Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

The “Quarantine 15” is real. We’ve all been under a ton of stress over the last few weeks. And, with precious few ways to process it, many of us are turning to the fridge or the pantry, again and again.

It’s important to remember, though, that this situation is temporary. I say that not only to offer hope during a challenging time but as a reminder that these shelter-at-home restrictions will eventually lift. When we return to a life beyond sweatpants and yoga pants, do you want to be saddled with your “Quarantine 15,” or perhaps even more? Of course not.

Enter liposuction, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that removes excess fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, butt, arms, and neck and, in the process, contours the body.

Starting fresh

Liposuction continues to grow in popularity—it was the second-most performed cosmetic surgical procedure in 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons—even as nonsurgical fat-reduction treatments have become one of the fastest-growing segments of cosmetic plastic surgery. And that’s because only liposuction has the ability to provide patients with dramatic results after only one session.

Using a thin tube called a cannula, a board-certified plastic surgeon can remove stubborn pockets of fat through tiny incisions in much larger volumes than is possible with nonsurgical treatments. The surgeon can also contour the body as the fat is removed and transfer the fat, after it’s been purified, to other areas to add fullness.

In 2018 alone, 1.7 million liposuction procedures were performed worldwide, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In many of those cases, people simply wanted to fit in their clothes a little better and feel a bit younger in the process. But, shedding a significant amount of weight so quickly also tends to have the effect of kickstarting a healthier lifestyle. Imagine coming out of quarantine with a chance to start fresh.

Finding the right surgeon

As with any type of cosmetic surgical procedure, finding a qualified plastic surgeon is critical to achieving your desired results.

For starters, look for a plastic surgeon who’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Physicians who pursue cosmetic surgery can have varied backgrounds. And it’s not always a given that they include formal plastic surgery training in an accredited program. However, an ABPS-certified plastic surgeon is required to complete a residency specifically for plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Beyond that, use experience as a filter. Find a plastic surgeon who’s not only been practicing for at least 10 years but who’s been performing this particular procedure for much of that time. That’ll ensure that they understand the nuances of the procedure and can tailor the treatment to your particular needs and wants.

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.