Liposuction FAQ's
Let Dr. Ovidio Alarcón give you the body you have always dreamed of! We know that it can be very frustrating when you have a regular excercise routine, yet can't seem to get rid of those extra areas of fat. You think "There has to be an easier way!" We have good news. There is a way! Liposuction just might be the answer you are looking for. And, it’s easy – or at least it’s easier than working out for all those years!
What is liposuction all about? How safe is it? How bad is the pain? How long will it take? We will attempt to answer some of the more general questions here. Specific questions and diagnoses should be obtained only from a personal consultation with Dr. Alarcón.
- What is liposuction?
- How do you select the right plastic surgeon?
- Liposuction Procedures
- Liposuction Recovery
Liposuction is an outpatient operation that removes pockets of fat. It works by suctioning out fat, like a vacuum cleaner takes dirt out of a carpet. The fat that is removed during liposuction will never come back. It almost sounds too good to be true.
Fat is distributed in different parts of the body, and since everyone is different the fat may is distributed different for each person. Therefore, if there are only small numbers of fat cells left in a certain area, the brain will automatically send the fat somewhere else. Of course, that is not true if you gain a lot of weight (50 or more pounds).
Liposuction is most definitely not meant for losing weight. It is not safe to remove large amounts of fat during the liposuction procedure. However, it is perfect for contouring parts of the body and for removing a particular area of fat that just won’t go away.
Selecting the right plastic surgeon?
This should be your most important decision. You may need to do a bit of research. Your surgeon should be degreed and certified at a reputable institution. In addition, your should choose the plastic surgeon with whom you are most comfortable. This is an important decision, and if the surgeon does not make you comfortable then he/she is probably not a good fit for you. Our surgeon, Dr. Ovidio Alarcón graduated as Doctor and Surgeon in 1989, from the Industrial University of Santander. He later attended the Institute of Surgery Reconstructiva de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico where he decided to specialize in plastic surgery. He is an active member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery, as well as the Vice-President of the Seccional East of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery.
The liposuction procedure involves making tiny incisions (about the size of a pencil eraser) in about two or three positions for each area where the liposuction will be performed. Then, a fluid that is mixed with numbing medication and medications that reduce bleeding are placed into the area through the small incisions. Usually, as much fluid is put in as fat you plan to take out, so if you plan to take out two pounds of fat, you would put in two pounds of fluid. This is called the “tumescent” liposuction technique. This numbs everything so that you can have the surgery while you are wide-awake. Once the fluid starts to work, the procedure can begin. After that, if you are awake, you will be completely numb and, if you are asleep, you will not feel anything. Next, using liposuction cannulas, the fat is removed. This is done very carefully to ensure that the fat is removed evenly and the body is contoured for the best shape.
Once the liposuction procedure is complete, you will see small pieces of tape where the tiny incisions were made. You will be dressed with gauze over the incisions and a compression garment over the entire area.
As you wake up from surgery, you may feel only a mild amount of pain or no pain at all. Regardless, you should take oral pain medication as soon as you can, so that the medication can anticipate the pain and act ahead of time.
It is very important to take into consideration the amount of pain you will experience. This depends of factors such as how much fat is removed and in how many areas. For example, if you have one pound of fat removed from one area only, then you will probably have a very mild amount of pain. Of course, if you have more areas worked on or a larger amount of fat removed, you will feel more pain. Soreness will continue for about two weeks. There are several other after-effects to keep in mind:
- Bruising is usually an issue if several areas are involved; expect bruising for seven to 10 days.
- For a day or two after surgery, expect lots of seepage from the incision points. Be sure to keep gauze over these areas as instructed.
- A good amount of swelling is completely should occur. This is completely normal and part of the healing process. You will need to wear a compression garment for about six weeks, during which the swelling will subside.
After liposuction, our patients can usually return back to work in just a few days. However, this again depends on the amount of fat removed and the number of areas that are worked on. Once the healing process is complete, you can look in the mirror and see the figure you have always wanted to see!
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