Who Is a Candidate For Liposuction?
Let us first understand what exactly is liposuction?
Liposuction is the removal of fat from underneath the skin using a suctioning technique. It is a contouring procedure that is used to reshape specific areas of the body.
Nearly every part of the body has been successfully treated with liposuction. For women, the most frequently treated areas are the hips, outer thighs and stomach. For men, the “love handles” around the waist and the stomach.
Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction
It is best to be at your normal weight, and have fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. Liposuction alone is not a method of weight control and must never be offered as a cure or for treatment of obesity. It can however be used in conjuction with a reasonable lifestyle of proper diet and exercise.
Obese patients are at risk because they can develop more complications and their sedentary lifestyle, coupled with excess weight, places stress on the cardiovascular system.
In most cases, the skin shrinks into a smooth contour and looks no different from its preoperative appearance. If, however, a large amount of fat is being removed from a single area, particularly if the skin is not firm, it is expected that the skin may not be completely taut when all is said and done.
The final result of liposuction depends both on the amount of fat removed and on the ability of the skin to readapted into its new contour.
If one does gain a significant amount of weight, the fat cells that do remain can enlarge diminishing the benefits or effects the liposuction. Recovery
Swelling and bruising will occur to varying degrees but subside as part of the healing. Improvement may be immediate after surgery in some areas, some improvement is noted by about six weeks, but the final appearance may not be “set”, for up to six months after surgery.
Showering is permitted on the 3’rd day after surgery. Massage of the treated areas can begin 7-10 days after surgery to help decrease the swelling faster and to smooth out any irregularities. Scars will initially be red and a little raised, but over 3-6 months they usually get lighter in colour and flatten out.
A support garment is worn night and day for up to six weeks and then during the day for an additional three weeks. The garment helps reduce swelling and optimizes your final contour. This garment must be readily available at the end of the surgery and if it does not fit properly you may have baggy, lumpy, irregular and uneven results.
Once the doctor says that it is ok, begin doing some light exercise, it can really help the healing process along. It boosts circulation and stimulates the skin to tighten. Do not do anything that will cause you to sweat in your compressive garment, it may increase the risk of infection.
Due to this gradual recovery, it is really nothing short of suggesting a remarkable weight loss, through diet and exercise alone. The final result can be revealed whenever and however you want.
When liposuction is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, you will increase your chances of an uneventful recovery.