Liposuction and tummy tuck results are not only about the procedure itself, but also about your lifestyle after the surgery. This is why we recommend that you fully understand what to expect before you make a decision on whether or not to have liposuction or a tummy tuck.
Liposuction is a great way to sculpt your body and get rid of unwanted fat deposits. However, if you do not follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly after your surgery, then there is a chance that you will see some of your results disappear over time. The same can be said for tummy tucks; if you do not maintain a healthy lifestyle after surgery then there is a possibility that some of your results may fade as well.
It’s important that you take care of yourself before and after surgery so that both procedures will give you optimal results in the long run!
Right here on Cosmeticsurgerytips, you are privy to a litany of relevant information on liposuction side effects, lipo after tummy tuck before and after, liposuction after tummy tuck cost, and so much more. Take out time to visit our catalog for more information on similar topics.
Liposuction And Tummy Tuck Results
You’ve spent hours in the gym and carefully count every calorie, but your most stubborn fat cells refuse to budge. No amount of dieting or exercises focused on “spot reducing” trouble areas are giving you the slim figure you desire, so what can you do? At Houston Center for Plastic Surgery, we offer liposuction to help you achieve that smoother, leaner figure you’ve worked so hard for. Liposuction can dramatically reduce persistent pockets of fat while sculpting and redefining your body profile. Thanks to its effectiveness, versatility, and minimal downtime, liposuction is consistently one of the top three cosmetic procedures performed in the United States each year.
While liposuction may seem like the perfect fix for your problem spots, not everyone is a good candidate for the procedure. Men and women who want to create a smoother, leaner body contour via cosmetic surgery must consult with a trained and experienced surgeon to determine whether liposuction is an appropriate option for them, and if so, which treatment method will provide the most desirable results.
You May Be A Good Candidate For Liposuction If…
- You are at a Healthy Weight – Liposuction is most effective for patients who are at a stable, healthy weight. Despite popular perception, liposuction is not a method for weight loss. You must have a BMI of under 30 and if you are in the process of losing weight, be about 15 pounds from your goal. The procedure is designed to contour your body by eliminating isolated pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise, not to remove a large volume of fat for weight loss purposes.
- You Exercise & Maintain A Healthy Diet – Liposuction is not a shortcut to your ideal body shape or a substitute for diet and exercise. The procedure does eliminate fat cells in the targeted areas, but it is possible for the remaining cells in the treatment area to get larger if weight gain occurs after liposuction (though the overall improvement in contour will remain). It is important to stay committed to a healthy fitness and nutrition regimen following the procedure in order to maximize your results.
- You Are Not A Smoker – Tobacco use can increase the risk for complications during and after surgery. Smoking cigarettes, including e-cigarettes, causes vasoconstriction – a narrowing of the blood vessels that disrupts normal circulation to the tissues. This can lead to poor healing, longer recovery times, and excessive scarring. Liposuction patients who currently smoke should stop for several weeks prior to surgery, or simply quit altogether.
- You Have Realistic Expectations & Goals – Although liposuction can provide substantial improvements, those who view it as a “magic bullet” may be disappointed to find that it cannot completely alter your body shape or lead to dramatic weight loss. Good candidates for liposuction understand that the treatment is only used to target specific problem areas and improve body contour irregularities. Ideal candidates also acknowledge that the procedure is not a quick-fix, but rather a single tool in a broader strategy for overall health and wellness.
You May Not Be A Good Candidate For Liposuction If…
- You Have Loose Skin – Though liposuction can be performed on men and women of any age, the best results are seen in younger patients with good skin tone and elasticity. Skin that lacks elasticity may not shrink to fit the new body contour following liposuction, resulting in a slightly wrinkled or “crepey” appearance. Other options may be more appropriate for patients seeking to tighten loose skin after significant weight loss. Liposuction may also be combined with other cosmetic procedures to address both body contouring and skin tightening once you have reached your weight loss goals.
