Following Liposuction, Most Patients Have Very Little Pain
Prior to your liposuction procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will carefully outline the areas of bulging fat that are to be suctioned. He or she will then draw detailed contour lines in order to further define the contour and shape characteristics of the deposits of fat. Plastic surgeons will use to “tumescent technique” in which a large amount of fluid will be initially placed to swell the area. This technique will allow for fat to be removed in a very smooth, safe, and symmetrical manner. The fluid is able to help loosen the fat while providing a local anesthesia for operative and immediate post-operative discomfort. It will also be able to provide epinephrine which is capable of decreasing bleeding.
In a tumescent lipoplasty, small incisions will be created and small suctions tubes will be inserted to the proper depth of the fat deposit. This cannula, or tube, will then be passed back and forth until an appropriate amount of fat has been removed. The cannula will then be moved over about half of an inch, and again several passes will be made until fat is removed. The entire bulging area will be treated in this fashion. The plastic surgeon will carefully remove small amounts at a time, constantly checking the contour and thickness of the fat as this suctioning proceeds.
After this suctioning is completed, the opposite side will be treated the same way. Your cosmetic surgeon will compare the two sides and adjust the contours to match. After this, the incisions will be carefully closed, and an elastic dressing or garment will be placed to put a gentle pressure on the skin. This will prevent excess fluid from accumulating in the area which has been suctioned. All of the incisions are carefully closed with stitches placed beneath the skin. This will make it so that there is no chance of “railroad” looking scars, but rather very fine line scars will appear. Immediately, you will be able to bathe or shower. None of these stitches will need to be removed, they will simply just dissolve.
Following a lipoplasty, many patients will have very little pain, but rather they will experience such things as tightness, soreness, or fullness. To minimize to collection of swelling and fluid in the areas treated, your plastic surgeon will request that you wear an elastic garment which will be provided for two weeks or more post-surgery. The amount of time will depend on the extent of your procedure. The treated areas will likely feel sore for up to 72 hours, and the soreness will resolve over the next two to three days. You will likely be prescribed medication by your plastic surgeon. Bruising may develop, but will subside with time.
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