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Liposuction, also known as “lipo,” is a common and popular treatment for those that are unhappy with certain areas of stubborn fat cells and deposits. Learn more about this treatment during a consultation with our team at Old Town Medspa in Chicago, IL!
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a minimally invasive treatment for areas of stubborn fat builds up on your body. This extra fat is removed through a small tube called a cannula. It is specifically targeted and suctioned from the body through this tube with safe, effective, and slimming results.
This treatment is done most commonly using a tumescent technique with the help of ultrasound imaging or laser energy. It is most generally performed as an outpatient treatment using local anesthesia. Tiny incisions are made, the tube is inserted, and the fat is suctioned out.
Who Is A Candidate?
Not everyone is a good fit for liposuction. To qualify as a good candidate, it is recommended that you are in good overall health and have a healthy lifestyle.
It is also important to have realistic expectations of this treatment. Liposuction is meant to be used as a way to help with fat deposits unresponsive to diet, exercise, and other natural weight loss methods. This is not meant for major weight loss, nor can it take the place of diet and exercise.
Which Areas Can Be Treated?
Liposuction can be done on many areas of the body, including but not limited to the following:
- Thighs
- Hips and buttocks
- Upper arms
- Back
- Abdomen and waist
- Chest area
- Inner knee
- Calves and ankles
- Cheeks, chin, and neck
What Results Can I Expect?
Most patients see immediate results that make them appear slimmer and more contoured. However, each patient will have different goals. These goals will be discussed at length during a consultation, and a process or timeline will be established according to those goals.
For some, one treatment is all that is needed to achieve their goals. For others, one or more treatments may be necessary.
The results of any treatment can be permanent; however, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Without diet and proper exercise, your body will likely fall into the state it was before your treatments. These treatments do not improve skin tone or firmness. As your body ages, you are likely to see a natural loss in firmness.
If you think you are a good candidate for liposuction and would like to consider the possibilities of a slimmer, more contoured you, contact us today at Old Town Medspa in Chicago, IL for an initial consultation today.
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What is Liposuction Recovery Like?
If you schedule a liposuction procedure, you should schedule at least a few days off work to allow time for rest and recovery. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be advised to take about a week off. During that time, you will need to follow explicit aftercare instructions to help your tiny incisions heal and your fatty tissue smooth out beneath your skin.
You may walk beginning the day of your procedure. Doing so is important to maintain optimal circulation. However, this will be limited to short distances, like walking around the house, a few times a day. You may gradually increase your walking and other light activities after a few days but should avoid lifting and activities that significantly increase your heart rate.
You may need to take over-the-counter or prescription painkillers for a few days after liposuction. You'll also wear a compression garment to assist with the resolution of swelling and bruising.
Your post-op instructions will outline how to care for your incision sites.
By about three weeks after your procedure, your side effects should be significantly better and your routine should be back to normal. You may feel comfortable enough to return to a desk job or other light job as soon as one week after surgery. Full clearance usually comes about six weeks after surgery.
We welcome questions and concerns at any time during your liposuction recovery and also schedule follow-up visits to continually check your healing progress.
Liposuction or Tummy Tuck: Which is Best?
Many people wonder if they would be better served by liposuction or a tummy tuck! This is understandable because both can be performed in the same general area.
You may be a better candidate for liposuction if your primary concern is excess fatty tissue. For liposuction to achieve ideal results, your skin and connective tissue should be relatively taut already.
If, on the other hand, you have a relatively flat midsection but the area looks loose and flabby due to the condition of your connective tissue and skin, you may be better served by a tummy tuck.
At Old Town Med Spa, we perform surgical liposuction and also offer a number of non-surgical body contouring treatments. Here, you may find that you can achieve outstanding results without having to consider a tummy tuck at all.
Should I Lose Weight Before Liposuction?
You should not focus on weight loss before liposuction unless expressly advised to do so by a doctor. The liposuction procedure is generally scheduled when you're at a weight you can manage, and that weight has been stable for at least a few months.
How Much Weight Can I Expect to Lose from Liposuction?
It's best to approach your liposuction with zero expectation of weight loss.
This procedure is designed to sculpt the body, not make you weigh less. Ideally, you will be at your healthiest weight when you schedule liposuction. That way, you can align with the primary goal of the procedure, which is to improve your body contours by removing small areas of excess fat.
Through liposuction, a surgeon can remove between two and five liters of fat. This usually equates to no more than about 10 pounds.
Does Liposuction Hurt?
Liposuction involves the use of tumescent fluid. This multi-ingredient solution is infused into the surgical area to achieve a few different objectives. One of these is acting as a local anesthetic. The power of tumescent anesthetic is so profound that liposuction can often be performed without the need for general anesthesia. This can be done without compromising your comfort.