- You’re Hoping To Get Rid Of Cellulite – Liposuction is not a solution for eliminating cellulite. In some cases, liposuction can worsen the appearance of cellulite by removing the cushion of fat underneath the skin, causing additional dimpling.
- You Take Anticoagulants – Individuals who take anticoagulant medication or other drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin or NSAIDs, are unlikely to be good candidates for liposuction. Substances that can impair the blood from clotting can typically pose a risk for surgery of any kind.
- You Have A Serious, Chronic Health Condition – Undergoing liposuction with a life-threatening illness or serious medical condition increases the risk of complications and can impair healing. As with other surgical procedures, good health is essential for optimal results. A past medical history of immunodeficiency disorders, seizure disorders, cardiac arrhythmias, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary emboli may make liposuction inadvisable.
Liposuction Treatment Options
At Houston Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Norman Rappaport offers three different liposuction techniques in order to better serve the unique needs of each patient, including:
Tumescent Liposuction – Before fat removal, a saltwater solution containing small amounts of adrenaline and a local anesthetic is injected into the area targeted for treatment. This fluid allows fat to be removed more easily, reduces bleeding during the procedure, numbs the area, and diminishes bruising during healing.
Power-Assisted Liposuction – This technique uses a vibrating cannula to loosen the fat cells before suction, requiring less force during removal, especially in more fibrous tissue. The result is not only more efficient, but also produces less trauma to the surrounding tissue, leading to a quicker and more comfortable recovery.
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction – Also referred to as liposculpture or VASER, this two-step technique uses energy from sound waves to liquefy fat cells and visualize the treatment area for more precise results. Like power-assisted liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction allows for easier fat removal, less trauma to the area, and a shortened recovery period.
Patient 1 (Liposuction To The Abdomen and Waist.)
This is a young woman shown before and after liposuction to the abdomen and waist.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 2 (Liposuction Abdomen & Waist Before & After Photo)
This young woman wanted to improve the contour of her abdomen and waist. General anesthesia is not required for procedures like this, and you can expect to be back at work in about two days – weekend recovery is a popular option.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 3 (Liposuction Before and After Photos of Abdomen & Chest)
This gentleman wanted to improve the contour of his abdomen and chest. We achieved this result with gynecomastia reduction, liposuction, and radiofrequency skin tightening with BodyTite. This kind of procedure can be performed on a Friday so you can be back at work on Monday.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 4 (Liposuction Before and After Photos of Neck)
This patient did not like the appearance of her neck in profile. We achieved this result with 30 minutes of liposuction and radio frequency energy under local anesthesia.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 6 (Liposuction Before and After Photo of Love Handles)
This is a fit young woman who didn’t like her love handles. This result was achieved with 30 minutes of liposuction under local anesthesia.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 8 (Liposuction Before and After Photos of Outer Thighs)
This is a young woman before and after liposuction to outer thighs.
Individual results may vary.
Patient 25
This is a woman shown before and just a few weeks after liposuction of the arms. Her results will continue to improve as her swelling resolves.
Individual results may vary.
Liposuction Side Effects
From flaunting perfectly flat tummies poolside to flexing flawless abs in the gym mirrors, thanks to celebrities and your favorite social media influencers, #FitnessGoals have a whole new meaning!
With the constant pressure to look your best, everyone seems to be in search of perfection. While many are willing to bust a serious sweat, others are looking for instant gratification. After all, results are better, right? Possibly, but like anything in life that comes easy, there’s a catch.
Many years ago, plastic and reconstructive surgery (which includes liposuction) was Hollywood’s best-kept secret to perfection, but in 2019, more celebrities are using social media to be open and honest about the changes that they have made to improve their bodies, and in some cases their health.
In light of this truth, we’ve decided to dive into liposuction to share what it is and how it works for weight loss along with revealing liposuction side effects that many don’t consider before getting the surgical procedure.
What is liposuction?
