Liposuction
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Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or lipo, is a surgical procedure that removes localized fat that doesn’t respond to dieting and exercise. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. JoAnne Lopes offers liposuction for patients at The Cosmetic Surgery Center in Virginia Beach
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a technique used to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body, including the chin, neck, and cheeks; the upper arms and above the breasts; the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs; and the knees, calves, and ankles.
Is Liposuction right for me?
Liposuction can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction. Think carefully about your expectations before you decide to have surgery.
Liposuction Video
Click on the photo box below to view this informative, procedural presentation including an introduction, an overview with illustrations indicating incisions and how the procedure is performed, how best to prepare and what to to expect, and how to take care of yourself after the procedure.
Patients for Life
Liposuction Uses
Liposuction is often performed during procedures like an arm lift or thigh lift in order to help reduce the amount of fat in the area and refine the overall shape. Liposuction is also commonly performed as a part of a mommy makeover.
The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations. Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final contour. (Hanging skin won’t reshape to your body’s new contours, and may require an additional procedure to surgically remove the excess skin. This procedure will leave visible scars.)
Liposuction is not recommended if you’ve had recent surgery on the spot to be sculpted, if you have poor blood circulation in that area, or if you have heart or lung disease. Liposuction by itself will not improve the dimpled skin known as cellulite, though there are other techniques that may improve this condition.
Post-operative Procedures & Recovery
You should not expect to look or feel great right after surgery. You may even be heavier for a while because of the extra fluids you’ve been given. The suctioned areas will be swollen and bruised, and you may feel a burning sensation. Medications can control the pain, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.
You should be back to work in 2 – 3 days, or as much as two weeks after surgery. When you resume activity depends on the extent of your procedure, how you feel and what is recommended. Most of the swelling and discoloration will be gone a month or two after surgery, but some swelling can remain for six months or more.
Liposuction Results
Suction-assisted lipectomy is a highly effective technique for giving you a new body contour with very little scarring. Providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly, the result can be permanent. If you do gain weight, you’ll probably gain it more evenly throughout your body, not just in the former “bulges.”
Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction — they feel more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes, and more at ease with their bodies. As long as your expectations are realistic, you should be happy with your new shape.
Schedule a Consultation
Contact or call The Cosmetic Surgery Center today at (757) 497 - 5400 for more information or to schedule your consultation with Dr. JoAnne Lopes. We have provided numerous patients in Virginia Beach with excellent results form their liposuction and can do the same for you.
Information provided by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
