Liposuction

Liposuction uses a suction technique involving a small tube (referred to as a cannula) to remove fat from different areas of the body. The incisions required tend to be very small and this allows for minimal external scarring.

All surgeries have risks, including liposuction. However, liposuction is generally regarded as safe if it’s done in the proper setting by an experienced and licensed professional. Surgical risks or concerns will be discussed in more detail during your initial consultation. The procedure will be performed by our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Dreckmann, in an accredited surgical facility. Patient safety is of utmost importance to us and we take numerous precautions to ensure your surgical experience is a positive one.

A vast majority of patients are thrilled with their liposuction results and think the procedure is worth it. On RealSelf, liposuction has an 88% “Worth It” rating at the time of writing this article. Dr. Dreckmann specializes in liposuction and will go the extra mile to ensure the best liposuction results possible for her patients.

The fat cells removed by liposuction surgery are permanently removed. The number of fat cells in your body is finite, meaning your body will not create any additional fat cells. If you gain weight, it is a result of an increase in fat cell size. Not all fat cells will be removed from a given liposuction area during the procedure, so it is important to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to maintain your liposuction results.

Before the liposuction surgery starts, you will be put to sleep under general anesthesia so that you feel nothing during the procedure.

For the first few days, you will likely experience moderate pain and tenderness. Your surgeon will provide you with medication to help control the pain.

Between the first and third weeks after surgery, the pain should have largely subsided, although this differs from patient to patient. Most people are capable of returning to work after two weeks.

Somewhere between weeks 3 and 5, most patients should no longer feel any pain or soreness related to liposuction surgery.

After surgery, it is important to get up and walk around. This reduces the risk of blood clots. Strenuous activity should be avoided and you should get a family member or friend to help out with your recovery. A complimentary compression garment will be provided and it is essential to wear it properly and at all times (except for while showering/bathing) to reduce swelling, speed up recovery and maintain your body’s new shape.

During the first and second weeks, you will you still be required to wear your compression garment. Strenuous activity should still be avoided until the fourth to sixth week after surgery, or as advised by your doctor.

Dr. Dreckmann will provide you with a comprehensive list of post-operative instructions to promote the best possible liposuction results.

Liposuction, like any other surgery, comes with risks and potential complications. Some of these risks include, but are not limited to:

• Bruising or bleeding

• Changes in skin sensation

• Infection

• Damage to surrounding structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and organs

• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

• Abnormal body contours or asymmetrical results

• Changes in skin pigmentation

• Rippling, wrinkling or loose skin

• Swelling

Dr. Dreckmann will discuss surgical risks with you during your consultation.

Yes. Liposuction surgery permanently removes fat cells from the targeted area(s). Even though these cells are removed, however, growth of the remaining fat cells can still occur if a healthy diet and lifestyle are not maintained after the surgery.

The maximum amount of volume that can be removed during a single liposuction procedure is 5 liters. This is a combination of fat, fluids and other tissues. This would roughly equate to 5-10 pounds, but individual patients’ results may vary and there are no guarantees that any weight loss will occur.

Liposuction will not result in a dramatic loss of weight, and is primarily focused on body contouring.

In general, it can depend on several variables like surgical technique, genetics, liposuction area, skin elasticity and more. Some patients may lose two to four inches around the waist.

It depends on multiple factors, including the location and number of areas being treated and patient anatomy. Please see our map above for more detailed illustrations and time estimates based on anatomic area. Most procedures are usually completed within 3 hours.

Liposuction is not intended to serve as a weight loss procedure, but may provide a means for more targeted weight loss. Once you reach adulthood, there are a limited number of fat cells in the body, which grow or shrink as you gain or lose weight. When trying to lose weight, it can be difficult to target specific areas of fat while maintaining others. For instance you may want to reduce fat cells in your stomach without reducing fat cells in your breasts. Liposuction allows you to target stubborn areas of fat that seem unresponsive to diet and exercise. You should be near your ideal weight before getting liposuction.

Some things you should not do after liposuction surgery include:

• Exercise

• Remain stationary for extended period

• Drink Alcohol

• Gain weight

• Ignore your compression garment

• Fail to hydrate / eat high sodium foods

Complete post-op instructions will be provided after surgery, and must be adhered to for best liposuction results.

It varies. You may see your results immediately, while others may see liposuction results about 4 weeks after surgery. It can take up to 6-12 months to see your final liposuction results.

Some general tips to accelerate your liposuction recovery include:

• Maintain a healthy, proper diet

• Avoid being stationary for extended periods, and walk around, even in the first few days following surgery

• Avoid exercise, especially strenuous exercise for the first 4-6 weeks

• Stay well hydrated

• Wear your surgical compression garment, as directed by your doctor.

• Avoid soaking in water, like a bath or hot tub.

• Getting a lymphatic massage has shown to both accelerate recovery and reduce discomfort.

Liposuction alone will not keep your weight stable over time. The number of fat cells in your body remains relatively constant in adulthood. When you gain weight, your fat cells grow. When you get liposuction, fat cells are permanently removed. Fat within, as well as outside of the areas of liposuction can still grow over time and lead to weight gain.

Liposuction scars tend to be barely noticeable since very small incisions are used to remove the fat. Most scars fade or will disappear completely on their own. Liposuction scars can vary depending on the patient’s age, genetics and ethnicity, among other factors, and in some rare cases can become more prominent over time due to hyperpigmentation.

All surgeries have risks, including liposuction. However, liposuction is generally regarded as safe if it’s done in the proper setting by an experienced and licensed professional. Surgical risks or concerns will be discussed in more detail during your initial consultation. The procedure will be performed by our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Dreckmann, in an accredited surgical facility. Patient safety is of utmost importance to us and we take numerous precautions to ensure your surgical experience is a positive one.

Many patients have long-lasting results that never require revision. The removal of fat cells by liposuction is permanent. However, the surgical results may change over time due to things like aging and weight gain. While fat cells are permanently removed, some fat cells will still remain at the liposuction areas and will still grow if gaining weight.

Liposuction can be done twice in the same area, but it is up to the discretion of your plastic surgeon to see if you are eligible and that you stand to benefit from a second liposuction surgery in that area. Your surgeon may also suggest technology-assisted advanced liposuction techniques, such as ultrasound-assisted liposuction, to help break down previously formed scar tissue.

Usually if there is excess or sagging skin that needs to be removed, then a tummy tuck is the correct procedure. Liposuction focuses on targeted fat removal to contour the body’s shape but does not remove any excess skin. It is often recommended to combine both liposuction and a tummy tuck for optimal aesthetic results.

Dr. Dreckmann will be happy to discuss plastic surgery options to fit your needs with a free consultation.