An overview of liposuction

February 10, 2014, 8:36 am

Do you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water, but still have stubborn little areas that won’t tone up or slim down?. If so, it might be time to consider liposuction, also called lipoplasty. Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States and is ideal for people who are fit and healthy, but unable to achieve their best body through diet and exercise alone.

Am I a candidate?

When asking yourself if you might be a good candidate for liposuction, consider these questions:

• Do you follow a regular exercise routine and eat nutritionally balanced diet?
• Are you healthy overall and at a healthy weight for your height?
• Do you have specific areas that you would like to slim down rather than your whole body?
• Does your skin have good elasticity?

If you’ve answered yes to all of these questions, you may benefit from liposuction. If you think you are a good candidate, or you aren’t sure, Dr. Hlavacek and Kansas City Surgical Arts will help you to evaluate your suitability, as well as answer any questions you may have about the procedure during your consultation. It is important to note that liposuction is not a weight-loss tool.

How liposuction can benefit you and what to expect during your consultation

Liposuction targets localized fat deposits in the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts, arms, back, and neck. During your consultation, Dr. Hlavacek will listen to your goals and concerns, then will work with you to devise the best liposuction plan for your needs. This may include traditional liposuction, SmartLipo, or Ultrasound assisted liposuction. Dr. Hlavacek will assess the areas you would like to have treated, and after discussing your goals and concerns, will help you to discern what benefits you may be able to achieve from your procedure. During your consultation, be sure to inform Dr. Hlavacek and his team at Kansas City Surgical Arts of any pre-existing health conditions, your current medications and supplements, whether or not you are taking blood thinners, and if you have any medication allergies.

Surgery

Depending on the area to be treated and the amount of liposuction to be performed, your surgery may be performed under local or general anesthesia. After your anesthetic has been administered, Dr. Hlavacek will make small incisions through which the liposuction will be performed. A small tube called a cannula will be attached to a vacuum-type tool that will be inserted through your incision, and with gentle, carefully guided movements, Dr. Hlavacek will break up and remove the excess fat deposits. Your incisions will be closed with small sutures. The treated area will then be wrapped with compression bandages or garments to reduce complications such as swelling or bruising.

Recovery

Typically, you will go home the same day as your surgery. Discomfort and tenderness, along with bruising and redness, are normal and may last for several days after treatment. If your treatment area is large, Dr. Hlavacek may recommend medications for pain management. For the first 10 days, you will need to rest and restrict your activities. You will be able to increase your activity level slowly, but vigorous physical activity is usually restricted for several weeks. To aid in your recovery process, you may need to enlist help with household chores, caring for young children, and additional activities for the first few weeks after your surgery.

Risks and considerations

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with liposuction. To minimize your risks, be sure to go over your health history, medications, and possible risk factors with Dr. Hlavacek during your consultation. Risks include infection, blood clots, bleeding, hematoma, seroma, nerve damage, excessive swelling, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Dr. Hlavacek will go over these possibilities during your consultation.

Are you ready to take the first step? Contact Kansas City Surgical Arts today at 816-286-4126 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hlavacek!