How Long Is The Recovery Time From Liposuction?

Fat removal surgery, or liposuction, is one of the most in-demand cosmetic procedures across the country each year. Without question, liposuction is also one of the most transformative surgeries available to patients today. At Motakef Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Anaheim Hills, CA, acclaimed plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef helps men and women trim unwanted fat and get the slim, sexy look they desire with a wide array of body contouring procedures, including liposuction. Read on for a closer look at what to expect during and after liposuction, and find out how long your healing and recovery period may last.

Do I qualify for liposuction?

Thanks in part to the remarkable advances in modern medicine and technology, healthy men and women of virtually all ages and sizes may be considered eligible for liposuction. Generally speaking, patients considering liposuction should already be at or near their goal weight but continue to struggle with isolated problem areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise as expected. It is also essential that patients undergoing liposuction are committed to maintaining a stable weight after their procedure, as weight gain after liposuction can significantly jeopardize or even reverse their results.

Where can liposuction be used?

Common treatment areas for liposuction include:

• Abdomen/belly
• Hips
• Flanks
• Buttocks
• Thighs
• Neck
• Male chest

What is it like to get liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is performed using general anesthesia and uses tiny incisions, through which a handheld tube is inserted. The surgeon uses manual force to break up the fat cells, allowing them to be suctioned out via the tool formally known as a cannula. At the conclusion of the case, the incisions are closed with sutures, and the patient is placed in compression garments to reduce swelling and encourage proper healing.

Dr. Motakef is also proud to offer VASER®-assisted liposuction as a less invasive and more convenient solution for fat reduction. This approach also involves creating tiny incisions and suctioning out stubborn fat cells through a cannula. However, VASERlipo utilizes a specialized solution to gently dislodge the fat cells, making them easier to remove and obviating the need for mechanical force. This leaves the nearby tissues undisturbed and often dramatically cuts down the patient’s postoperative swelling and recovery time.

When will I be fully recovered from liposuction?

On average, patients can expect to return to work about one week after liposuction surgery. For more extensive procedures, or those involving multiple treatment areas, patients may choose to take 1 – 3 weeks off of work. After this time, a great deal of their swelling will have resolved, though it will still be necessary to wear compression garments and follow their postoperative instructions closely. After 4 – 6 weeks, the majority of liposuction swelling will have gone down, and patients can usually resume exercise and other physical activities safely and comfortably. At this time, patients are generally able to appreciate their slim new shape. However, the final results of liposuction may take several months to become fully apparent. With VASER-assisted lipo in Orange County, Dr. Motakef’s patients are often able to return to work and their other daily routines even sooner.

During your initial consultation for body contouring surgery, Dr. Motakef will carefully evaluate your concerns and overall health, discuss your desired results, and explain what your personalized liposuction treatment plan and recovery timeline may look like.

Want the body of your dreams without the wait? Learn more about your options for fat removal surgery in Orange County, CA

While cosmetic surgery still doesn’t provide instant results, advanced medicine and technology make getting the body of your dreams quicker and more convenient now than ever before. If you are ready to take the first step toward trimming away stubborn fat and finally getting the sexy figure you deserve, call Motakef Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to schedule your one-on-one consultation with award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. Saba Motakef today!