Liposuction
Liposuction can be performed to the neck, abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, flanks or upper back. The length of surgery depends on the amount of liposuction being performed. Some patients may require a position change during surgery which lengthens the amount of time in the OR.
1. Overview
The typical candidate for liposuction is a patient that has maximized diet and exercise methods of weight control.
Patients that are not candidates for this type of surgery include:
Patients that smoke
Patients with a BMI > 32. Click here to calculate your BMI.
2. Preoperative Considerations
3. Surgical Considerations
The length of surgery depends on the amount of liposuction being performed. Patients are typically able to return home on the same day as surgery.
Patients are asked to refrain from heavy lifting and exercise for 4 weeks. There will be bruising from the liposuction that is performed. Additionally there will be swelling which lasts for 6 weeks - 3 months. Patients are required to purchase a compression garment which is worn over the area that has undergone liposuction for 24 hours per day for 4 weeks following surgery. This minimizes swelling. Most patients return to work after 10 days - 2 weeks.
4. Postoperative Considerations
Seroma (15%)
Wound healing delay (5%)
Hematoma (5%)
Asymmetry (5%)
Rippling (1%)
Infection (1%)
DVT (0.07%-3.5%)
PE (0.09%-2%)
5. Possible Complications
The excess fatty tissue is removed using a liposuction cannula. This is performed through small (1cm) incisions which are placed in natural skin creases.