How to Get the Best-Looking Scars After Cosmetic Surgery
Chances are if you’re considering cosmetic surgery, one of your first questions will be about scarring. What will the scars look like? How noticeable will they be? Whether you’re having a breast augmentation, body contouring, or some other cosmetic procedure, scars are completely natural and typically fade over time. However, some treatments require larger surgical incisions and cause more noticeable scarring as a result.
Liposuction is currently the second most popular cosmetic treatment nationwide, and it’s not hard to understand why. The procedure is highly effective and versatile, often used to treat multiple different areas of the body. However, while it can help reduce stubborn pockets of fat, it is important to remember that liposuction is NOT a weight loss procedure. Your surgeon may use liposuction to correct and enhance your body’s shape and contour, but only in areas that are not affected by diet and exercise.
Liposuction is often regarded as a new, modern-day advancement in cosmetic medicine. However, the practice of fat removal can be traced back to as early as the 1920s. Over time, the procedure evolved and new innovations allowed for a safer, more effective treatment. In 1982, a French surgeon named Yves-Gerard Illouz invented a safe method of fat cell removal that employed cannulas (thin tubes) to inject a saline solution into the problem area to break up fat before suctioning it from the patient’s body. This new technique was a progressive advancement in liposuction. Over the years, doctors have continued to improve upon the procedure to make it safer, more effective, and minimally invasive.
Recently, a woman visited us at South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery and explained that she felt self-conscious of her midsection. After having three children, her stomach hadn’t “snapped back” to its pre-baby appearance. Friends of hers had mentioned tummy tuck and liposuction as possible solutions, but she was unsure which procedure was the better option.
As we do with every patient, we examined her problem areas, discussed her needs and helped her select the procedure most appropriate for her goals. Since this scenario is common, we know that other women may have the same questions. Our team thought it would be helpful if we explained the two options and their distinct differences. Continue reading Lipo vs. Tummy Tuck – What Is Best for Me?
Compression garments aren’t mandatory after liposuction, but the majority of plastic surgeons believe that they aid in patient comfort and recovery. In this post, the team at the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery explains how these garments can help the post-operative process. Then, the team addresses a common question regarding the fit of the garment and whether it is bulky.
The benefits of liposuction are well established. This body sculpting procedure reduces unwanted fat in targeted areas — such as the abdomen, hips, thighs or buttocks — for a more beautiful and proportional shape. In a body-conscious region like South Florida, liposuction is in high demand.
Candidates for liposuction understandably have pressing questions about the procedure. One of the most common liposuction questions that our plastic surgeons receive is whether the procedure is painful. In this post, the plastic surgeons at the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery reveal the answer and explain what is reasonable to expect.
When Performed Correctly, Liposuction Is Not Painful
As long as you have selected an experienced surgeon and you are under anesthesia during your operation, liposuction is not painful. You will be in a sleep-like state and unable to feel anything, including any pain. Our liposuction surgeons prefer to use the tumescent technique, which involves infusing the treatment area with a special tumescent solution. This fluid not only makes it easier to break up and remove the unwanted fat, but also makes the recovery process a little smoother. Generally, tumescent liposuction is well tolerated by our patients.
What can make liposuction a more painful experience is an unqualified plastic surgeon that does not adhere to the standard of care. This is why it is so important to work with board certified, experienced surgeons that operate in accredited facilities. Your comfort and safety depend on it!
Your Post-Operative Comfort Level
Recovering from liposuction is not a painful experience, but there may be minor discomfort. It is difficult to pinpoint how much discomfort, since everyone has a different threshold for pain. Many describe a feeling of tenderness or soreness, similar to the feeling after completing a vigorous workout. However, it is not unbearable.
To counteract any discomfort, our plastic surgeons prescribe oral medication to be taken as needed. After a few days, most patients switch to Tylenol. Putting ice packs on the treated area can also help to minimize pain. And, the compression garment placed after surgery helps reduce discomfort by restricting the movement of the treated area.
Other post-operative liposuction side effects include some swelling and bruising, both of which resolve mostly in the first two to three weeks of recovery.
Do You Have Additional Questions?
If you are curious about other aspects of liposuction, or would like to learn more about how the procedure can help your “problem areas” of excess fat, contact the South Florida Center for Cosmetic Surgery today. Call us at (954) 565-7575.
