Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery that helps people from all different backgrounds get rid of stubborn fat for good. At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics, we work with many clients who have tried their best through a balanced diet and regular exercise to achieve their body contouring goals — and yet, certain areas of fat are resistant to their efforts.
For these clients, we offer liposuction as a solution to the problem of stubborn fat. If you’re considering liposuction but are worried about the recovery and healing process, we can help! We’ll answer the common question, “What is liposuction?” and provide you with details on how to set yourself up for a smooth recovery.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure designed to remove stubborn, excess fat from specific areas of the body through controlled suction. During liposuction, we make a small incision through which we insert a thin cannula. The cannula not only breaks up fat cells but also suctions them out so they’re permanently gone.
We use liposuction on various areas of the body, including:
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
- Hips
- Arms
- Neck
Stomach liposuction is one of the most popular procedures because it helps clients remove all-too-common stubborn belly fat. Arm liposuction typically focuses on the upper arms, where fat tends to collect. And in recent years, neck liposuction has been made possible through advances in technology that allow us to target even small areas of the body.
Keep in mind that liposuction isn’t a weight loss procedure; instead, it’s a body contouring treatment that can improve the appearance of specific areas of the body that aren’t responding to diet and exercise.
The Liposuction Procedure
The length of time needed for your liposuction procedure will depend on the number of areas we’re treating and the size of those areas. Other factors that determine time include the complexity of the procedure and your specific anatomy.
Some procedures only take an hour or less, as in the case of neck liposuction. Others can require several hours, especially if we perform stomach liposuction while treating other areas during the same procedure.
A key advantage of liposuction is we can customize it to the individual needs and goals of each client. We’ll adjust our techniques based on the targeted areas, the amount of fat that needs to be removed, and your desired outcome.
Benefits of Liposuction
The main benefit of liposuction is its ability to permanently remove excess fat from specific areas of the body in order to enhance the results of your healthy lifestyle. Thanks to significant advancements in technology, including laser liposuction, we can perform efficient, effective fat reduction no matter the size of the treated area.
The Liposuction Recovery Process
Liposuction recovery varies widely for each individual, but you can expect to need some days of rest and downtime after the procedure. Following liposuction, we will prescribe medications to help enhance your comfort during recovery. Most clients resume their everyday activities within a few days to a week after liposuction. But these everyday activities don’t include high-intensity exercise or other movements that can be hard on the body.
You’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. You should also attend all follow-up appointments we schedule with you so we can monitor your healing process and determine when it’s safe for you to return to life as normal.
Tips for a Smooth Liposuction Healing Process
For a smooth recovery process after liposuction, try following these tips to achieve the best results.
Follow Post-Liposuction Instructions
We’ll provide you with detailed instructions on how to care for the incision site, as well as topical or oral medications to help aid the healing process. We’ll also schedule an initial follow-up appointment so we can check in on you.
Wear Compression Garments
Compression garments help reduce swelling while supporting your new body shape. We’ll give you an exact timeline for how long you need to wear these garments.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
The fat cells we remove during liposuction are gone for good, but that doesn’t mean new fat cells can’t form. It’s important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise so you can continue to enjoy your results.
Stay Hydrated and Focus on Proper Nutrition
Being careful about what you consume is always important, but it is especially so following surgery. By providing your body with the nutrients and hydration it needs to function properly, you support its healing process.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Both smoking and alcohol consumption can delay the healing process and could even cause complications. Smoking restricts blood flow, while alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to absorb necessary nutrients.
Rest, Rest, Rest!
Rest is critical following any surgical procedure, and liposuction is no exception. Try to focus on getting plenty of sleep and keep your activity light until we tell you otherwise.
Keep Your Incisions Clean
Keeping the incision site clean will help prevent infection. We’ll provide you with thorough details after surgery on how to clean the area.
Look Forward to Your Results
Surgery is a big event, and it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed following a surgical procedure. Looking forward to the improvements you’ll see every day is an important part of liposuction recovery.
Traditional and Laser Liposuction in Brookings, OR
At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics, we offer comprehensive liposuction solutions to our clients. From arm liposuction to stomach liposuction and more, we can help you achieve the body contouring goals you’ve been working toward. Contact us today to book a consultation.