Liposuction

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical method of suctioning fat deposits from particular body parts such as the hips, abdomen, thighs, back, buttocks, and the upper Arms. It is done using a hollow instrument known as a cannula that is inserted below the skin to disintegrate the fat. The surgeon then uses a high-pressure vacuum to suck out the fat. Liposuction is among the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States, with about 260,000 procedures done every year.

Why Liposuction is Performed

People undergo liposuction to enhance the contours or shape of their body. It is done to eliminate excess fat from different parts of the body after they have tried exercise and diet without success.

Liposuction is not a weight-loss panacea. It is essential to know that this procedure has possible complications and risks, so it is crucial to talk to your doctor before deciding to undergo liposuction.

Although liposuction is considered one of the most effective and safest cosmetic procedures, you can dramatically improve its results by taking proper preparatory steps. Here is what you need to do to prepare for liposuction.

Discuss Your Treatment Options

The first step you need to take is to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your suitability to the procedure, your expectations, and the recovery tips. Your doctor will collect crucial information to ascertain whether you are the right candidate for surgery. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend non-invasive treatment options instead. The doctor will then inspect the problem areas and create a proper plan to eliminate the excess fat for you to get the shape you desire. This visit will mark the beginning of all the preparatory steps you will take towards the big day.

Don’t Omit Vital Details

During your first consultation meeting with a qualified cosmetic surgeon, he or she will ask you lots of questions about your current health status, medical history, expectations for the procedure, and prior surgeries. It is vital that you thoroughly and truthfully respond to all these questions. Remember, the doctor will depend on this information to make crucial procedural decisions, and any incorrect information can have dire consequences. Remember, without your full medical history your doctor may not be able to prepare against all possible risk factors. And as a result, this may compromise the safety of the surgery and the expected results. So, be honest.

Lose Weight

You must understand that liposuction is not a weight loss alternative, and does not prevent you from gaining weight in the future. Thus, maintain your weight at or near your ideal level before going for surgery. Otherwise, you may end up seeing the results of surgery erased a short while after surgery when your weight is restored to where it was. The good news is that activities like plenty of exercise and eating a nutritious diet that can help you attain a stable and healthy weight loss are also the ones that prepare your body for proper recovery after lipo.

Quit Smoking

Scientists know that smoking before a surgical procedure increases your risks of bleeding, hampered healing, and a plethora of other complications. It reduces the blood flow in your circulatory system, thus hampering the body’s healing mechanism. So your doctor will certainly recommend that you quit smoking at least 30 days before undergoing any surgery.

Adjust Your Medications

There are myriad over-the-counter and prescription medications and supplements that can ensue problems during the production. These include medicines that:

• Increase blood clotting
• Prevent blood clotting
• Interfere with anesthesia

If you are using contraindicated prescription meds, during the initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss the safest options. This may mean leaving off the medication for a while or taking more precautions against their effects during surgery. However, don’t avoid taking your prescription drugs unless your surgeon explicitly advises you so.

A Day Before Surgery

There are certain things you need to do or avoid a couple of days before undergoing lipo.

• Fill your prescriptions–after liposuction, you will need to go straight home to take a rest. So it’s crucial to obtain your medicines before surgery to avoid any worries on your day of treatment.
• Avoid shaving–don’t shave the treatment area at least 48 hours before liposuction because this can cause ingrown hairs and increase the possibility of infection after surgery.
• Avoid tight clothing–obtain loose-fitting and comfortable clothes that you can wear on the appointed day. This will ensure you remain comfortable on your way back home after the surgery.
• Get a helper–ask a friend or a family member to help you out after surgery. Most probably your doctor will release you to go home on the same day after treatment. So you will need someone to accompany you for treatment and drive you back home because your doctor won’t even allow you to use public transportation on your way back, and you need to plan for this in advance.

Liposuction is a safe surgical procedure with minimal risks; however, you still need thorough preparation for this form of treatment. These preparations will ensure that you remain safe during surgery, and will help you heal faster after the procedure.