5 Things to Know Before Liposuction

Dr. David Stoker

beautiful woman lying on her back in black bra and panties

My Los Angeles liposuction patients always surprise me with how much they already know about the procedure. But there are still some pervasive myths and misconceptions that deserve to be addressed. Here are 5 important points to consider before you schedule your liposuction surgery:

  • Choose your provider wisely. If you’ve spent any time researching aesthetic professionals, you’ve probably noticed the importance of choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, especially for invasive procedures like liposuction. Board-certified plastic surgeons have proven their competence in a series of rigorous written and oral exams. They also have displayed exceptional understanding of good safety practices, ensuring that you’re in the best possible hands before, during, and after surgery. By choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your surgery, you reduce the risk of aesthetic and clinical complications occurring.
  • Know your motivations. Liposuction isn’t weight-loss surgery, and this point can’t be emphasized enough. The risks of any surgery are higher for patients who are significantly overweight. Additionally, liposuction isn’t meant to remove large volumes of fat. Instead, it’s intended to be a body contouring procedure for removing small deposits of fat, to complement your body, not completely transform it. Liposuction is best at reducing localized areas of fat that are resistant to changes in diet and exercise habits.
  • Liposuction isn’t just for your thighs. Many people associate liposuction with a few key areas of the body, such as the hips and thighs. While it’s certainly effective at treating these areas, it’s by no means limited to them. Liposuction can be customized to treat other, more specific areas, such as the upper arms, calves, knees, neck, and chin.
  • You might be back to work sooner than you think. While you won’t instantly be back to 100% after your surgery, your recuperation may be less intense than you imagine it. Depending on the extent of your procedure, you might be able to comfortably return to work and other light activities the very next day. Of course, we’ll discuss your likely downtime during your consultation.
  • And you’ll look great sooner than you think, too. You may have heard stories of intense, long-term swelling and results that take a long time to develop. However, today’s more refined techniques usually result in less trauma to tissue, and less swelling and bruising, too. Your results will develop faster than you might expect. Typically, visible liposuction improvements are immediate and impressive. My patients usually look great within 2 to 4 weeks, with continued improvement over the course of 6 months.

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