How Do I Correct Liposuction?

Liposuction is a procedure in which a surgeon removes unwanted fat from specific areas of the body, most commonly the abdomen, upper arms, buttocks, hips, thighs and knees. With over 340,000 of these operations performed in the U.S. in 2008, the need to find corrective solutions to liposuction deformities has also increased. According to the ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), surgeons specializing in liposuction correction have had the most success with fat grafting. In this procedure, the surgeon harvests fat from your body, removes impurities by spinning the fat in a centrifuge and then injects it into the deformed area.

Instructions

• 1

  Search for a board-certified plastic surgeon. Call the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to ask for a list of surgeons who regularly perform fat grafting for liposuction deformities.

• 2

  Set up a consultation. Bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the surgeon. To help you determine if the surgeon meets your needs, ask such questions as whether you are an optimal candidate for corrective fat grafting, how many corrective fat grafts the surgeon performs each year and how many revisions of his own work he has to perform on average.

• 3

  Have all your medical information with you, and answer the surgeon's questions honestly. Not giving your full medical history can lead to avoidable complications. Keep communication open. Give the surgeon a clear picture of what you expect your body to look like after the graft. Having an open discussion will help the two of you reach an understanding of what to expect.

• 4

  Read your preoperative information packet, which explains everything you need to know and do before your surgery. It also lets you know which medications to avoid before your surgery, such as aspirin and other medications that may inhibit clotting. You will also need to visit a lab to get your CBC (Complete Blood Count).