How to Prepare for Liposuction
The American Association of Plastic Surgeons recommends that
patients undergo a series of physical examinations before the
liposuction surgery. The purpose of these exams is to determine
whether or not the patient is in good enough health to have the
procedure performed, and to rule out any underlying medical
issues that may complicate the surgery. It is extremely
important for a patient to thoroughly discuss any health issues,
including the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs,
and/or herbal remedies currently used. Supplying the physician
with a detailed medical history will give both patient and
surgeon a better understanding of what the specific risk factors
may be.
Once a patient has decided to follow through with liposuction
surgery, he or she should be presented with all of the available
options. These include traditional liposuction, tumescent
liposuction (a procedure resulting in less blood loss and other
complications), as well as various choices for anesthesia. A
reputable physician will inform the patient long the surgery
will last, how many incisions will be made, probable amount and
severity of scarring, and how long the expected recovery time
may be.
The surgeon will outline the areas to be treated with a marker.
After anesthesia is administered and has taken effect, the
doctor will make a small incision in the skin. A hollow steel
tube is then inserted, and a vacuum is used to suction out the
fatty tissue. Since much fluid is lost through this procedure,
it is necessary for the patient to have an IV to replace
diminished fluids and to prevent dehydration.
In order to reduce pain and discomfort, the patient will receive
either local or general anesthesia. If the surgeon uses the
tumescent technique, the fluid used to promote swelling of the
fat pockets may be the only method of anesthesia. Intravenous
sedation, epidural blockage and general anesthesia are the most
common pain-reducing methods. Since liposuction is a surgical
procedure, the patient's blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels
will be monitored closely.
Doctors recommend that on the day the procedure is to be
performed, the patient have someone drive him or her to the
hospital or doctor's office. Unless performed on an outpatient
setting (for smaller liposuction surgeries), any type of
surgical procedure will require a hospital stay, so it is also
important to pack a bag that contains anything the patient will
need during the stay. Even if the procedure is performed in an
outpatient setting, the patient will likely be too tired,
uncomfortable or groggy from the surgery to drive home alone.
Depending on the amount of fat removed and the physical location
of the surgery, the patient may be able to leave within a few
hours, although some may require a night or so of hospital stay.
Recovery time should be discussed before liposuction so that the
patient will have a realistic timeframe of when he or she can
return to work or other normal activities.