Who is a candidate for Liposuction?

The first category of liposuction candidates includes those who wish to reduce their size, such as women who have gained weight due to pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations or medications. This category also includes men and women who undergo Large Volume Liposuction. As opposed to standard liposuction, which only removes about two liters of fat; Large Volume Liposuction, removes more than five liters of fat – resulting in a dramatic reduction in size.

The second group of candidates includes those who have disproportionately gained fat in areas such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, buttocks, cheeks and neck. These problem areas are commonly known as “saddlebags”, “thunder thighs,” “love handles,” and “double chins.” Often these stubborn areas of fat have genetic origins, and cannot be reduced by diet and exercise.

These groups of patient use liposuction for its sculpturing benefits, in order to form their body into an ideal shape. The third group is limited to men who suffer from Gynecomastia, excessive breast growth due to the enlargement of breast glands, and excess fatty growth in the chest and breasts.

Liposuction can be completed at any age but we always get better results with younger people because the skin has good elasticity, sufficient to readapt itself to the new contour after the intervention. If your skin has a good quality (thickness, tension, elasticity, etc….) the results will be much better than if you have a loose skin.

In all cases, men and women who undergo liposuction and liposculpture should have had a stabilized weight for at least six months. Liposuction does not remove stretch marks or cellulite.

Planning your surgery

During your consultation you will have the opportunity to express your concerns, with Dr. Amar, about any areas of unwanted fat. He will thoroughly examine these areas, making sure that you are a suitable candidate for liposuction or liposculpture. Dr. Amar will then suggest the most appropriate method for the removal of these unwanted fatty deposits.

The alternative methods will be explained to you by Dr. Amar. You must set out your expectations in a sincere and frank way so that your plastic surgeon understands your needs and expectations. We will ask you for habits such as smoking, intake of medication and vitamins and usual diet.  

If you suffer an infection of any type, mainly if it is of the skin, the surgery can be postponed. We advise you to have a relative or companion who can take care of you after the hospitalization and who can be of assistance to you during the first couple of days after surgery.

Surgery Procedure

The technique is used for performing Liposuction to eliminate excess fat and to liposculpture (reshaping) selected areas of the body or face. It involves the insertion of a liposuction cannula – a small wand-like instrument connected to a high-powered suction machine – into tiny incisions made by the plastic surgeon into the targeted area. It is through this instrument that the plastic surgeon draws fat from beneath the skin.

Recovery

The procedure is performed as an outpatient at the Amar Clinic. The patient is encouraged to wear a constricting, conforming garment over the treated area for several weeks. This encourages skin re-drape over the contoured area. Typically there is very little discomfort, bruising or swelling and many patients return to work within several days. Strenuous activity or exercise however is best avoided for about 1-2 weeks.

After the surgery water drains are placed under the skin and removed after 2 or 3 days. These applications diminish the possibility of accumulating fluid. A strip of elastic bandage will be placed on the treated area to control swelling, bruising and bleeding, and to help the skin adapt to the new contour. Usually it is necessary to keep it on during 2 to 3 weeks.

You may have to take antibiotics to prevent infection. Pain can be alleviated with the medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon. You may lose sensitivity in the treated area, don’t worry it is temporary.

The stitches will be removed after 5 to 10 days post surgery, and you will be able to return to work in 2 to 4 days, in some cases after 2 weeks, depending on the surgery and the patient’s needs. The swelling and bruising disappears usually in the first or the second month; nevertheless, a minimum inflammation can stay during 6 or more months.

The results

Liposuction and liposculpture are very effective techniques to achieve a new body contour with minimum scars. The results can be permanent, as long as you maintain a suitable diet and practice exercise periodically. If you gain weight it will be in proportion and not only in the located fat deposits. The majority of the patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction. As long as your expectations are realistic you will be happy with your new silhouette.

Advice

• Hydration is important and essential oils are excellent to aid positive results
• You must avoid the sun until advised otherwise
• It is not advisable if you have heart problems or coagulation, diabetes or a weak immunological system.
• It is important to maintain a healthy diet reducing the fat ingestion and to realize exercise after the intervention
• After liposuction you can maintain your figure with slight exercises for an optimized recovery of the treated area

Will liposuction treat cellulite?

Liposuction may be able to smooth out some amount of cellulite, but generally speaking the procedure is not intended to treat cellulite. There are other treatments, such as entomology, that can more effectively treat cellulite.

How long do liposuction results last or are they permanent?

Liposuction is not a substitute for diet and exercise. If you follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise after your procedure, the results can be fairly permanent. If you gain a significant amount of weight, however, the fat may return to those areas from which it was removed.

How much time is needed to recover after liposuction?

The amount of time it takes to recover after liposuction will vary for each patient. In general, most patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks after surgery, though more strenuous activity will need to be postponed for two to four weeks.

Are there risks of liposuction?

As with all types of surgery, liposuction does carry some risks. These may include the following: asymmetry, bagginess or rippling of the skin, fluid retention, infection, pigmentation changes, skin injury, and excessive fluid loss leading to shock.

Can the face be treated with liposuction?

Areas of the face can be treated with liposuction. In fact, the cheeks, chin and neck are commonly treated with liposuction.

Will weight gain after the procedure affect the results?

If you gain weight after your procedure, fat can return to those areas from which it was removed. It's best to postpone your procedure if you anticipate a significant weight loss in the future.

Is liposuction very painful?

The amount or degree of pain experienced with the procedure will vary from person to person. Most patients, however, find it to be more of a discomfort than pain. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort that you experience.

Will liposuction help with loose skin?

Liposuction involves the removal of fat. To some degree, loose skin may be lessened with the procedure if the fat is pulling the skin downwards. Generally speaking, however, liposuction is not intended to treat loose skin. In fact, once the underlying fat is removed, loose skin can sometimes appear more pronounced. There are other procedures that can better treat loose skin and can even be performed in combination with liposuction, such as a facelift or tummy tuck.