What is Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Body Contouring Surgery?
Liposuction and Autologous Fat Transfer are the most common minimally invasive cosmetic body contouring procedures that aesthetically reshape the body’s silhouette.
Liposuction is fat reduction and elimination of unwanted pockets of fat.
Liposculpting further molds and sculpts the body into a more aesthetically pleasing silhouette.
The Tumescent Liposuction Technique uses a local anesthetic solution to perform the surgery with the patient awake safely.
Autologous Fat Transfer is the injection of one’s fat into areas of volume depletion, enhancing and improving the body’s shape.
Is liposuction a weight loss procedure?
No, it is NOT. Liposuction is meant to reduce and/or eliminate unwanted fat deposits to improve the silhouette.
How does Dr. A advise patients to prepare for surgery?
Verbal and written pre and postoperative instructions help patients better prepare for surgery. This allows patients to ask the necessary questions and reduce unnecessary anxiety.
What is the advantage of using local tumescent anesthesia in a patient awake?
Patient’s safety
Active patient participation during surgery (“Interactive surgery”)
On-site assessment of final results
Fewer anesthesia complications
Rapid recovery
What are the areas that can be treated with liposuction?
The most common areas treated with liposuction are:
Submental/Neck
Arms
Abdomen/Waist
Mons Pubis
Flanks “love handles”/Sacral Diamond
Bra-Line
Upper Back
Breast Tail
Inner Thighs
Outer Thighs
Hips
What are the most common areas treated with fat transfer?
The most common areas treated with fat transfer are:
Face
Breasts
Hands
Buttocks
Labia Majora
Do I need pre-operative labs, imaging studies and/or a medical clearance?
Yes, your liposuction specialist and your primary health care professional will order what’s needed depending on the surgery to be performed, your age and medical conditions.
Do I need to take pre-operative antibiotics?
Yes, your liposuction specialist will prescribe the appropriate antibiotic according to the surgery to be performed and any known allergies.
Do I need to fast for an awake, tumescent liposuction/fat transfer surgery?
NO fasting. Eat a light meal before the surgery and hydrate well with water!
Do I take any medication(s) for anxiety before the surgery?
Yes, your liposuction specialist will prescribe a cocktail of oral sedation to take prior to surgery, upon arrival to the clinic.
What postoperative pain medications should I take after the surgery?
Extra-strength acetaminophen every 4 hours during the first 48-72 hours as needed.
Acetaminophen pm at night.
The use of narcotics is not necessary and adds unwanted postoperative side effects.
Should I discontinue any use of medications/supplements preoperatively?
Your liposuction specialist will provide a list of medications that should be discontinued prior to surgery.
Medications/supplements that cause any increased risk of bleeding should be discontinued 2 weeks prior to surgery and should be resumed 2 weeks after surgery.
Do I need to stop taking routine prescribed medications before surgery?
During the preoperative consultation, patients should discuss with their primary health care professional if any medications should be discontinued prior to surgery. Most medications will be continued as usual; exceptions will be instructed accordingly.
How important is the use of a postoperative compression garment?
CRITICAL! The MOST IMPORTANT step in the postoperative care is the use of the compression garment.
The compression garment helps with:
Skin retraction
Contouring
Swelling
Bruising
Prevention of postoperative seromas
Optimal final results
How should the compression garment be worn postoperatively?
My recommendation if 24/7 for 2 weeks, just taking it off for one hour during showering. Then, alternate, on during the day and off to sleep, unless otherwise instructed by the Cosmetic Specialist depending on the patient’s healing.
Can I eat after surgery?
Patients are encourage to increase the intake of postoperative fluids (water) and eat a substantial meal (soup) after surgery.
When can I shower after surgery?
Patients should shower 24 hours after the procedure.
When can I remove the garment after the surgery?
Patient must NOT remove the compression garment before 24 hours of the surgery, at the time of showering.
What garment styles are recommended by Dr. A?
A garment that covers and provides adequate compression and support to the liposuctioned areas and minimal compression and shaping to fat transferred areas.
For females: the most versatile style is the one that goes from under the breasts, without a bra and with straps over the shoulders, high back and goes to the mid-thigh.
I recommend a vest-style garment for males.
There are garments specifically for each body area (chin, arms).
I do not recommend any special binder after a fat transfer to the breasts. Use of a wired bra with no padding is acceptable; AVOID sports bras and bras with padding.
I do not recommend velcro binders as they are difficult to adjust, not comfortable and more visible.
What garment size does Dr. A recommend?
I recommend the patient gets a size according to the sizing chart and a smaller one to use accordingly. Once the immediate postoperative swelling starts to decrease, the garment will need to be adjusted to provide adequate compression and support.
What is the drainage post-liposuction? How long does it last?
The drainage post-liposuction is mostly tumescent fluid with a tint of blood and will naturally drain from the incision sites. The drainage might last up to 72 hours after surgery.
How often do I change the absorbent dressings postoperatively?
Absorbent dressings should be changed as needed depending on the amount of drainage.
Patients should NOT remove the garment each time they need to change the dressings; they should use the various openings in the garment to change them.
How many days should I take off of work?
Everyone heals differently. An average of 3-5 days are recommended as the initial recovery period.
Does Dr. A recommend lymphatic massages?
Yes, lymphatic massages will help with:
Drainage
Postoperative swelling
Postoperative discomfort
Speeding the healing the healing process
Decreasing excessive fibrosis formation
When can I resume exercise?
Patients can exercise as tolerated. Light, non-strenuous exercise is recommended first and then slow increments as tolerated.
AVOID any strenuous exercise (running, jumping) and exercises that require upside down poses (yoga) in fat transfer to the breasts and face cases for at least 4-6 weeks.
AVOID any exercises that require sitting down in fat transfer to the buttocks/“hip dip” cases for at least 4-6 weeks.
Can I wear a compression garment when exercising?
Yes, Dr. A recommends patients to wear a light compression garment when exercising.
How does Dr. A advise patients about wound care?
Liposuction and fat transfer incisions are very small so minimal care is needed. Patients should clean the incisions with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment.
Is it normal to feel excessive discomfort around the umbilicus, including a burning sensation?
Yes, it is normal. The umbilicus is a very sensitive area and is common for patients to feel a burning sensation in the area, towards the end of the surgery and postoperatively.
Is it normal for the areas of liposuction to feel hard during the healing process?
Yes, it is normal. Liposuctioned areas will feel hard months after surgery. This is swelling and will eventually resolve with time.
When can I expect to see final results from liposuction?
The skin takes time to heal and the results improve over time. It’s always advised that final results from a liposuction surgery might take six (6) months up to one (1) year.
When can I expect to see final results from fat transfer?
Not all of the fat transferred will stay; some of it will get reabsorbed. It’s always advised that final results from a fat transfer surgery might take up to three (3) months
Can a patient with previous liposuction, abdominoplasty and/or fat-freezing treatments have another liposuction?
Liposuction, abdominoplasty and fat-freezing treatments all create fibrosis as normal part of the healing process.
It is possible to do a liposuction after one of these procedures but with an added level of difficulty due to fibrosis.
Will excess, loose skin retract after a liposuction?
Setting realistic expectations is critical.
Some of the skin will retract with any liposuction procedure.
The use of energy during a liposuction procedure will increase skin retraction.
What is fibrosis?
Fibrosis means thickening or scarring of the tissue. It is the formation of fibrous scar tissue in response to injury and is part of the normal healing process.
Can a patient have liposuction while breastfeeding?
No! The pre-operative evaluation should be done after the patient has completed breastfeeding in order to have a better assessment of the body and the wants/needs of the patient.