Liposuction dos and don’ts

July 29, 2014, 1:32 am

Whether you got lucky in the genetic lottery and have always looked great or you’ve worked hard at exercising and maintaining a healthy diet, you have found that you still have a few spots of stubborn fat that prevent you from really taking full advantage of your figure. If you have a bit of stubborn fat around the waist, unsightly pockets of fat along the thighs, or lumps and bumps in other areas of the body, you might benefit from liposuction. However, before undergoing liposuction, it is important to understand the dos and don’ts of liposuction in order to improve and maintain your results.

Before surgery, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for liposuction. Understanding your liposuction options before surgery and following your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions are just as important as following your recovery instructions.

Understand your options

Prior to scheduling your liposuction, be sure to have a thorough understanding of your procedure, special preparation instructions, benefits and risks, and the recovery process. During your consultation, be sure to ask plenty of questions and address any concerns you may have. Kansas City Surgical Arts offers both standard body liposuction and SmartLipo™, both of which have specific benefits and risks that should be understood prior to deciding on one over the other. During your consultation, Dr. Hlavacek will discuss how each relates to your goals and your individual needs.

Maintain your health

Before liposuction, be sure to maintain a healthy weight. You should be taking part in a regular exercise routine and following a diet filled with plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables and lean protein. Limit your alcohol and caffeine consumption, and quit smoking as far in advance as possible. It is important to understand that for liposuction results to be long-lasting, you will need to continue your healthy habits in order to maintain your weight.

Take over-the-counter medications with caution

During your consultation, be sure to share your current medications with your surgeon. This includes any supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications. Some medications need to be stopped prior to cosmetic surgery, as they may slow healing or increase the chances of excess bleeding. These medications may include prescription blood thinners, over-the-counter medications like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, vitamin E, and some herbal products. Your surgeon will guide you through safely discontinuing medications and supplements if needed, and may consult with your primary care physician for some medications.

After liposuction, you will begin your recovery. For most patients, recovery goes smoothly and they are back to their everyday activities in a timely manner without complications.

Follow instructions

After liposuction, be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions as closely as possible. This may include restrictions on activity, wearing compression garments, and getting plenty of rest. Although you may be instructed to do some light walking right after surgery to reduce risks such as clotting, be sure that you don’t over do it. It’s one thing to take a light walk and another to briskly stride around the block.

Continue healthy habits

During recovery, especially if you have activity restrictions, be sure to follow a healthy, clean diet and stay hydrated with plenty of water. Limit alcohol and caffeine as they may inhibit hydration. If you quit smoking before surgery, don’t start up again. It is widely known that smoking is an unhealthy habit, but it is particularly bad for you when trying to heal. The best bet is to be done with smoking for good.

Follow medication instructions

Just as you may need to avoid certain medications before liposuction, you may also need to avoid them for some time after surgery to aid in the healing process. These include blood thinners and herbal remedies.

Wear compression garments

Although you may look forward to great results from liposuction, don’t expect to look fantastic right away. Recovery from liposuction is a process. You will start with compression garments to help reduce swelling and pain and thereby reduce risk of complications. Wearing your compression garments as directed will help speed your recovery along, but it is important to understand that the full benefit of your liposuction may take a few months to be fully idealized.

If you have been considering liposuction, take time to investigate your options. A consultation is an ideal way to learn about your liposuction choices, benefits and risks, and how to achieve your goals. Call Kansas City Surgical Arts today at (816) 286-4126 to schedule a liposuction consultation with Dr. Matt Hlavacek.