Liposuction FAQ
Liposuction FAQ
Is Liposuction a Good Way to Lose Weight?
In a word? No. And it's not a substitute for a healthy diet or exercise. Liposuction is at it's best a contour shaper and a way to remove fat from areas that are resistant to exercise. The best candidates are those who are healthy and merely 10-15 pounds over their ideal weight. It's also much less effective for people who are obese and brings with it increased health risks.
How Does Liposuction Work?
There are several different types of liposuction procedures, but the common denominator is basically a thin surgical instrument (called a cannula) is inserted into the area to loosen the fat cells and then suction them out. The most popular technique is the tumescent technique, which involves pumping salt water into the area first to break up the fat, make it easier to suction out and cause less pain. Ultrasonic or laser liposuction essentially does the same thing but breaks up the fat with ultrasonic waves before suctioning it out. This form of lipo uses the latest technologies which help to liquefy the fat molecules and enables them to be easily removed.
Is Liposuction Permanent?
Technically, once the fat is gone, it's gone. And after lipo, the treated area does have fewer fat cells left to accumulate fat. Still, if you gain the weight back the fat will naturally return.
How should I find the surgeon to ensure my procedure is a success?
A board certified surgeon is the best choice, and they are licensed by states to provide their consumers a level of safety that is assured. Liposuction cost varies with the provider, and a cheaper price is usually a result of procedures that are hurried and incomplete.
Can I have my liposuction in the doctor’s office instead of the hospital?
Patients have several options, and these depend on their aesthetic physician as well as their own desires. Some surgeons have fully furnished operating suites in their office and can conduct lipo in their offices. The lipo cost will also be more economical in a doctor's office.
How long will it take me to recover from my operation?
A board certified surgeon can ensure their clients have minimal recovery times, and this depends on the extent of the surgery. Smart liposuction is becoming more common, and this relies on the use of the latest technologies to ensure clients are able to leave an office or hospital in as little as 30 minutes according to liposuction.com.
How long will it take before I can return to work and normal activities?
Smart lipo targets only the fat cells that need to be removed, and this minimizes the amount of time that is required for clients to heal. Surgeons can answer this question completely, but most ensure their clients can return to their normal activities in as little as two days.
How much will I have to pay for this type of procedure?
Liposuction cost varies with the number of areas that are treated. If a patient needs to have more than one area worked on, this will cost more than a single spot. Some patients also require multiple sessions, especially if they have large deposits of fat. Look at our cost pages for more detailed information.
Will my insurance cover the liposuction cost, or do I need to pay myself?
Insurance will generally not pay for any type of cosmetic surgery, but they will if this is used for reconstruction. Cheap liposuction is becoming more common, and the advances in technology ensure clients can afford their procedures.
How about financing, is there medical financing offered through my aesthetic physician?
Lipo cost is becoming more affordable every day, and there are many firms that now offer their clients medical financing. This depends on the particular surgeon, and their office staff is able to provide detailed information. So yes, there are a variety of certified surgeons who provide cheap liposuction and offer financing.
What is the minimum and maximum age for people to have this type of operation?
There are generally no age limits for clients who wish to have their deposits of fat removed through smart lipo, as this is a minimally invasive procedure that relies on a small incision and a suction device that is called a cannula. WebMD puts the average age of clients at 43.
What is lipoplasty, is this the same as liposuction?
Yes. Lipoplasty aka lipo aka liposuction.
How safe are these procedures and what are the risks?
Tumescent anesthesia has eliminated virtually all of the risks that were associated with liposuction. This is a local anesthesia that numbs only the area where the incision and the cannula are inserted. Clients who are in relatively good health face little danger.
What are the benefits that I will get, and how much weight will I lose?
People can have nearly all of their fat removed, from difficult areas such as the lower back, buttocks and waist line. There are chances for this to come back if a person does not make lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.
Will I have to wear elastic garments after my operation?
Yes, these are necessary, and they help the body to regain its natural shape. There is usually a substantial amount of fat that is removed during smart liposuction, and elastic garments are required to ensure there is no loose skin after the procedure.
Does Liposuction Hurt?
It's pretty hard to generalize with something as subjective as feeling pain, but the short answer for most is yes - liposuction does hurt a bit. It's not necessarily excruciating pain, but it is surgery - meaning your body has been cut open and undergone some form of trauma - so some pain is to be expected. During the surgery, patients are under anesthesia so will feel very little pain or discomfort. Post-surgery, slight swelling and bruising are common, but after a week or so you should be mostly pain free (depending on the size of the area treated and your general activity). You'll also be given pain killers by your doctor to help with any pain the first few days after surgery.
Does Liposuction Leave a Scar?
Ultimately, there does have to be an incision and an entry point for the cannula, so there will be some form of scarring but likely very minimal. Again, given advances in technology, the size of the incision and the cannula itself gets smaller and smaller, meaning less and less of a visible trace. For most people however the mark is very small and fades with time.
Does Liposuction Get Rid of Cellulite?
No. Liposuction generally does not help get rid of cellulite.
Does Liposuction Affect Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is unaffected by liposuction. Many women also have liposuction post-partum to remove some of their pregnancy fat. Women who plan to get pregnant post-liposuction surgery occasionally worry if the results will be negated by the pregnancy weight gain, but the opposite can be true. Because fat cells are removed during liposuction, it may actually limit weight gain in those areas. Once the baby weight is lost, the original contour from the liposuction will maintain its shape.
Does Liposuction Leave Loose Skin?
It depends. If you are healthy, have very elastic skin and are only having very small fat pockets removed, the answer is no. If you're older, have looser skin and are having large pockets of fat removed, you may have some looseness. Most women who have liposuction of the abdomen post-pregnancy also have a tummy tuck, which removes excess skin.
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Liposuction prices will vary depending on the area(s) of the body chosen and the amount of work needed. The total price is usually broken down into a few separate costs: Surgeon fees, Facility fees, Medications, Anesthesia, Surgical garments & Medical tests.
Surgeons fees vary based on the operation required and the national average cost in 2010 was $2,884. Anesthesia fees range from $500 to $1,000. Facility fees vary based on the number of areas worked on and usually range from $600 to $1,200.