This procedure is usually performed under General Anesthesia. Small areas can occasionally be done under Local Anesthesia with sedation to help you relax. An Anesthetist is always present.

This very much depends on the number of areas that are going to be treated. It also depends on the types of liposuction used. The duration varies between 1 and 3 hours.

The incisions are very small, 0.5 to 1 centimeter only, placed inconspicuously in a natural skin fold or crease adjacent to the area being treated.

A thin, long, hollow tube, called a cannula, is inserted under the skin through the small incision. First, a salt water and anesthetic solution is injected – this is called tumescent liposuction. If ultrasonic liposuction is also used, an ultrasound probe is then inserted into the fat. Vibration of the probe liquefies the fat. Finally, a high pressure suction machine removes the fat as the cannula is moved back and forth underneath the skin. Tumescent and Ultrasonic liposuction are the state of the art in this type of surgery. They help to reduce bruising and swelling, and to speed recovery.

Liposuction is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day once you have recovered from the anesthetic. If very large areas are going to be treated, you may have to stay overnight and go home the day after surgery. When are the stitches removed? There are no stiches. The small incisions heal in about 5 days by itself.

Most people feel tender after surgery. Pain medication will make you comfortable. For your liposuction recovery time, you should plan to be off work for 4-7 days. You can do the normal activities at home. Athletic activities usually have to wait until approximately 4 weeks. A support garment is worn for 4-6 weeks – night and day for the first 2-3 weeks, and then during the day for another 2-3 weeks. This garment will help reduce swelling and conform the skin to your new shape. Showering is permitted on the 3’rd day after surgery. Massage of the treated areas will begin 10 days after surgery to help decrease the swelling faster and to smooth out any irregularities. Scars will initially be red and a little raised, but over 3-6 months they usually get lighter in colour and flatten out.

Good improvement in your shape can be predictably achieved. The liposuction scars are usually well hidden. Most patients are very happy with their results. Best results are at 2-3 months.

The procedure re-contours the body by reducing the number of fat cells. This is permanent. If one does gain a significant amount of weight, the fat cells that do remain can enlarge diminishing the benefits. Overall contour, however, remains improved.

Make sure you let me know your complete medical history as well as any medications, drugs, vitamins, or natural herbs you are taking. For example, diabetes is known to affect wound healing. Smoking also affects your ability to heal, and I recommend that you stop smoking at least 1 week before surgery. Aspirin, anti-inflammatory pills and vitamin E also should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery because they can cause extra bleeding.