How To Prepare For Liposuction
In recent years, liposuction has become a popular procedure among plastic surgeons to help people get back the body they’ve lost over a period of years through trimming fat from certain areas of the body. At the offices of Dr. Steven Warnock, liposuction is performed regularly and safely with excellent results.
Here are a few steps that are commonly recommended.
General Health
It’s best to undergo liposuction during a period of general health in your life, and you’ll have to sign a consent form. Some people think they need to go on a crash diet beforehand, or need to work extra long hours in preparation for time spent away from work. In reality, these kinds of practices can make you weaker and less healthy, and this can lengthen your recovery process and limit the effectiveness of the treatments.
Smoking
Down similar lines, your surgeon will absolutely recommend that you quit smoking before a liposuction procedure, often at least two months in advance. Smoking can directly interfere with the safety and efficacy of the procedure, and of course does not contribute in any positive way to good health.
Medications
There may be certain medications you’ll be told not to take, particularly aspirin or other medication that might slow down the blood clotting process. Since liposuction is a surgical procedure, the blood’s ability to clot is vital for safety. Vitamin E supplements may also affect blood clotting, so ask your surgeon about your approach if you take these.
How To Prepare For Liposuction
Lipo surgery ranges from minor to major surgery depending on what area of your body is involved and how much fat is being removed. However, even a little bit of lipoplasty requires preparation to ensure your procedure goes as well as possible. You should also plan in advance for your recovery period to make sure you have everything you need. Here are some tips that may help you prepare for lipo surgery:
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, and it does not prevent future weight gain. This means you should be maintaining your weight at or near the level you consider ideal before you go in for liposuction. Otherwise, you could see your surgical results erased in a few months when your weight cycles up again. Fortunately, activities like eating a nutritious diet and getting plenty of exercise that lead to healthy, stable weight loss are also those that make your body ready for a smooth recovery after lipo.
Smoking is one of the primary reasons for liposuction surgery complications. When you smoke, you are depriving your tissues of oxygen. The effects of smoking delay wound healing and increase your chances of tissue death and excessive scarring. It’s best to quit smoking permanently. But you should at least stop well in advance of your procedure and only start up again once you are healed.
There is a whole laundry list of prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements that can cause problems during lipo surgery. These include drugs that:
If you are on prescription medications that are contraindicated during liposuction, your cosmetic surgeon and your doctor can discuss the safest option. This may involve taking you off the medication temporarily or taking extra precautions against side effects during surgery. Don’t stop taking your prescription medications unless you are advised to do so by your surgeon.
Your plastic surgeon should give you a list of the supplies you will need to prepare for lipo surgery and to keep on hand during your recovery. You may be instructed to purchase wound care items such as:
Of course, you will need to take good care of both your body and mind during liposuction recovery. This means you should have everything you want within easy reach of your bed or couch (wherever you plan to spend most of your recovery time). This may include:
Your surgeon may ask you to buy a particular brand of antibacterial soap to bathe with for a few days before your procedure. This kills off staph bacteria on your skin and reduces the risk of infection. Your surgeon will give you helpful tips on what to wear to your surgery (loose clothing you can easily get on and off). You will want to make sure your hair is clean since you might not be able to wash it again for a while. Be sure to follow all instructions about when to stop eating since you will be under anesthesia. Remove nail polish from your fingers and toes so the anesthesiologist can easily see your nail beds. This is one way they monitor your oxygen levels during lipo surgery. Have the person who is driving you home carry any items you will need. That way, you don’t have to worry about leaving something at the hospital or surgical center.
can i drink water before liposuction
Individuals with healthy, stable weight will usually make appropriate candidates for liposuction. The cosmetic surgeon will assess the skin quality prior to the procedure to determine candidacy. If skin elasticity is poor, liposuction may have to be performed in conjunction with a body lift procedure. Dr. Paul McCluskey is a leading plastic surgeon providing liposuction to patients in Atlanta, GA and surrounding locations.
Avoid Fad Diet Programs and Maintain Stable Weight
Prior to liposuction surgery, it is essential that you maintain a healthy and stable weight, which can be sustained in the longer run. However, do not choose a fad diet, whether HCG or others, to clear your candidacy for liposuction.
Follow a balanced diet and an active lifestyle with regular exercises under the guidance of an instructor. That will improve your fitness level, make you a good candidate for liposuction, and support faster recovery and reduced risk of complications.
Protect against Direct Sun Exposure and Use Sunscreen
Sun damage is a common problem, which can hamper the creation of ideal outcomes with liposuction surgery. Sun exposure can also cause the skin to become loose over time, which will make liposuction less effective. In fact, if skin laxity is high, liposuction may only worsen the appearance of the treated area.
Use a sunscreen everyday to protect the skin against harmful UV rays. Exercise more caution in the weeks preceding liposuction procedure. The cosmetic surgeon will give post-operative instructions about protecting the treated area against sun exposure for several weeks or months.
