Liposuction is one of the top five surgical cosmetic procedures with over 220,000 procedures performed annually. The liposuction procedure is safe and effective.
How can you know if liposuction is right for you? Are you a good candidate for this procedure? What is the recovery like? What does the procedure entail?
Sanchez Plastic Surgery is one of the most trusted places to get plastic surgery procedures in Baton Rouge. If you’re looking to get liposuction in Baton Rouge, we can answer all your questions and get you set up with a consultation and appointment.
Keep reading to learn more about liposuction and whether it’s right for you.
What Is Liposuction?
Before you can know whether liposuction is right for you, you need to be fully informed about what it is. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that breaks up stubborn fat from under the skin and suctions it out.
This procedure gets rid of stubborn fat that won’t go away with nutrition, diet, or exercise. It’s also known as lipo, lipoplasty, lipectomy, and liposculpture suction.
This is not a treatment for weight loss. In fact, most people who get liposuction are already at a healthy or ideal weight.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Generally, the liposuction procedure uses a tool called a cannula to suction the fat from your body. Besides this general description, there are a few different techniques your doctor can choose to perform.
Some doctors choose to use lasers or ultrasound waves to break up the fat before they suction it out. These techniques are “laser-assisted” or “ultrasound-assisted” liposuction, respectively.
The most common method of liposuction at Sanchez Plastic Surgery is “tumescent liposuction.” Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from this liposuction treatment.
First, you’ll go under general anesthesia. Then the doctor injects the treated area with a saline solution that contains a local anesthetic (like lidocaine) and epinephrine.
This solution minimizes bleeding, reduces post-surgical pain, and prevents bruising.
Once the doctor injects the solution, the thin surgical vacuum called a cannula goes into the treated area. This suctions out the fat cells.
Are You a Good Liposuction Candidate?
Many people believe that liposuction is an alternative to dieting and exercise. However, this is not the case. Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment option.
Candidates for liposuction treatment are usually at an ideal or healthy weight before getting treatment. Good candidates for liposuction are those who have tried diet and exercise but still cannot lose fat from certain areas.
Candidates should also be healthy and free of serious heart or blood problems, as these can cause problems during surgery.
Good candidates should also have healthy, elastic skin that is not sagging or unhealthy. This is important during recovery.
It’s also important to keep in mind the things that liposuction won’t do. As we said, liposuction isn’t for those who are overweight and looking for a quick weight loss method. Liposuction also won’t help you get rid of cellulite.
Common Areas Treated
While liposuction can remove fat from most areas on the body, there are certain areas that tend to be more common. People tend to hold excess fat deposits in particular areas, which is why these areas are most commonly treated during liposuction procedures.
These areas include:
- Back
- Thighs
- Tummy
- Hips
- Face
- Buttocks
- Arms
Speak with your doctor at a liposuction consultation to create a personalized treatment plan tailored for you and your body. Each procedure needs to be tailored to the patient since everyone’s amount of fat, placement of fat, and body is different.
Liposuction Recovery
Liposuction is a surgical procedure, which can take a serious toll on your body. While it is an outpatient procedure, you still might feel fatigued or sore after surgery for at least a week or two.
During the procedure, you’ll be under general anesthesia, so you’ll need someone there with you before and after surgery to get you home.
Swelling
Keep in mind that you will experience swelling and some bruising in the weeks following the procedure. Your final results probably won’t be visible or apparent until weeks or months after the surgery because of this. Be patient: you’ll see your results soon enough!
You’ll also need to wear certain compression clothes/garments after surgery to keep swelling down and make sure the contours/tissues heal properly.
Rest and Recovery Time
You’ll need to rest for the first few days after surgery. You also need to take it east in the weeks following the surgery. Depending on the extent of the procedure, you may not be able to resume normal activities for the first week or two after the procedure.
Expect to return to doing light activities one to two weeks after the procedure. Patients tend to full recover four to six weeks post-surgery.
Don’t worry about large scars. You’ll have a small scar where the cannula entered your body, but this is very minimal and the scar usually fades over time, especially with proper scar care.
Is Liposuction in Baton Rouge Right for You? Wrapping Up
Liposuction is a common cosmetic procedure that can help rid you of pesky or stubborn fat. If you’re healthy, at an ideal weight, and have healthy skin, you’re a good candidate for this procedure.
Liposuction is a common procedure, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously. It’s still a procedure with all the risks associated with surgery. You need to make sure you’re seeing a trusted and experienced doctor who will make sure the treatment and procedure is right for you.
That’s where Sanchez Plastic Surgery comes in. If you’re looking to get liposuction in Baton Rouge, contact us. We will create a personalized treatment plan with a team of trusted health professionals to make sure you’re taken care of.