Liposuction: Getting Rid of the Fatty Bulges

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is the process of removing pockets of fat from the body through the use of suction. It can target specific pockets throughout the body in places like the buttocks, thighs, ankles, breasts, hips, waist, back, arms, neck, thighs, and calves. If you have good elasticity in your skin and muscle tone underneath, you can have definition and contour restored to your appearance.

Who should consider liposuction?

Liposuction does not take care of a weight problem; it is meant to treat stubborn fat deposits. Liposuction might be right for you if

• You are within thirty percent of your ideal weight.
• You are physically fit.
• Your weight is stable.
• You have good skin elasticity and minimal excess skin.
• You have localized fat deposits that will not respond to diet and exercise.

Will I have any scars left from the procedure?

Liposuction involves fat being sucked out through thin tubes called cannulas. The insertion points for the cannulas leave tiny scars that fade over time to the point of being practically invisible. Individuals who have extremely dark pigmentation in their skin have a higher chance of more obvious scarring, so you want to be sure to discuss this with Dr. Tolson ahead of time.

What goes into liposuction?

Consultation

If you are considering having liposuction, you need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tolson, who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons and is a member of the American Society for Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He takes the time to develop the best cosmetic plan for you as an individual, discussing the pros and cons of each procedure with you. Dr. Tolson has twenty-nine years of experience in the plastic surgery field and brings his expertise with him to every procedure.

Besides taking 3D photos of the area(s) to be treated, Dr. Tolson discusses

• Your medical history, including previous medical conditions, allergies to medications, and previous cosmetic procedures.
• Your current medications, vitamins, and supplements.
• Your current tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
• Your cosmetic goals.
• Your ideal weight and any necessary weight loss programs.
• Your plans for future pregnancies.
• Your skin’s elasticity and its underlying muscle tone.

Preparation

Once your consultation is finished, you need to schedule an appointment for the actual procedure. Before the procedure date arrives, you should

• Stop smoking at least six weeks in advance.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatories, and herbs that thin the blood at least two weeks in advance.
• Achieve the benchmarks in weight and physical fitness that Dr. Tolson set for you.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and stay with you the first night.

 Procedure

Liposuction is generally performed as an outpatient procedure. If the operation is more involved, you may need to spend the night at the facility. Dr. Tolson performs all his liposuctions in his state-of-the-art, AAAASF-certified operating room in Cumming, Georgia. The procedure can take anywhere from ninety minutes to three hours, depending on how extensive the procedure is. Most liposuctions are done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, but some may require general anesthesia.

Dr. Tolson makes his patients aware of which of the following procedures hi is going to use to remove the excess fatty deposits:

• Tumescent liposuction – Tolson injects a “wetting solution” into the target areas before surgery. The solution causes the blood vessels to shrink, reducing post-operative pain and bleeding. A local anesthesia is generally used with this procedure.
• Suction-assisted liposuction – Cannulas are inserted into the fatty deposits and a vacuum is used to suck the fat out. This is the traditional form of liposuction.
• Power-assisted liposuction – Suction-assisted liposuction and a tool are used to help increase the motion of the cannula, speeding up the fat removal.
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction – Ultrasounds is used to melt the fat allowing greater volumes of fat to be removed. Denser fat pockets and larger areas can also be addressed. This form is often used on male patients.
• Laser-assisted liposuction – Laser is used much like the ultrasound is used, disrupting the fat and making the removal much more efficient.

Recovery

Once the liposuction is complete, you are taken to recovery and observed, ensuring that you are doing well. If any drains have been inserted, Dr. Tolson or one of his staff goes over how to care for them at this time. You will be wearing a compression garment upon checkout and will need to wear it for the prescribed amount of time to ensure your skin shrinks correctly. Expect some redness and swelling at the cannula insertion points that should fully disappear within the first two to three weeks.

Your first two weeks at home, you need to rest. Elevate the treated area to help minimize swelling, which should peak in forty-eight hours. Any bruising should disappear within the first ten days, and the sutures should be removed within the first seven to ten days. Although you may return to work within a few days of the procedure, do not do any lifting or straining for at least ten days.

Somewhere between four to six weeks, you should be able to resume strenuous activity. Be sure to check with Dr. Tolson for a specific time frame. Please note that swelling of ten to fifteen percent is normal when you exercise. This swelling should disappear after six to nine months. Avoid sun bathing or heat for at least six weeks. Also, you need to wear your compression garment up to at least four weeks and maybe as long as six weeks.

If you follow Dr. Tolson’s instructions and maintain a healthy weight, your liposuction results should be permanent. Drastic changes in weight or pregnancies, although they cannot put the removed fat back into your body, can undo the sculpting that was done in the original liposuction.

You don’t have to just hide the unwanted bulges anymore. If diet and exercise just aren’t working for you, talk with Dr. Tolson and see if liposuction may be the answer to your fat deposit problems.