Everything You Should Know Before Choosing Liposuction
Liposuction has been a popular procedure for years because many people have stubborn areas of fat that aren’t responsive to a healthy diet or exercise. Even if you are very active, strong, and healthy, you can still be left with “problem areas.” Many people turn to liposuction to refine their body contour for this reason.
If you’re interested in liposuction, it’s important to seek advice from a plastic surgeon you can trust. Dr. Kayastha from K Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon with the experience and education necessary to perform a successful liposuction procedure. When you’re deciding whether to have liposuction, it can be helpful to review before-and-after photos from your surgeon. Our website’s gallery has many photos of Dr. Kayastha’s results for liposuction and other procedures from previous patients.
A consultation is the best way to have your questions answered, but before your appointment, here are some things you should know before deciding to move forward with liposuction.
What to Expect from Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that permanently removes unwanted fat cells. The surgery is designed to sculpt the body and improve the body contour and is not a weight-loss procedure. You can have liposuction for many areas of the body, including the arms, thighs, abdomen, back or “bra roll,” hips, or neck and chin. Liposuction is completed under general or local anesthesia, depending on the area of the body you are treating and the extent of the procedure among other factors. Small incisions are made so that a cannula can be inserted below the skin, which is used to manually break apart fat cells before suctioning them away. In most cases, you can go home the same day after your surgery is complete, but should have a trusted family member or friend to drive you home and care for you.
What is Laser-Assisted Liposuction?
Laser-assisted liposuction is also called SmartLipo, and is generally comparable to a standard liposuction procedure but uses lasers to liquefy fat using a burst of energy before it is suctioned away. This method is often thought to be less traumatic to the body and the laser can also help to tighten the skin, enhancing your liposuction results. Depending on your goals for the procedure and other factors, Dr. Kayastha may recommend this technique for you.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
The first step to understanding whether you’re a good candidate for liposuction is to consider your expectations for your results. If you want to have the surgery because you want to lose weight or tighten your skin, for example, you may not be a good candidate for liposuction and should consider other options.
Good candidates for liposuction are at a healthy and stable weight. Typically, you should be within 30% of your goal weight before choosing liposuction. It’s also important that your skin has good elasticity so that removing fat does not result in loose or excess skin. Finally, you should be generally healthy overall, and it’s best if you’re a nonsmoker. If you smoke or take certain medications, such as blood thinners, you may face complications during the surgery and recovery process.
Dr. Kayastha will determine your candidacy for liposuction after a thorough consultation, where he will answer your questions, consider your goals, and evaluate your health.
What are the Risks of Liposuction?
There are some risks of liposuction, which can be minimized by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon, following instructions during your healing process, and not having the procedure if you are not a good candidate.
Like all surgeries, there are some common risks associated with liposuction. Blood clots are one concern, which can be avoided by staying hydrated and moving after the procedure. Some patients may also experience adverse reactions to anesthesia. Infection is also possible. Dr. Kayastha may recommend that you take antibiotics after your liposuction to avoid infection, and will give you instructions on how to care for your incision sites as you heal.
During and after your recovery, some risks include changes in sensation and numbness, scarring, and irregular shape or contours of the body, including dimpled or bumpy skin. Following Dr. Kayastha’s instructions carefully can help you avoid these problems, and if any should occur, be sure to let him know during a postoperative appointment.
How Long Does Liposuction Take?
The total length of your liposuction procedure will vary depending on the size of the area you are treating and how much fat you are having removed. Generally, liposuction procedures take between 1-4 hours.
How Long is Recovery After Liposuction?
The initial recovery period after liposuction, when you will be required to rest as you heal, typically only lasts a few days. During this time, you will likely experience some bruising, swelling, and soreness and will have to take some type of pain medication as directed by Dr. Kayastha. You will also have to wear a compression garment to treat swelling and promote proper healing. After the initial healing period, you should be able to return to work or school, unless your normal routine is physically demanding. By two weeks, you should be able to return to all of your normal activities, including light exercise.
Swelling after liposuction can last 1-2 months, and you should continue wearing your compression garment throughout this period. Dr. Kayastha will monitor your healing during follow up appointments throughout your recovery process.
When Will I See Results from Liposuction?
Due to residual swelling, it may take between 6-12 months to see the final results of your liposuction procedure. However, the majority of swelling subsides by about three weeks after the procedure, so while swelling will continue to decrease, you will be able to see a close comparison of your final results by this time.
Schedule a Consultation
If you still have questions about liposuction or if you want to find out if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kayastha at K Plastic Surgery in Latham, NY. Call (518) 674-9060 to request an appointment or fill out our online form.
Dr. Kayastha is a board certified plastic surgeon who serves Albany, NY and the entire Capital Region. Dr. Kayastha completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and graduated with distinction in all subjects. He then attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. During his time in Buffalo he also completed a fellowship in surgical pathology at Roswell Park. Following medical school Dr. Kayastha gained a much sought after position in the Michigan State-Grand Rapids integrated plastic surgery residency. After finishing residency training Dr. Kayastha completed a one year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at the Buncke Clinic in San Francisco. To round out his training before starting private practice Dr. Kayastha spent an additional 6 months learning from some of the best cosmetic surgeons in San Francisco. Dr. Kayastha is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.