Liposuction
Liposuction in Richmond, VA
Liposuction is one of the most popular body contouring procedures amongst men and women. The procedure removes little pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Richmond Plastic Surgeons offers liposuction for men and women in Richmond, Midlothian and surrounding areas of Virginia.
What is Liposuction?
You have probably heard about liposuction because it is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures for men and women. Lipo works by removing pockets of fat from the hips, thighs, abdomen, back, arms and other areas of the body. The result is a toned, contoured appearance.
The techniques used for liposuction have improved over the years, and these improvements provide increased patient safety and fewer complications. Men and women who have lipo at Richmond Plastic Surgeons are amazed not only with the elimination of fat but the way that our surgeons precisely remove the fat. When liposuction was first introduced as a cosmetic procedure, the overall goal was to simply remove fat. Our surgeons have perfected techniques that leave some fat in place to give the treatment area a toned, yet natural and attractive appearance.
Benefits of Liposuction
Compared to other surgical solutions for body contouring, lipo is relatively less invasive. The fat is removed with a device known as a “cannula” rather than directly excising the extra fat. This means that men and women who have liposuction experience a shorter healing time with reduced post-procedure symptoms. You are able to enjoy the benefits of body sculpting in less time and return to your activities sooner.
Lipo can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with other body sculpting procedures to refine the results.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Liposuction?
The primary consideration for lipo is your current weight. Liposuction is not a solution for losing weight, but rather a method with which to refine the toned appearance of your body. You should demonstrate that you are actively following a healthy lifestyle prior to opting for liposuction. Your plastic surgeon helps you in this decision-making process.
What Do I Need to Do Before Having Liposuction?
Because liposuction is a popular procedure, BEWARE of practitioners who are NOT surgeons but perform the procedure. This often leads to poor patient outcomes. Liposuction requires finesse, surgical skill, and knowledge of an individual’s anatomy to be performed safely and effectively. In order to be completely satisfied with the results of your lipo, we recommend that you start the journey with a consultation at Richmond Plastic Surgeons.
What Should I Expect on The Day of My Liposuction?
Liposuction is performed using a local anesthesia that may be coupled with a sedative. In most cases, general anesthesia is not required, but this varies by case. We use tumescent liposuction to remove extra fat. A special solution is injected under your skin. The solution helps with the removal of the fat. Small incisions are made in the treatment area, and a small tube, known as a “cannula,” is inserted into the incision. The cannula is used to dislodge and suction out the fat.
How Long Does It Take to Perform Liposuction?
Lipo can take one to three hours. Factors that affect the surgery time are:
- Size and location of the treatment area
- Amount of fat to be removed
- Degree of sculpting based on gender and anatomy
What to Expect After Liposuction
The incisions for lipo typically do not require sutures. The area is wrapped with a compression bandage or garment to manage swelling and keep the tissues in place. You will wear the garment for several weeks. The most common symptoms after lipo are bruising, tenderness, discomfort and swelling. Your plastic surgeon provides instructions on how to promote proper healing, including restrictions on your activities.
Will I Have Scars After Getting Liposuction?
The incisions used for lipo are very small, but some small scars will develop as part of the healing process. People will not be able to see the scars except upon very close inspection. As your body begins to heal the incision, a pink scar develops. This gradually changes to a brown or tan scar which continues to fade over six to 12 months.
When Will I See the Results?
Because liposuction removes fat from your body, you will see a change in the treatment area immediately after the surgery. After four to six months, the swelling will subside, and you will see the full results of your lipo procedure.
What Are Possible Complications of Liposuction?
Even though liposuction does not require general anesthesia, the procedure does have some general risks. These risks can be significantly reduced by entrusting your fat removal procedure to one of our experienced plastic surgeons. Men and women who have liposuction by a practitioner who is not qualified often experience:
- Irregularities caused by the removal of too little or too much fat
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Unnatural appearance
- Significant scarring
- Moderate to severe post-procedure symptoms, such as discomfort
How Long Will the Results of Liposuction Last?
Lipo permanently removes fat from your body, but you can still gain fat. Continuing with your diet and exercise will minimize the chances of gaining new fat, although this is not always possible with pregnancy or aging.
How Much Does Liposuction Cost in Richmond?
Medical insurance does not cover the cost of liposuction because the procedure is considered elective. After your consultation, we will have the information we need to provide an accurate cost. For your convenience, we accept several forms of payment, and financing is available through CareCredit®. You can even apply before your consultation so that you know if the procedure will fit into your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does it take to recover from liposuction?
While everybody’s body heals at a different pace, we recommend taking between seven and 10 days off of work following your liposuction procedure. It is normal to experience some tenderness in your treated areas for about two weeks following your liposuction surgery, and swelling may take up to six months to completely fade.
2. Does fat come back after lipo?
No, the fat that is removed from your liposuction procedure is removed permanently and no new fat cells are created to take their place. This means that the results of your liposuction procedure have the potential to last a lifetime. That being said, this does not mean you will never gain weight in your treated areas following liposuction. The results of your liposuction procedure may be disrupted with pregnancy or excessive weight gain, as the remaining fat cells may migrate and swell.
3. How much fat can lipo remove?
According to guidelines set by national standards, our surgeons will not remove more than 5,000mL or roughly 11lbs of fat from a patient during their liposuction procedure. Liposuction is a great supplement to a balanced diet, regular workout routine, and overall healthy lifestyle. Liposuction should not be used as a quick solution to lose a bunch of weight, rather it should be a booster to the hard work you put in every day.
4. How do I prepare for liposuction?
Preparing for your liposuction procedure is similar to preparing for any other surgical procedure. We advise you to stop smoking and discontinue the use of blood-thinning anti-inflammatory drugs like Aspirin that may increase bleeding during your procedure. We also recommend you talk to your plastic surgeon about the prescription medications you are taking prior to your procedure to ensure certain medications will not clash when taken together.
5. What helps swelling after lipo?
One of the best ways to reduce your swelling following your liposuction procedure is by wearing the specially designed compression garment your plastic surgeon provides you after your surgery. This compression garment not only helps reduce the amount of swelling you experience, but it also helps your skin form tightly against your body’s new contours.
Stubborn fat is one of the most frustrating cosmetic problems for men and women in the Richmond area. Liposuction that is performed by one of our experienced plastic surgeons gives you the body that have always wanted. If you live in the Richmond, Midlothian and surrounding area of Virginia, contact us to schedule a personal consultation.