Follow a Healthy Diet, Regular Exercise, and Reduce Stress
Follow a healthy diet plan, preferably under the guidance of a nutritionist before and after liposuction. Increase the intake of lean proteins in your diet, which will support faster healing. Maintain a regular exercise and fitness regimen, which will keep your skin more elastic and supple and help to achieve better results with liposuction.
Learn as much as you can about liposuction in advance. This will reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Seek emotional support of your friends and family to make your liposuction journey smoother.
Consider Lymphatic Massage after Surgery
Inquire with your plastic surgeon well before the liposuction about lymphatic massage or other alternative procedures after the surgery. Healthy and scientific massage along with manual drainage will promote faster healing and enhanced aesthetic results.
A more natural, healthy healing will restore skin glow and softness of the skin in the treated area. Swelling will subside faster and improvements in the skin will reveal early.
Follow Post-Op Care Instructions Diligently
Follow the surgeon’s instructions carefully with regard to wearing of compression garments, performing mild walking in the home, gradual resumption of light exercises, and limitations regarding lifting of weights.
Rest adequately and do not return to work earlier than what the surgeon advises. Empty the drains as instructed and keep the incision area clean to minimize the risk of infection. Dr. McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, GA and nearby areas for liposuction.
how to lose weight before liposuction
More than likely, you’ve heard of liposuction and know at least a little bit about it. For example, you’re probably familiar with liposuction as an efficient and effective way to instantly remove fat from the body. However, you may be surprised to discover some of the other compelling aspects of the procedure, including how it works, how long your results may last, and where it can be used. Another important consideration when it comes to liposuction is how much weight a patient can expect to lose after surgery. Find the answers to all of these questions about Beverly Hills liposuction and more using this helpful information from internationally recognized board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz.
What is liposuction?
Before determining whether or not liposuction is right for you, and whether or not you should lose weight before surgery, it is important to understand the basics of the procedure. Generally speaking, liposuction is a minimally invasive fat removal surgery that utilizes advanced suction technology to eliminate fat cells from various parts of the body. In addition to primary fat removal, liposuction is also a valuable tool in more fat transfer procedures, such as the Brazilian butt lift, which involve taking fat from one area of the body and injecting it to augment another feature. Dr. Schwartz is proud to offer a variety of innovative and exciting liposuction options in Beverly Hills, including traditional liposuction, VASER high def liposuction, and more.
Where can you get liposuction?
The beauty of liposuction is that it can basically be used from head to toe! Dr. Schwartz has extensive experience in utilizing liposuction for even the most precise and delicate procedures and can help patients realize a dramatic improvement in areas they might not have thought were possible! Some of the most common areas where patients receive liposuction include:
How much weight can I lose with liposuction?
A common misconception about liposuction is that it will help you lose weight. In reality, liposuction is not a weight loss tool and is not a substitute for weight loss. Instead, liposuction is designed to permanently eliminate small to moderate clusters of stubborn fat that has become unresponsive to traditional diet and exercise methods. Some patients certainly do shed a few pounds after liposuction, but the majority of the results are visible on the body rather than on the scale. In many cases, achieving a slimmer figure and better self-confidence after liposuction actually catapults patients into living a healthier and more active lifestyle over all, which ultimately results in further weight loss.
Do you have to lose weight before liposuction?
It may seem like losing as much weight as possible right before liposuction is a good idea, but this can actually hinder your progress and compromise your results. Crash dieting and other quick weight loss strategies typically result in all the weight – and more – coming back, meaning the results of your liposuction may disappear quickly. If you are considering liposuction in Beverly Hills, it is critical that you are at or near your goal weight. You should have also been able to maintain that weight for at least 6-12 months prior to liposuction.
Weight loss has countless advantages in terms of improving your health and overall quality of life, so overweight patients are always encouraged to get their weight to a healthy and stable number with a balanced diet and regular fitness regimen, whether or not they are considering liposuction.
If weight, excess skin, cellulite, or stretch marks are your primary concern, talk to Dr. Schwartz about what procedures – complementary to liposuction – may be the best fit to help you achieve the body of your dreams.
Is liposuction permanent?
Believe it or not, the fat cells that are removed during liposuction are permanently gone and will never return! However, remaining fat cells can increase in size – and new fat cells can even be generated – with future weight gain. Without a doubt, the most crucial part of maintaining liposuction results for as long as possible is to stay at a stable, healthy weight and avoid weight fluctuation.
Slim, trim, nip, and tuck with liposuction in Beverly Hills
If you are at a healthy weight but frustrated by stubborn fat that won’t seem to respond to diet and exercise, liposuction is likely the solution you’ve been desperate to find. Call our friendly team to schedule your private liposuction consultation in Beverly Hills with internationally renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz today, and find out how a stunning, striking, sculpted physique can finally be yours!
what to buy before liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most common procedures performed by plastic surgeons these days. At Ver Halen Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in Colleyville, TX, our team knows just how important it is to help our patients prepare for their procedures and the following recovery period. Let’s discuss some of the most important steps you can take to make your experience as simple as possible.
