As we age, the shape of our body changes. You may begin to see bulges you don’t remember having and that won’t be changed by diet and exercise. This doesn’t mean you’re stuck with how you look. Liposuction can help you improve your shape and your image, by removing excess fat to reshape and redefine your body.
What is liposuction?
When you hit puberty, your body stops producing fat cells. After that, those fat cells become bigger or smaller depending on your diet and exercise regime, lifestyle and genetics.
Liposuction is a body-contouring, surgical process that removes well-defined areas of subcutaneous (just under your skin) fat from almost any part of your body, including your neck, upper arms, above your abdomen, hips, thighs, and knees. Liposuction isn’t just for women; men can also benefit from the procedure, especially in stubborn areas like the waist and abdomen.
Liposuction is a body-contouring, surgical process that removes areas of fat from almost any part of your body.
Your Annapolis Liposuction Consultation
If you’re considering liposuction, your next step should be a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at our main office in Annapolis or one of our one satellite offices in Easton or Prince Frederick.
During the consultation in one of our comfortable exam rooms, the doctor will review your goals and your medical history to determine if you are a good candidate. The consultation typically includes a discussion of:
- Your goals: why do you want the surgery and what outcome are you hoping for?
- Your medical history and your lifestyle. You’ll talk about things like:
- Are you taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs and/or herbal supplements?
- Do you smoke?
- Have you had any previous surgeries?
- Your areas of concern. The doctor will examine, measure and evaluate those areas you think liposuction would help.
You’ll also discuss the procedure, and the doctor will answer any questions you have; we recommend writing them down beforehand, so you won’t forget. When you leave the consultation, you’ll know if liposuction is the right procedure for you. If it is, you’ll also have a plan for moving forward.
Understanding the Liposuction Procedure
Our board-certified surgeons perform liposuction under general anesthesia. This outpatient procedure is done in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art, ambulatory surgery center in Annapolis; you’ll go home the same day.
During liposuction, a solution of saline and anesthetic is injected into the area, making it swollen and firm, which allows for easier separation of the fat from other tissues. The fat is then removed gradually and in a controlled manner.
After Liposuction: Recovery and Results
You’ll go home with a snug dressing and elastic girdle over the treated area, which helps the skin conform smoothly to the shape of the underlying tissue. You’ll have some post-operative pain for a few days, but it’s easily controlled by medication. You may also have some swelling and discoloration, which should subside in about three to six weeks.
The most-noticeable result of liposuction is improved proportion—the size and shape of your targeted areas will more closely match your body’s other areas—for a more attractive shape in and out of your clothing.
Liposuction is an excellent method for removing localized fat that doesn’t respond to traditional dieting and exercise – but it’s not a substitute for weight loss. Weight gain can happen after liposuction if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle. However, since it can remove fat from areas that are resistant to weight loss, it can provide the motivation to continue a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Once fat cells are removed by liposuction, they’re gone forever. If you gain weight after liposuction, it will be distributed more equally throughout all your remaining fat cells.
What are the risks of liposuction?
As with most surgical procedures, you may have a few days of post-operative pain, which can be easily controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor.
The only way to know for sure if you’re a candidate for liposuction is to speak to a board-certified plastic surgeon. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons, to decide if liposuction is the right procedure for your needs.