When many people think of liposuction, they imagine a magic wand used to make fat disappear. The truth is that liposuction is a surgical procedure that requires extensive preparation and recovery time. As with any surgery, patients need education on risks involved, the preparations required before the procedure, and how to care for themselves after surgery.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body. A Dayton liposuction specialist removes fat with a cannula (a hollow tube) through tiny incisions in the skin. Afterward, the incision sites are closed with sutures or staples and covered with bandages. If you have any questions about the procedure, we have you covered. Here is all you need to know before getting liposuction.

1. There Are Three Different Types

There are three different types of liposuction: tumescent, ultrasonic, and laser. Tumescent is the most commonly performed method because it’s the least invasive and has a shorter recovery time. With this procedure, anesthetic fluid containing epinephrine is infused into the tissue, causing blood vessels to constrict, which reduces bleeding and damage to surrounding areas. Ultrasonic can be used on small or delicate areas like the face and neck. The surgeon uses a cannula with a metal tip that vibrates at high speed to liquefy fat cells.

The most recent advancement in liposuction is laser liposuction, also known as laser-assisted lipoplasty. The laser light’s energy liquefies fat and removes it with vacuum suction. This method is used on larger body areas and has a longer recovery time than tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction.

2. It Does Not Work as Weight Loss Tool

Liposuction will remove fat cells; however, it cannot tighten skin or make you lose weight. If you hope to achieve a smaller waist size by getting the procedure, you will be disappointed because you can’t tighten tissue like skin and muscle with liposuction. When excess skin remains after liposuction, you will require additional surgery to remove it.

3. You Need a Specialist for the Procedure

Since liposuction is a surgical procedure, it should be performed only by a registered plastic surgeon. A general practitioner or dermatologist may be qualified to perform Botox injections and laser hair removal, but they aren’t trained to perform surgery. Set up an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you’re considering the procedure. You should ask about the surgeon’s training in liposuction, view before and after photos of patients who have had liposuction, and find out how many procedures the doctor has performed.

4. Schedule a Post-Liposuction Massage

It’s essential to get back into shape after the procedure, but you should wait until your surgeon gives you clearance. If you want to speed up recovery, consider scheduling a massage session with an experienced massage therapist specializing in post-liposuction scar tissue massage. It will help you lessen the appearance of any scars and reduce swelling.

In summary, liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body. Before getting the procedure, you should know that there are three types. You should also understand that it does not work as a weight-loss tool. You should find a specialist to handle the procedure and schedule a post-liposuction massage.