How Do You Prepare for Liposuction?
As body sculpting procedures have become more common, and the technology used to perform them has gotten more advanced, these procedures have become far less invasive than they once were. Nevertheless, patients need to understand that any medical procedure of this type still requires careful preparation and planning.
Speak With Your Doctor About Your Care Plan
In general, your doctor will create a detailed care plan for you to put into place months before your procedure takes place. This is because it takes time to get your body ready by eliminating certain prescription medications, excess vitamins, and other things from your system. In addition, your doctor may recommend dietary changes to help you prepare for lipo.
Make Sure Your Doctor Has the Vital Information
Your doctor should have requested your complete medical history during the consultation phase. However, they may request additional blood tests or other updated medical information in the weeks before your procedure. This is done to ensure that your body is in good shape and ready to handle the demands of the recovery period.
Stop Smoking at Least 2 Weeks Before Your Procedure
Quitting smoking is hard, but it is absolutely essential to making a timely recovery. Smoking reduces the oxygen flow through your body, which means that your cells cannot rebuild themselves quickly. By quitting smoking several weeks in advance, your body will begin to increase the oxygen flow to all of your cells for a faster recovery window.
Avoid Anti-Inflammatories and Over-the-Counter Supplements
Anti-inflammatory drugs and many supplements increase bleeding and prevent your blood from clotting properly after your procedure is done. Your doctor will help you to adjust any prescription medications or regular treatments that you are taking to ensure that the offending chemicals are out of your body in plenty of time for your body to recover.
Get Plenty of Rest
While lipo is fairly non-invasive these days, it can still be quite taxing on your body. It is important to make sure you get plenty of rest in the days leading up to your procedure so that you won’t be exhausted when the procedure is done.
Get House and Office Work Done in Advance
Even with a perfect procedure, your body will still require some rest in the days that follow your procedure. You should plan on taking a few days of downtime without any strenuous activity. If possible, make sure that you have any housework or office work completed in advance and have a few meals already prepared so you won’t have to cook.
Stock Up on Everything You Need While You’re Down
You don’t want to wait until after the operation to discover that you’re bored at home. Instead, make sure you have entertainment, healthy snacks, and any medication prescribed by your doctor to get you through the first few days. The less running around you do, the faster you will make your recovery.
Arrange for Transportation
Since liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure, you will only receive local anesthesia at the site of the liposuction treatment. However, it is still a good idea to have someone available to drive you to and from your treatment because you will be sore and you don’t want to strain yourself trying to drive. Most treatments take less than 3 hours to complete, so you can plan ahead.
Talk to Your Doctor About What Comes Next
Fat removal is extremely effective at helping patients reclaim their bodies and feel better. However, it is not a permanent solution on its own. In order to maintain your newly sculpted body, your doctor should provide you with a detailed diet and exercise plan that you can stick to. Ideally, your doctor will have already gotten you started on some of these changes before your surgery takes place to help you ease into the changes.
On the Day of the Procedure
Avoid Lotions and Other Chemicals on Your Skin
While most of the steps to prepare you for body sculpting are done weeks or days in advance, but there are still a few things you need to do the morning of your procedure. For instance, make sure that you don’t apply any lotions or other skin care products to the treatment areas as this will cause complications with the lipo equipment and could cause skin irritation post-treatment.
Don’t Shave
You might be embarrassed to show up for your appointment with a little bit of stubble, but it is best not to shave up to two days before your procedure. This is because shaving can irritate the skin and cause ingrown hairs, which become possible sites for infection during recovery.
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
Depending on which areas of your body are receiving treatment, you may find that regular clothes rub against the treatment site. To prevent this, plan on wearing loose-fitting clothes that can be easily adjusted to avoid irritation.
Schedule Your Follow-Up
Most doctors conduct a follow-up exam of the treatment area a few days after the procedure to monitor healing. It is usually best to schedule this appointment before the procedure because you may be too tired or distracted afterward to remember. Your doctor will also give you detailed information about any signs that you should watch out for in the first few days at home.
What to Expect
Knowing what to expect from your fat removal procedure will help you plan accordingly and make adjustments for proper healing. Here are a few things that you should expect from your procedure and in the days that follow:
The Day of Your Appointment
As mentioned above, most procedures are completed in less than three hours. However, you will need to plan for an extra hour or so to get checked in, changed into surgical clothes, and complete the requisite bloodwork and any other medical tests before the procedure begins. Your doctor will also ask you a few questions about how you are feeling and if you have any concerns before you begin.
During the Procedure
You will be awake during the liposuction procedure. Since this liposuction procedure does not require large incisions or needles, you will receive only localized anesthesia at the site of the treatment to reduce soreness. If you are having multiple areas treated, or if you are combining lipo with other treatments, your doctor will walk you through the steps as each area is treated.