Liposuction and Body Contouring

In practical terms there is NO difference between liposuction and liposculpture. Liposuction is not a substitute or a synonym for weight reduction, it is the best method for removing localized deposits of fat that do not respond to diet or exercise. With liposuction, the surgeon has the ability to redefine the body as they can remove excess fat in these localized areas in a permanent way. Liposuction can be performed as a primary procedure to improve body contour, or in combination with other surgical techniques, as abdominoplasty, or thigh lift; where in addition, it will reposition the support structures and tighten skin

According to the amount of fat to be removed and/or the extent of the treated surface, the surgery can be performed under local, epidural or general anesthesia. The surgical procedure can last from 20 minutes to 2 hours and recovery is almost immediate for small cases. During the days following surgery, patients are advised to perform soon mobility; after the first week can gradually return to their normal daily routine. Patients can start exercise after 2 weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. The placement of a compression garment for a period of 4-6 weeks is recommended.

The quality of the result will depend greatly on the skin elasticity of each person before surgery. The best candidate for liposuction is a person with relatively normal weight who have excess fat in certain areas of the body. A firm and elastic skin leads to better final contour after liposuction. Sagging skin not readjusts itself to new contours, and may require additional surgical techniques to remove and tighten excess skin. Liposuction by itself does not improve the areas of irregular skin known as «cellulite».

Considerations after surgery:

• It is highly recommended to stay out of sun exposure until all the bruises and swelling have disappeared, this often happens in a space of time of approximately 15 days.
• The results of liposuction are generally satisfactory. The results will be more visible when a few months have passed since the loss of volume and skin remodeling will occur continuously and progressively to achieve a significant improvement in the body line and a more harmonious body in silhouette.

-How much recovery time and will I need help after liposuction? Liposuctions may be large, medium or small. Usually, most surgeries are medium and small. In this type of liposuction is essential that the patient, during and after the surgical technique, be perfectly hydrated, so that they can leave the hospital between 6 to 24 hours after surgery and begin to make a normal life, leading a compressive girdle. The first few days, may feel a little tired and a little muscle soreness. The compressive girdle should be placed 24 hours a day and can be removed only at the moment of the daily shower

-Fat removed may reappear? Fat tissue is not capable of reproduction, so they will not come back in the treated areas.