If you have been trying to slim and reshape specific areas of your body, but you seem to have run into a dead end where diet and exercise can no longer help, then you may be contemplating having liposuction. Liposuction can remove excess fat deposits to improve the body’s contours and proportions. But how long will liposuction cause you to be out of commission? The answer may surprise you!
How Is Liposuction Done?
Liposuction can take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours to perform. During the procedure, the surgeon will make small and inconspicuous incisions for the surgical tool (cannula) to be inserted. The surgeon will then move the tool back and forth in the area being treated and the fat will get suctioned and removed through the thin, hollow tubing using a surgical vacuum. Liposuction can be done in your physician’s office, in a surgical center, or in a hospital depending on the size of the area being treated and the amount that needs to be done. It can be done with local or general anesthesia, which is again dependent on the area and size of the area being treated. So, while it is an invasive procedure, it doesn’t have to mean weeks upon weeks of recovery time.
What Happens During the Recovery Period?
Once the liposuction procedure is over, patients will have compression garments or elastic bandages over the treatment areas to control swelling and to compress the skin to new contours in the body. These compression garments are worn for 4 to 8 weeks. Many patients experience bruising, swelling and soreness immediately after surgery which lasts for a few weeks and then improves. Some patients may experience leakage from the incision site for a few days after, but this is normal. If a patient had a drain placed in their incisions, it will be removed at their first postoperative visit, along with any sutures that they may have received.
Most patients are able to return to work within a few days to a week. The surgeon will ask patients to avoid straining, heavy lifting, and excessive movement for 10-14 days. Most other normal activities can be resumed in two weeks with the exception of strenuous exercise. All forms of strenuous exercise should be avoided for approximately 4 weeks.
The results of liposuction will be seen within 2 to 3 months with 6-12 months for a final result. Results are long lasting in patients who maintain a stable weight and good overall fitness. The overall recovery period of 4 to 8 weeks can give patients a lifetime of feeling better and living more confidently.
Take The Next Step
If you are ready to learn more about liposuction, the time is right for you to schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation with one of our physicians at Dermatology and Plastic Surgery of Arizona by calling the Tucson office at 520-207-3100 or the Sierra Vista location at 520-458-1787. You may also schedule an appointment by completing the form on this page.Our offices are conveniently located at 698 East Wetmore, Suite #310 in Tucson, Arizona and 150 South Coronado Drive Suite #110 in Sierra Vista, Arizona.