Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

In my last post, I discussed the dramatic effect that liposuction can have on shedding (or transferring) excess fat. Here, I’ll get into what exactly the procedure entails, what the recovery’s like, and how long you can expect the results from liposuction to last.

How it works

There are several variations on the technique, each aimed at reducing tissue damage and shortening recovery time, but the most traditional—and widely-performed—form of liposuction is called tumescent liposuction. With this particular technique, the plastic surgeon makes one or more small incisions (a quarter inch or less) in the targeted area and injects a mixture of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the tissue. The fluid will make the fat easier to remove. It also will constrict the blood vessels, which will help minimize bruising, blood loss, and recovery time.

From there, the board-certified plastic surgeon will insert a thin tube called a cannula through the same incision and pass it back and forth under the skin to break up the fat before suctioning it out.

The procedure can last anywhere from a half-hour for a very small area to up to four hours when it includes much of the torso. “Does it hurt?” is a question that comes up often during the consultation. Depending on the extent of your liposuction, you’ll either be under general anesthesia or sedated, so you shouldn’t feel a thing during the procedure itself.

What the recovery’s like

You can expect to feel sore for the first few days after the surgery. There may also be some swelling or bruising. Generally, it’s a good idea to set aside about a week to rest before heading back to work. You’ll be prescribed a pain medication, but ibuprofen is often more than enough to remedy any discomfort.

As the swelling subsides, the treated area (or areas) may appear a little lumpy. That will improve after a few weeks. Many plastic surgeons will recommend that you wear a compression garment as you recover, which can not only help prevent any lumps from forming it’ll also help minimize the swelling and bruising and speed up the healing process.

When you’ll see the results

You should be able to notice the improvement in your silhouette right after the procedure, even with the swelling. As you heal, the results will continue to improve for up to a year after the procedure.

What often starts as a humble desire to simply fit better in their pants, for many, evolves into the impetus to kickstart a healthier lifestyle, once the dramatic results become evident. And, as long as that new weight is maintained, the results will last.

Even in cases where some or all of the weight is gained back, the treated area will still look better than if you’d never had liposuction. In a recent study of people who underwent the procedure and gained the weight back, they still reported being very happy with their results.

In my last post, the first of this quick, two-part series, I got into the how, as in how to start going about a breast augmentation. The consultation is such a critical part of the process because it’s where you and your plastic surgeon begin to get to know each other, and that bond will prove to be essential to shaping the breasts you want. Here, I’ll discuss what exactly the surgery entails, what the recovery’s like, and how breast augmentation differs from a breast lift.

What happens during the procedure

Generally, the surgery is done under either general anesthesia or conscious sedation. For the latter, you’ll remain awake, but you’ll be in a deeply relaxed state and you won’t be able to feel any pain.

The procedure itself is fairly straightforward. I’ll make a small, economic incision to create a pocket to make room for the implant. Once I’ve positioned the implant, I’ll close and bandage the incision. The entire procedure usually lasts less than two hours, and you’ll be able to go home soon afterward.

I practice conservation when making any incision, which reduces downtime and post-operative pain as much as possible. The incisions will leave minimal scars, but they heal very well and become harder to see with time. Plus, they’ll be located in an inconspicuous spot, so you likely wouldn’t notice them unless you looked for them.

What the recovery’s like

Everyone recovers from surgery at a slightly different pace, but, on average, it takes about four to six weeks to fully resume your normal activities. You should feel significantly better within a week, though you’ll still want to stick to light activity and avoid high-intensity workouts until you’re fully healed.

Should you need pain medications after the surgery, you’ll have access to them in accordance with your overall recovery plan.

If you’re doing the math in your head, the coming weeks would make for an ideal time to have the surgery done. You’d be able to recover completely and still have the entire summer ahead of you.

Breast augmentation vs. breast lift

For most women, particularly those post-pregnancy or -weight loss, a certain amount of drooping of the breast is to be expected. If the breasts already have sufficient volume, a breast lift may be all that’s needed to restore the fullness and perkiness. Very often, though, the lift is done in combination with a breast augmentation.

With a breast lift, the surgeon remove excess, stretched-out skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and raises the nipple and areola to a more forward position, which creates a more youthful contour. Those who undergo the procedure are usually able to return to work within a few days, as long as it isn’t too physically demanding, and to most normal activities within a week.

To find out which approach is best suited for you—a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a combination of the two—consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

For more on this topic, check out Dr. Davis’s podcast – The Plastic Surgery Revolution.