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A minimally invasive cosmetic surgery called liposuction removes stubborn fat and gives the body a more defined contour.

Liposuction, often called lipolysis, liposculpture, or suction lipectomy, is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical technique that uses a cannula to suction out excess fat from a specific body area. Liposuction is not a replacement for dieting and exercise.

Through small incisions made on the body, the cannula is entered and manipulated, and either a vacuum or a syringe attached to the cannula is used to remove the extra fat. The treated bodily parts will have a leaner, more contoured appearance.

Post-procedure recovery and expectations

Bed rest is helpful immediately after the procedure. You will be tired for at least 24 hours, but we encourage you to remain moderately active to help with drainage and tighten the skin.

Call the doctor's office if signs of infection occur (area becomes red, hot, swollen, angry looking, and painful). The chance of infection is small and might occur 2-3 days after the procedure. Other things to watch for include hematomas or a seroma. These are different from the bruising and lymph edema you will get, so if you are uncertain, come to the office and have the doctor examine you.

Be careful when removing the garment, especially from around the stomach. Sudden release of the hooks or zipper can rapidly lower your blood pressure and make you lightheaded. The garments act as a pressure suit, and an abrupt drop in blood pressure can occur when released. It is best to sit down or slowly undo the zipper or hooks.

There should be minimal discomfort. Discomfort may be relieved by ice packs or Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (if you have no contraindications). Take (2) 500mg Acetaminophen AND (2) 200mg Ibuprofen with food every 6 hours to relieve moderate pain. Take the prescribed pain medication for more intense discomfort but call the doctor's office to inform if you need to take the stronger medication. The cosmetic surgeon Los Angeles wants to know why the discomfort is more than moderate. Most patients describe the pain as a “sunburn under the skin” or soreness from “over-exercising.” Pain greater than “soreness” may indicate a problem, and you should call the doctor's office. Do not drink alcohol when taking prescription medications.

There will be drainage from your incisions. This is normal and may last several days. You may place gauze sponges inside your compression garment to absorb any drainage. The drainage appears like diluted blood. If you notice a foul smell or pus, immediately call doctor's office. Be careful not to stain your carpet, bedding, and upholstery. Large Kotex and adult diapers work well to capture the drainage. You may want to purchase a pack of these items. You can take a quick shower the following day. Have someone available to help you in and out of your garments. While in the shower, gently massage downwards to express the drainage. The more you get out, the better.

The compression garment should be worn for 1-2 weeks, 24 hours daily. Keep it clean. After 1-2 weeks, you can step down to a lighter garment. Many patients feel “secure” wearing the compression garment, which can be worn for 1-3 months.

When getting up from lying or sitting down, do it slowly. Again, rapid standing up causes the blood to pool in your legs and can make you lightheaded. So, when rising, stand gradually and tighten your calf muscles to keep from fainting.

Return to the doctor's office the following week after Lipolysis. We will take photos, answer questions, and examine you. Please do not hesitate to call us for the simplest questions or concerns.

You will need to return to the office for follow-up after 1 week, 1 month, and after 4th month of Lipolysis.

Watching your diet and nutrition after Lipolysis is extremely important. We encourage you to eat lots of protein and limit carbohydrate intake. Fat can return to the areas treated during the first four months if your diet includes a lot of carbohydrates. If you remember NOT to eat sugar, bread, pasta, or junk food for 4 months, you will be on your way to creating a new figure. Now is the time to enter a weight management program. Find a program that suits your needs. Please fill out a weekly weight log sheet to ensure the best results. Pineapple juice and papaya juice will help decrease swelling.

Exercise is very important; however, do not engage in vigorous exercise or sports for at least 2 weeks or until your physician approves.

During the four months following Lipolysis, you will notice “lumps and bumps.” The areas where the Lipolysis was done will appear “hard” and uneven. There may be some residual numbness. This is normal. Please ask the doctor about any concerns you might have but realize your body is healing. Over the 4-month recovery phase, the skin is tightening, trapping Lipolysis debris. Because the lymphatic channels are disrupted, the drainage is “caught” between the tightening skin and the muscles. Gravity will pull the debris downwards, so it is common to notice swelling below the treatment area. Bruising will travel toward the floor, so be prepared to notice how the black and blue migrate down. Men will notice their scrotum will enlarge and appear purple. This is normal following abdomen and love handle Lipolysis. The swelling and discoloration will disappear over several weeks. In 6-8 weeks, the lymphatic channels will reconnect, and the lumps will begin to disappear. Numbness is caused by damage to the small cutaneous nerves in the skin. These nerves will heal over time. You will probably not notice the numbness unless you touch the area. It will not interrupt your normal activities. The final results of Lipolysis will not be apparent until 6 months after the procedure. Be patient during this time. Don’t hesitate to ask questions at any time.

When you can tolerate a gentle massage, place a heating pad (low heat) on the Lipolysis area for 10 minutes, then gently knead the area to promote drainage. Do this several times a day. A hand vibrator or vibrating heating pad on “low” can be used with massage.

At the end of six months, you and your physician will re-evaluate the Lipolysis results. If you fail to do your part during the six-month healing phase or have a weight gain of 5-7 pounds, there may be an additional charge for another treatment. So, please follow these instructions precisely. Your results depend on working as a team to get the best results. Remember: Lipolysis aims to make you look better in your clothes, not necessarily better in a bathing suit. Everyone’s skin tightens differently according to genes, diet, and lifestyle.

Recommended Read: Is Liposuction Fat Transfer Right For You?

Lymphatic drainage is an option that can be started at 3-5 weeks after Lipolysis. A diuretic may be prescribed to help decrease retained fluid.

Remain active. You can do whatever does not “hurt.” You will not heal faster by “pushing yourself.” Be “gentle but mobile.” Do not engage in vigorous exercise or sports for at least 2 weeks or until your physician approves.

After the procedure, drink 6-8 glasses of fluids daily but no alcohol for 48 hours.

You should avoid hot tubs, baths, and swimming for 7 days to allow drainage ports and incisions to close. Avoid direct sun or sunburns as this might create pigmentation on the Lipolysis areas.

Men should use an electric razor to shave instead of a blade for safety reasons following Lipolysis of the neck. This area will be numb for some time, and nicking with the blade can occur.

Apply antibiotic ointment or Scar guard treatment to the incision twice daily using a cotton swab until the incisions are healed. It takes one year for any scars to declare what they will finally look like. If you are concerned about the scars at that time, discuss with your physician what options are available to reduce the scar. Scarring should be minimal because of the small incisions used during Lipolysis.

Remember, you can gain weight by overeating. Most of this weight will go to areas that were not lipolyzed; however, the first 4 months following the procedure are when new stem cells can become new fat cells. Therefore, exercise and eat mainly proteins.

Finally, you have spent a lot of money and energy on this procedure. Both you and your physician want the best possible results. Follow these instructions carefully, and DO NOT hesitate to call or visit with any questions.

Related Read: Questions To Ask At Cosmetic Surgery Consultation