Even people who lead a healthy lifestyle can have pockets of stubborn fat that make them feel self-conscious. Liposuction targets your most challenging areas to sculpt and slim your figure. If you have been thinking about liposuction, you may have questions about how long your recovery will take. Dr. Leong will explain your recovery process in great detail during your consultation.
What is Liposuction?
The human body accumulates fat that diet and exercise cannot remove. Where this fat accumulates varies between people, but common spots include the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and under the chin. Liposuction provides body contouring by removing fat in targeted areas. Dr. Leong performs a type of liposuction called liposculpting. Her skill allows her to shape and slim your problem areas with aesthetically pleasing results.
How is Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction usually occurs under general anesthesia, although IV sedation may sometimes be used. Small incisions allow Dr. Leong to insert a thin tool called a cannula. The cannula breaks up fat and suctions it out of the body. While liposuction removes some fat, it is intended for body sculpting, not weight loss. Surgery can take one to three hours, depending on how many areas you have treated.
How Long Does it Take to Recover from Liposuction?
After your liposuction, you will rest in our recovery area until we release you to go home. You will need someone to drive you. You can expect some bruising and swelling after your procedure, which will start to fade within a week or two. You will wake up in a compression garment that you will need to wear for 4-6 weeks after surgery. Most people need between one and three weeks to recover enough to resume normal activities. Dr. Leong will let you know when you can resume more strenuous activities.
Taking the appropriate amount of recovery time is a key part of your liposuction procedure, and pushing yourself too hard can cause complications or affect your final results. Your full results will take at least six months to become fully visible. Once your final results have developed, they will last as long as you maintain consistent body weight.
Can Liposuction Tighten Loose Skin?
Liposuction can remove fat, but it cannot tighten loose skin. If you have skin with good elasticity, it may tighten by itself after the procedure. Dr. Leong may recommend skin tightening treatments to help you achieve maximum results. Dr. Leong may recommend a lift if you have significant amounts of loose skin. This surgery will remove loose skin from your problem areas for a firmer, more toned appearance. Dr. Leong also offers Renuvion®, a skin-tightening treatment that can be used after liposuction. Renuvion® uses a combination of radiofrequency and cold plasma energy to treat the deep layers of skin. Combining liposuction with Renuvion® can make your results more noticeable and sculpted.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Good candidates for liposuction have no major health problems and want to target stubborn fat. The ideal candidate for liposuction should also have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. Only a consultation with Dr. Leong can determine whether liposuction is the best choice for you. While liposuction removes some fat, it is not intended for weight loss.
Take the Next Step
To make an appointment with Dr. Karen Leong, call us at (949) 844-8999 or fill out the consultation form below.