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Frequently Asked Questions
LIPOSUCTION and LIPOSCULPTURE
- HOW MANY KILOS WILL I LOSE AFTER LIPOSUCTION?
Since this is a surgery in which a certain amount of fat is removed, obviously there will be a reduction in body weight, which may vary according to the body volume of each patient. However, the removed "kilos" will not determine the aesthetic result, but the proportion maintained by each area in relation to the rest of the trunk and arms and legs. For example, women who have certain protrusion in the abdomen or in other parts of the trunk, as well as in hips and upper part of thighs, may have firm or flax skin. Proper evaluation of three items: skin elasticity quality, fat quantity and localization will enable us to analyze the results. There are certain cases in which the patient is overweight, and, accordingly, we recommend previous weight balance before surgery with clinical or physiotherapy treatment. In certain cases, fat is drawn out of the body and the removed fat is reinjected under aseptic conditions in other regions in which volume should be increased. Part of this fat may be reabsorbed. It is impossible to foresee how much fat will be retained; however, special care must be taken in the treatment of such fat in order to maximize successful results.
- ARE LIPOSUCTION SCARS VISIBLE?
Scarring resulting from liposculptures or liposuctions is minimal, located in different parts of the body, so as to provide access to the areas to be operated. Their sizes may vary from 5 to 8 millimeters and they are planned to be barely visible. In any way, we will provide you with an explanation on scarring evolution arising out of both surgeries, as follows:
IMMEDIATE PERIOD: Up to the 30th day and presents excellent and barely visible aspect. In some cases, there is slight reaction to sutures or to bandages.
INTERMEDIATE PERIOD: From the 30th day up to the 12th month. In this period, there will be a natural thickness of the scar, as well as changes in its color, from “reddish” to “brownish”, which will become lighter over time. This period is the least favorable for cicatrization evolution and the most worrisome to patients. As we are not able to speed natural cicatrization process, we recommend patients not to worry, since the next period (late period) will be in charge of diminishing scar vestiges.
LATE PERIOD: From the 12th up to the 18th month. In this period, scar will be lighter and less consistent reaching, thus its definite aspect. Any evaluation of the definite result of the surgery will be made after this period.
- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN DEFINITE RESULT?
In the previous answer, some considerations were made regarding scar evolution. Now, we are going to talk about the treated areas, regarding their consistency, sensitivity, volume, etc.
In the first weeks or even months, these areas, in addition to being subject to swelling, may present some thicker points, which are normally noted by touching and tend to disappear after the 3rd month. Over time, after being subject to proper drainage and exercises for modeling, you will gradually obtain the definite result. No result should be considered as definite before 6-9 months after surgery.
- DOES LIPOPSUCT CORRECT EXCESSIVE FAT LOCATED ON TUMMY REGION?
Usually, it does. Depending on your type of trunk (thorax + abdomen), you may have a pretty natural result. It is also important to note the thickness of the fatty tissue which involves this area.
- WHAT TYPE OF BATHING SUIT WILL I BE ABLE TO WEAR AFTER THE SURGERY?
It is up t you. The type of bathing suit will solely depend on you own size.
- MAY I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE? WILL THIS AFFECT THE RESULT?
The result may be preserved if during the new pregnancy you control your weight together with the doctor. If, after returning to the original weight you had before pregnancy, your skin is neither flabby nor full of grooves, your shape will be maintained. However, women's body is susceptible to shape variations over time due to fat accumulation in different parts of the body, mainly the abdomen, hips and thighs. Accordingly, every 5 or 10 years, fat accumulated in the body changes its position. Even though, excess fat removed from certain areas will always provide better evolution even if you gain some weight.
- IS POST-SURGERY PERIOD OF A LIPOSUCTION VERY PAINFUL?
Generally, it is not. A liposuction or liposculpture of normal evolution should not be painful, provided that post-surgery orientations are followed. Possible discomfort may be lessened by painkiller and anti-inflammatories.
- IS THIS SURGERY DANGEROUS?
Rarely a liposuction surgery may give rise to serious complications, provided that it has been carried out within proper technical criteria. This is due to the fact that each patient should be carefully prepared for the surgical procedure, in addition to analyzing the convenience of combining this surgery with another. The danger involved in not higher or lower than the one involved in a plane or car trip, or simply street crossing. However, it is important to emphasize that great volumes drawn from the body may imply risks both during and post surgery. There is a consensus, among surgeons of the Brazilian Plastic Surgery Society that the total volume drawn per session should not exceed 5 to 7% of body's weight. Your surgeon will provide you with details on the ideal volume for your case.
- WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED IN THIS SURGERY?
General, peridural or local anesthesia.
- HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE?
Depending on the extension of the area to be treated, it normally takes 1 to 3 hours, which may be extended in some cases. However, surgery duration should not be confused with the time in which a patient stays in the Surgery Room, since that includes the period for anesthetic preparation and post-surgery recovery. Your doctor will inform you on the total duration of the surgery.
- HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO STAY IN HOSPITAL?
Depending on the extension of the area subject to liposuction and the type of anesthesia used (local with sedation, peridural , general ), hospitalization period may vary from a few hours up to one day.
- ARE BANDAGES NECESSARY?
Yes. Semi-compression garments are used for an average period from 30 to 45 days.
- WHEN ARE STITCHES REMOVED?
From the 4th to the 7th day.
- WHAT IS THE POST-SURGERY EVOLUTION LIKE?
You should bear in mind that until you reach the desired results you will undergo various phases that are typical of this type of surgery. That is why that under item 2 we have informed you on cicatrization evolution (up to the 18th month), and under item 3, on the evolution of the abdomen, such as sensitivity, consistency, etc. However, special caution should be taken if you want to obtain the desired result before estimated time. Be patient since your body will be in charge of dissipating all small intermediary problems which inevitably will call other people's attention, who will probably say: "Will this really disappear?" It is evident that any concern should be transmitted to the doctor. We will provide you with all clarifications for your tranquility. Some patients get extremely anxious in this phase, mainly because of the transitory aspect. All of this is temporary and normally it reflects the desire of reaching the final result as soon as possible. But remember that no abdominal surgery results should be considered as definite before 6-9 months.
Complementary activities in gym classes, beauty consultants or even physiotherapists will help improving the final result since muscle modeling is an extremely important factor for the new body contour.
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