Liposuction Downtown Los Angeles

Consultation

When you come in for your first visit, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and express your concerns about a procedure. Discover what experience your surgeon has in cosmetic surgery, the location of the procedure and what anesthesia will be used. Ask how long you should expect the recovery time to take. Have realistic expectations of what improvement will occur after your surgery.

Our doctor will discuss your health history and recommend a procedure based on your needs. Make sure to ask all of your questions before your procedure. It is important to feel comfortable and know what to expect before your procedure and get the best results possible.

Procedure

Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to prepare for your procedure, including diet and alcohol restrictions. Also, let your doctor know if you have any allergies and taking any medications. This is especially important with blood thinners, which you will need to stop taking several weeks before surgery.

Your liposuction in Los Angeles will likely take place at your doctor's office. Your surgeon may take photos to use for before-and-after comparisons. You will get a local or general anesthesia. Talk to your doctor and see what works best for you.

There are many types of liposuction techniques available and all of them use a cannula (a thin tube) that connects to a vacuum that sucks the fat from your body.

Tumescent liposuction is the most common technique using a sterile solution made of saltine, lidocaine and epinephrine. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) uses sound waves energy to rupture the cell walls of the fat under your skin and liquefy the fat to be suctioned out. Laser-assisted liposuction (or SmartLipo) employs a laser to produce a burst of energy to liquefy the fat.

Recovery

Plan on having a friend or family member drive you home after your procedure. Each person recovers at their own pace and it may take several weeks before you feel back to normal. It is normal to feel discomfort for a few days after your surgery. You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or get a prescription from your doctor for pain medication. Do not hesitate to call your doctor with any issues as it may prevent serious complications. For example, if your wounds are swollen or red, start to bleed or open up.

You can expect some swelling after your procedure and may need to wear a compression garment or elastic bandages for several weeks. That aids to reduce bruising and swelling and provide pain relief from the compression. There may still be some swelling after you stop wearing the garment. You may have swelling for several months.

You may have drains in your wounds for a few days to drain fluids. Your wounds can take two weeks to heal. It is important to keep your dressings dry so you will need to avoid bathtubs and pools.

Depending on how you feel, you may return to your normal activities after a few days. For some people, it may take a few weeks. However, walking is encouraged to get the blood flowing and help your body heal. Most patients go back to work after a few days of rest. Talk to your doctor about when is right for you to resume activities such as exercise. But don’t overdo it at first as being too active can cause problems.

Once you see the improvement in your appearance, you will be pleased having gone ahead with your liposuction in Los Angeles. It will give you a more youthful appearance and pump your self-esteem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

You are a good candidate for liposuction in Los Angeles if you are in good overall health, within 30% of your ideal body weight, have firm and elastic skin, and do not smoke. You must have realistic expectations. Keep in mind that liposuction does not get rid of cellulite or is not a weight loss procedure.

Risks of Liposuction

Liposuction is a very safe procedure when done by a trained board-certified cosmetic surgeon. There can still be some minor risks, including bad reaction from anesthesia, bad reaction from lidocaine, bleeding, burns from an instrument, fat embolism, fluid accumulation, infection and numbness. Though rare, a blood clot in your veins could be dangerous if it reaches other parts of your body. Talk to your surgeon to get all the information.