How Long Does it Take for Liposuction Results?

Liposuction, also known as "lipo," is a surgical procedure to remove isolated areas of body fat by suction. A surgeon removes the fat with a tube called a "cannula," which is inserted into small incisions in the skin and sucks the body fat into a vacuum. Liposuction procedures vary depending on the type of cannula used and the extent of the body fat removal.

Length of Procedure

• A liposuction procedure can last as little as an hour or as long as several hours based on the type of anesthesia used, the size of the body part and the amount of body fat removed. For small parts of the body such as the knees or arms, the surgeon may perform the lipo as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia. For larger areas such as the abdomen and thighs, surgeons routinely use general anesthesia and patients often remain in the hospital overnight for observation.

Eligibility and Cost

• Before a surgeon agrees to perform lipo, he must first determine if you are mentally and physically healthy enough to endure the procedure. Common disqualifying factors include obesity, heart disease, blood clots, hernias, previous surgery on the body parts for which lipo is sought, and psychological factors. Liposuction can cost several thousand dollars and will probably not be covered by your health insurance. Depending on the type of lipo you wish to have and the surgeon performing the procedure, you might be able to finance the cost.

Recovery

• Immediately after liposuction, the patient may experience swelling, bruising, numbness, discomfort or pain. Compression garments are supplied to the patient to bind the area tightly to reduce swelling and fluid retention. The doctor will suggest that these garments be worn for a week to several weeks depending on the procedure. Patients can usually return to work in a few days following the procedure, but exercise and heavy activity should be avoided for a few weeks.

Results

• After the procedure, some irregularity in the skin might occur due to fat shifting, swelling and loosened skin. Swelling begins to subside after a week, and will subside rapidly between three to six weeks after surgery. The skin will continue to tighten and swelling will continue to reduce up to six months after the procedure. Patients usually report that they see optimum results after four to six months.

Considerations and Risks

• There are risks to any liposuction procedure. Patients may notice irregularities in the surface of the skin, including bumpy, wavy or loose skin due to uneven fat removal and stretching of the skin. In some cases, these irregularities may be permanent. Other possible effects are numbness in the area of the procedure, fluid pockets and infection. In rare cases, a patient's organs may be accidentally punctured or the change in the patient's fluid levels may seriously affect her kidneys or heart.