What is Liposuction?
Liposuction can treat stubborn fat deposits to slim and recontour specific areas of your body. Common areas treated include thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, back, inner knee, and neck. Liposuction can be added to abdominoplasty and other surgical procedures for optimal results. Unfortunately, liposuction does not treat or change cellulite, or any loose skin. Ideally you have maximized results from diet and exercise prior to the procedure, and liposuction will treat remaining fat deposits.
Liposuction can be performed with other procedures, at the same time, to optimize contour and results. When desired, purified fat can be added (grafted) in different areas to recontour or add volume, for example in the cheeks, lips, or buttocks.
How does Liposuction Work?
You will see Dr. Yee right before surgery and the areas to be treated will be marked with a surgical marker. Depending on the location and extent of the liposuction, you might have sedation or full general anesthesia. Liposuction is performed through small incisions; diluted local anesthetic (numbing medicine) is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma, and then a thin hollow instrument is inserted to loosen excess fat. The smaller fat particles are then removed, as the instrument is attached to a surgical vacuum.
Your body responds to surgery by swelling, so you might not notice any change in weight or contour right away. The compression garments help to resolve the swelling faster, however it may be several weeks before you notice a difference in how your clothes fit.
What is Recovery Like?
When possible, compression garments should be worn around the area to help reduce swelling and bruising. You should have someone stay with you afterwards, as you might need help the first few times you get out of bed. You can gradually increase your activities to pre-surgical levels starting after the second week.
To determine if liposuction is right for you, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Yee.