Sticking to a healthy diet and exercise program is not always enough to get rid of unwanted fat in some areas of the body. If stubborn fat is preventing you from enjoying life to the fullest, Austin Plastic Surgery Institute offers liposuction surgery for individuals in Austin, TX. At our clinic, our board-certified professionals help by addressing fat in the abdomen, neck, waist, hips, thighs, and other places for a more defined appearance. If you have questions such as “How does liposuction work?†and “What happens after liposuction?†— our knowledgeable team can help. Contact our office and schedule a plastic surgery consultation today.
How does liposuction work?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that works by removing fat cells from beneath the skin. It can be done as a stand alone procedure or in conjunction with breast surgery, tummy tuck, etc. At your consultation, one of our skilled Board Certified plastic surgeons will examine the areas of concern and create a personalized surgical plan. Liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia with a specialized technique called SAFE lipo using the PALS system. Tumescent solution is initially placed to separate the fat cells and then a specialized cannula is used to emulsify and liquefy the fat before suctioning it out. Once this is done, the specialized basket cannula is used once again off suction to equalize the fat and minimize any irregularity. The SAFE lipo technique maximizes how much fat can be removed and minimizes any risk of contour irregularity. It is much more effective than other techniques like CoolSculpting and it does not require additional procedures. Although liposuction is not a weight-loss substitute, it can treat some areas that are difficult to tone, such as the abdomen, flanks, arms and legs. Austin Plastic Surgery Institute is pleased to perform this surgery on patients who desire a slimmer appearance.
About liposuction recovery
Although liposuction is minimally invasive and superficial, it does take several weeks to heal from this body contouring surgery completely. Based on the areas treated, it will take time before patients can return to their schedule as normal. The following timeline is an estimate of what you can expect during the recovery process. For more specific information, we encourage you to contact our facility in Austin, TX. We can help you set and achieve ideal recovery goals for your situation.
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Weeks 1 – 2: Although some pain and swelling are common, this can be managed through prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Austin Plastic Surgery Institute will also send you home with a compression garment to reduce discomfort and minimize swelling. Daily activities should be limited since rest is an important part of the healing process. It will probably be 3-4 days before you are driving and running errands.
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Weeks 3– 4: As the majority of the swelling subsides, you should be able to see some results after liposuction surgery. You can start light exercise at this point. Your physician will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress and check the incision sites or liposuction scars.
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Weeks 4 – 6: At this point, the liposuction results become more noticeable and will only continue to improve. You may return to regular exercise as long as this has been cleared by your plastic surgeon and there were no complications during the recovery process.
Liposuction incision care
Liposuction incisions are usually less than a centimeter. Regardless, it is important to clean and care for the incisions during liposuction recovery. Our staff takes careful precautions to hide incisions in natural creases so they heal flat and evenly on the skin. This should result in minimal liposuction scars. We also provide helpful information about Silagen for scar treatment management. The treatment site normally requires about two weeks to heal following surgery at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute.
Maintaining liposuction results
While liposuction is among the most popular surgeries for reducing fat, it is commonly misunderstood. The purpose of liposuction is not weight loss, but rather to reshape certain areas that can’t be reached through traditional diet and exercise. The good news is that once the fat cells are eliminated from the body, they do not grow back. However, it is possible for the remaining fat cells to grow. This is why patients need to maintain liposuction results by keeping up with a healthy lifestyle and staying near their ideal weight. Your primary physician or a nutritionist can recommend a plan moving forward based on your medical history and lifestyle.
Liposuction treatment at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute
So, how does liposuction work for you? If you are not satisfied with your appearance because of stubborn fat in the hips, thighs, abdomen, or other areas, it may be time to consider liposuction. This body contouring surgery can slim down and refine your shape by eliminating unwanted pockets of fat. The caring staff at Austin Plastic Surgery Institute invite you to call and set up a liposuction consultation today. We have performed countless surgeries for patients who see successful results. Learn more about liposuction recovery, liposuction scars, and what to expect after liposuction by contacting our team.