According to Medical News Today, “Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, liposculpture suction, lipectomy, or lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and ‘sucks’ fat from the body.” Although there are people that opt for liposuction due to health concerns, for the most part, vanity sends people to board-certified surgeons for liposuction. Why, you may be asking? Well, simply because it is considered a quick fix to removing excess fat from areas of the body that won’t respond to diet and exercise. FYI: These areas include the abdomen, thighs and other places that people see fat as unflattering.
How long do the effects of liposuction last?
According to Your.md, “The final results of liposuction are generally long-lasting if you maintain a healthy weight.” The publication also notes that the results of the procedure are not always noticeable right away. In fact, you often have to wait until the swelling from the surgery has gone down, taking away from the instant gratification feeling. “It can take up to six months for the area to settle completely. During this time you might notice some changes and subtle differences to the area.”
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
Contrary to many people’s initial thoughts about liposuction surgery, you can’t have all the fat removed in one procedure. “The maximum amount of fat that can be removed safely is probably about 6 to 8 pounds (3 to 4 liters). The greater the volume of fat removed on a single day the greater the risk of serious complications.” It is suggested that “if a patient requires removal of more than 6 to 8 pounds of fat, it is safest to divide the liposuction into separate surgical procedures each separated by 3 to 4 weeks.”
Typical Liposuction Recovery?
Recovery time can vary from person to person. According to MedicineNet.com, “You might not have to stay in the hospital depending on the type of surgery you had. But you should expect bruising, swelling, and soreness for at least a few weeks.” There is a chance that your surgeon could “require you to wear a compression garment for 1 to 2 months after surgery to control swelling,” and you will “probably also have to take some antibiotics to prevent infection.” Most commonly, “people can return to work within a few days and get back to normal activities within 2 weeks.”
Is Liposuction Painful?
Typically, the pain felt after liposuction surgery will be the most intense two to four days after the procedure, then gradually lessens. According to Very Well Health, that all depends on the “type of anesthesia and the amount used determine the level of pain experienced during the first few days after liposuction.” Here’s their explanation: “Liposuction performed with intravenous sedation (IV) will result in less post-operative pain and rarely requires medication other than acetaminophen.” On the other hand, “Liposuction performed under general anesthesia usually results in pain that is more intense that requires prescribed pain medication.”
While the cosmetic procedure has been phenomenal for some, there are others that have experienced catastrophic results. Many plastic surgeries can go off without a hitch, but there is always the chance that things can go awry on the operating table with life-altering complications that can possibly lead to death.
We compiled a list of liposuction side effects you should consider before going under the knife or needle, including dangerous blood clots.
1. BODY DEFORMITY
Uneven fat removal, poor skin elasticity or unusual healing can cause the skin to look bumpy or wavy. Damage beneath the skin from the tube (cannula) used during liposuction procedures can leave the skin with a permanent spotted appearance. According to the Mayo Clinic, these results can be indefinite.
2. ACCUMULATION OF FLUIDS
Pockets of fluid (seromas) can form under the skin. Luckily, the fluid can be drained with a needle.
3. SKIN INFECTIONS
There is a possibility that while getting liposuction surgery, you can contract severe skin infection that may be life threatening.
4. PUNCTURING OF INTERNAL ORGANS
The tube (cannula) used to extract the fat from the body could penetrate too deeply and puncture an internal organ, which may require emergency surgical repair.
5. FAT OBSTRUCTING ARTERIES
Loosened pieces of fat may break away and become trapped in a blood vessel, gather in the lungs or travel to the brain. A fat embolism is a medical emergency.
6. KIDNEY, HEART AND LUNG PROBLEMS
You can risk life-threatening kidney, heart and lung problems because of the drastic change in fluid levels in the body during the surgical procedure.
7. LIDOCAINE TOXICITY
Lidocaine is an anesthetic (painkiller) administered with fluids injected during liposuction to help manage pain. Although generally safe, in rare circumstances, lidocaine toxicity can occur, causing serious heart and central nervous system problems.
Before getting surgery, be sure that you have proper consultation by visiting a therapist or your medical doctor. Always check for references, and be sure that you are willing to live with the changes you make, whether they are good or bad.