Fat reduction is an interesting prospect. Many men and women want to eliminate stubborn fat and yet, despite their best efforts, fat remains a persistent problem in one or more areas of the body. For lasting refinement without the hassle, consider how liposuction may be useful to your goal of a better body.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction body-contouring is one of the leading techniques in cosmetic surgery. The manual extraction of excess fat cells may be facilitated by different modalities, such as tumescent fluid or ultrasound technology. Whichever technique Dr. Krummen selects, she carefully plans surgery to remove fat in such a way that it improves body proportions and symmetry.
Candidates For Fat Removal Surgery
Liposuction is advantageous for men and women who no longer want to struggle with stubborn fat in one or more areas of their body. Patients who have a good self-image prior to surgery tend to be the happiest with the results from liposuction or other cosmetic surgery. It is important to have realistic expectations of what is possible with this procedure. Liposuction is not a method of weight loss; it is for the improvement of contours and body proportions.
Liposuction Treatment Areas
Most patients undergoing liposuction treatment do so intending to achieve a more contoured appearance. Common treatment areas include the:
- Stomach
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Back
- Thighs and knees
- Back of the arms
- Chest
- Chin and neck
Is Liposuction a Good Way to Lose Weight?
No. Liposuction does work by removing excess fatty tissue, but it is not considered a weight loss solution. This procedure is conducted for body contouring goals. At the most, it may remove about six to 10 pounds of fat from a larger area or from multiple areas. This is not enough to make much of a difference on your scale. It is enough, however, to make a nice difference in your appearance.
How Do I Prepare for Liposuction?
As a part of your presurgical intake, Dr. Krummen may recommend that you schedule a general physical exam with your primary care doctor. The purpose of the pre-surgical physical is to ensure that you can safely undergo general anesthesia, and, if relevant, are not pregnant. Additionally, to boost your body's healing capacity and infection-fighting abilities, it can be beneficial to follow a very healthy diet as you look forward to surgery. Consuming lean protein and an abundance of leafy green vegetables helps fortify the building blocks for tissue repair. If you smoke, you must stop several weeks before surgery. Dr. Krummen may also advise you to avoid nicotine and various substances that can thin your blood.
In addition to preparing your body for surgery and recovery, you begin planning your transportation to and from the surgery center, time off work, and a comfortable area in your home in which you can recover in peace.
When Can I Return to Work After Liposuction?
You can expect to be able to return to work within a week of your liposuction procedure. Depending on the size or number of areas you've had treated, you may feel well enough to go to work two to three days after surgery! Dr. Krummen may discuss her recommendations with you during your consultation so you can plan accordingly. Keep in mind that your return to work may also depend on the nature of your job. You may need more time off if your job is physically demanding.
What Can I Do to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction?
Compression can be an advantageous aspect of your post-op care. The use of a good compression garment holds the surgical site secure, which can improve comfort, reduce bruising, and also help manage swelling. In addition to wearing compression as directed, you may apply ice packs to the surgical area as needed. This, too, can help with swelling and comfort at the same time. Finally, if you're concerned about too much swelling after liposuction, you can tailor your diet to limit your salt intake until you're post-op side effects have resolved.
Can Liposuction Tighten Sagging Skin?
Liposuction does not tighten the skin. In fact, because some of your skin's contouring comes from the volume created by fatty tissue, there is a possibility that loose skin may look worse after liposuction. The benefit of seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon for liposuction treatment is that they can discuss how to manage the issue of the skin well before surgery. Depending on the area of focus, you may be a good candidate for surgical skin-tightening, such as abdominoplasty, a neck lift, or another procedure. Dr. Krummen also performs nonsurgical skin tightening using the Plasma Pen, a proven form of fibroblast therapy.
Diet And Exercise Vs Liposuction
While many people tend to believe that liposuction is used as an alternative to diet and exercise, that is simply not true. Liposuction fat removal is performed on patients who are around ideal body weight for their age, gender, and height. In fact, the amount of fat removed during liposuction is limited to a surprising minuscule amount. The fat that is removed during the procedure comes from fatty deposits that the patient struggles to naturally lose. We would never recommend that surgical fat removal is used in place of a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Liposuction Procedure
Typically, before the liposuction procedure begins, Dr. Krummen will mark the treatment area with patient input. During the planning phase of treatment, you will discuss the type of anesthesia that will be administered during surgery. Some procedures are performed with general anesthesia, while others may be conducted using a tumescent technique and IV sedation combined with local anesthesia.
Once Dr. Krummen numbs the treatment area, she performs liposuction through small incisions. Tumescent fluid or another therapeutic modality breaks down fat prior to extraction to ease trauma on surrounding tissue. We remove the fat through a small cannula, or tube, which we collect in a sterile container. Throughout the process, Dr. Krummen evaluates the treatment area for refined contouring.
Liposuction Results
As healing progresses, the new curves and slimmer circumference of the treatment area becomes more noticeable. One of the benefits of liposuction is that the results we achieve through surgery can be nearly permanent, maintained with healthy eating and exercise habits. As the body ages, skin laxity may slightly alter the appearance of the body as a whole.
Recovery From Surgical Fat Removal
Every patient has a unique recovery from liposuction. In general, post-surgical comfort improves significantly in the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment. It is important to take prescription pain medication as directed for the first few days after surgery. After that time, discomfort may include tenderness and soreness that continually improve over a few weeks.
Patients should expect bruising and swelling. Dr. Krummen may apply a compression garment or tape as a form of management to assist with these side effects. The patient may have to wear the garment for up to six weeks. Drains may also be in the surgical incisions to facilitate the seepage of fluid from tissue.
Alternatives To Liposuction Fat Removal
We can perform the liposuction procedure alone or in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures. For instance, this can include:
There are now non-surgical body-contouring options available. In our Cincinnati office, we rely on liposuction for fat reduction because this method continues to be the gold standard for optimal results.
Risks Of Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction carries the anesthesia risks of other surgeries, including:
- Scarring
- Poor wound healing
- Pigmentation irregularities
- Asymmetry
- Worsened appearance of cellulite
- Loose or rippled skin
As we discuss the reasons for and details of the liposuction procedure that is right for you, we provide comprehensive information about the overall risks and safety of this beneficial surgery.
Schedule A Consultation
Isn’t it high time that you get the body you want? Contact our Cincinnati office to schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Donna Krummen. Call 513.985.0850 or click here to send our talented staff an Appointment Request Form. We look forward to serving you!
