Question about lipposuction.
Drawing upon my conversations with patients I have selected a number of frequently asked questions, that are raised almost inevitably, the answers to which will provide you with useful and interesting information about this procedure.
- How many pounds (kilograms) will I lose by liposuction?
By extracting the fat tissue, the ample regions of the body are reduced and modelled. The favourable result of surgery will be visible rather by a decreased clothes size by 1 -2 units, than by the quantitative reduction of body weight. Within 3-6 months a decrease in body weight can be possibly recorded, however in small quantities, of 2-3 kilograms (4 – 6 pounds). Thus liposuction is not a means of solving the issue of overweight, exceeding pounds (kilos) or of obesity.
- Is it possible for fat tissue to regenerate in the suctioned regions?
This will not occur under any circumstance, as the fat cells are definitively suctioned. What happens is that there is a small residual fat tissue, and if the patient has the tendency to gain weight or food is consumed in excess, the fat cells increase in volume, particularly in the regions adjacent to the suctioned ones, thus possibly affecting the initial favourable post-op result.
- Is a diet required previously to this procedure, or perhaps after?
In view of the fact that liposuction addresses particularly those fat deposits that are resistant to other methods of reduction, a diet cannot help, and from the technical viewpoint it is not recommended to keep any kind of diet. After surgery, if the patient’s general tendency to gain weight is known, a well monitored and controlled diet is recommended, with an emphasis on general hydration, in order to maintain and stabilize the post-op result.
- Is the liposuction procedure painful? Will there be visible scars?
Liposuction is performed either under general or local anaesthesia, depending on the regions addressed, but also depending on the patient’s pain threshold. The technical intervention consists of very small incisions of 5-6 mm, while in the region undergoing suction is infiltrated with a dilution of substances with anaesthetic effect.
Practically there is no post-op pain, the strongest sensation being the perceiving of muscle soreness.
- What happens after surgery?
Immediately after surgery, a special corset is applied to the operated regions, a most important item as it favours the rearrangement of the tissue and the retraction and settling of skin on the new shapes generated by modelling of the fat.
While hospitalization is required for 1-2 nights depending on the quantity of suctioned fat tissue, immediately after surgery walking is required in order to avoid various complications.
- How long is the healing period and after how long can normal activity be resumed?
The healing period varies depending on the quantity and volume of suctioned fat tissue, but primary healing is achieved anyway within 2 weeks. While over a subsequent period of 2 months the corset needs to be worn and significant physical effort (fitness training, jogging, long drives) needs to be avoided, professional activity can be resumed.
- Will there be scars on the operated regions? How soon can sunbathing be practiced?
The suctioned regions are slightly swollen over the first 2-3 weeks, after which they gradually recede simultaneously with a small decrease in weight.
Also bruising may occur that gradually disappears in 3-4 weeks by resorption and supported by a special cream. The skin may also have areas with small depressions that will be gradually remedied by light massage and the wearing of the compressive corset.
All these aspects will disappear within two months after surgery, during which period exposure to sun or tanning equipment is not allowed.
Massages need to be very light, superficial, without displacing the tissues; daily showers are recommended after 2 weeks post-op.
Evidently there are a number of further details to be clarified on the opportunity of a targeted medical exam, within a consultation providing all the details.
