Liposuction is a surgical procedure that consists in eliminating excess localized and unwanted fat from certain parts of the body – tummy, hips, thighs, arms, etc.
If you are considering liposuction, it is important to understand the different steps you need to follow before and after the operation to obtain the best results, particularly in terms of weight. Indeed, the importance of a healthy lifestyle after the operation is essential!
What is liposuction? What does it involve?
Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that involves eliminating localized, unwanted clusters of fat through suction to restore a well-proportioned silhouette. This procedure can be performed on several parts of the body, in particular the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms and chin, saddlebags, and love handles. Liposuction involves inserting fine cannulas into small incisions in the skin and sucking out the fat cells to eliminate them (definitively).
Why is liposuction not strictly speaking a slimming method?
Liposuction is often considered a fast and easy method of weight loss… wrongly! It is not a slimming method.
It aims to eliminate stubborn fat deposits in specific areas of the body but it is not a solution for overall weight loss and is no substitute. The purpose is to eliminate rebellious fat that resists diet and physical exercise and reshape the silhouette. However, weight loss will generally be minimal even inexistent after liposuction.
Indeed, our body is made up of 70% water, and like oil, fat is much less dense than water (try putting some oil in a glass of water, the oil floats on the surface). Consequently, unlike water, a liter of fat does not weigh a kilo but much less!
Moreover, liposuction cannot treat the underlying health problems that can in part be the cause of weight gain: hormone problems, food disorders, or any other medical condition.
Liposuction is not a method to lose weight and it is contraindicated for people who are obese or overweight. It is aimed at men and women with a normal or slightly above normal body mass index (BMI) who want to target and eliminate some localized areas of fat and reshape their silhouette.
Liposuction and weight loss: is liposuction a complement to weight loss?
Liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss; it does not replace a balanced diet and regular exercise.
However, as mentioned earlier, liposuction is a method of eliminating stubborn fat deposits that cannot be eliminated by the aforementioned means: it is therefore an excellent complement to weight loss… but not an alternative! When an area resists a healthy lifestyle and/or weight loss, liposuction removes excess residual fat.
What steps must be followed when dieting and for liposuction?
If you are considering undergoing liposuction, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and regular physical exercise before and after the operation. This will help you maintain a stable weight while improving your physical and mental condition. Forget highly restrictive or fad diets that can deprive your body of essential nutrients!
After the operation, it is recommended you follow the postoperative instructions carefully to maximize the results, and in particular make sure you wear the compression garment and carry out drainage during the first days after the operation.
A few hours after liposuction
- Compression garment
You must wear compression garments for several weeks (4 to 8) after the operation to help reduce swelling (edema) and promote healing. These garments are specifically designed to maintain constant pressure on the areas treated and help prevent the formation of blood clots; the seams are positioned so as not to damage the skin.
- First shower
After the operation, you can have a shower the following morning but you must avoid taking a bath in the first days after the operation. During the first days, it is recommended not to remove the compression garments and wash with them as the edema sets in 3 to 4 days after the operation and even after just a short period without compression there is a risk that during those few days the garment will be hard (even impossible) to put back on.
- Scars, bruising, and pain
After the operation, it is normal to observe bruising and edema and experience a little pain. These side effects are normal and gradually disappear over time. Due to edema and bruising, liposuction is uncomfortable even painful surgery, and painkillers are prescribed to manage the discomfort and relieve the pain.
- Drainage
Lymphatic drainage is often a much underestimated part of postoperative treatment to improve recovery. Indeed, drainage helps reduce edema more rapidly and therefore improve the pain.
- Scars
The scars after liposuction are almost – even totally – imperceptible. They are usually positioned asymmetrically on the body making them much more discreet than symmetrical (and therefore not very natural) scars. It is essential to keep the treated areas out of the sun for several weeks after the operation to prevent bruising turning into a brown spot.
- Lifestyle
And after liposuction? It is important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet to maintain a stable weight and reduce the risk of gaining weight after liposuction.
You can gradually resume physical activities after the operation: you can resume gentle daily activities after a few days but any intense physical activity should be avoided for several weeks.
- My medical team and I can answer any questions or doubts you may have.
In summary
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that can help you eliminate stubborn fat deposits in different parts of the body and recover a well-proportioned silhouette. Do you have to go on a diet before or after? The answer is neither: your weight needs to be stable. In other words, no drastic diets but rather a lifestyle and good habits implemented in the long term. Patients are very satisfied with this surgery as long as the pre and post-operative instructions are followed.