If you are considering liposuction, it’s important to be well-informed about the procedure. Researching the best clinic and doctor is a crucial step, and understanding the common post-liposuction considerations and experiences can be helpful.
1. Expectations are unrealistic
High expectations are valid; unrealistic ones lead to disappointment. In this case, honesty is the best policy. Your doctor will ask you about the kind of results you expect to see and having answered honestly they will tell you whether they’re achievable.
2. Liptrops and lipnots
Following liposuction, variations in skin texture, such as temporary irregularities, may occur as part of the healing process. There are a variety of reasons why these appear, but most commonly it the size of a cannula used or lack of attention to detail.
It is, however, typical for temporary lumps and bumps to appear post liposuction. These lumps are usually detectable about one-two weeks after surgery and are at their most noticeable at two-four weeks after surgery. Most of the time these lumps are temporary and are, in fact, part of the body’s natural healing process.
3. Too much fat from one area
When a doctor takes too much fat from one area (focal excessive liposuction), the results can be unattractive, chiefly because they look unnatural. Excessive removal of fat from one area will most likely result in skin looking uneven, dented and bumpy.
No matter how tempting the thought of absolutely zero fat in your problem area, a human body needs a certain amount of fat. We are all about embracing natural-looking results that please rather than shock.
4. Damage to blood and lymphatic vessels
The word excessive should never factor in a discussion about liposuction. In the case of ‘Excessive superficial liposuction’, the under surface of the skin is overly irritated through microcannulas to tighten the skin. However, this is not a clinically proven method, and the results often lead to damaged blood and lymphatic vessels on the underside of the skin. Maltreatment leads to scarring, lumps, discolouration and sometimes kills the skin in this area.
Post-liposuction, skin retraction can occur, depending on its natural elasticity and the amount of subcutaneous fat removed.
5. Skin discolouration
Superficial liposuction (the removal of fat closest to the skin) can produce a skin-blotching effect that will neither disappear nor fade over time. This discolouration is caused by the rasping the surface and damaging the superficial vascular network.
6. Blood pooling
While the tumescent technique (the use of local anaesthesia to solidify fat for ease of removal) has nearly entirely eradicated cases of hematomas, it is still worth discussing. A hematoma forms when blood escapes from an injured blood vessel and collects in a ‘pool’ within the body. A seratoma acts similarly but is made up of a pool of blood serum.
7. Dead skin
If excessive superficial liposuction damages the body’s vascular supply, the skin will die. In particularly severe cases it will lead to full thickness skin necrosis. Other issues that can lead to skin necrosis include infection, thrombosis and inflammation of the blood vessels.
8. Blistering
Despite the manufacturer’s warning against using it for these purposes, some doctors apply Reston foam to skin after liposuction. Not surprisingly, many patients are allergic to the adhesive in the foam with complications ranging from blistering to, at worse, lethal infection.
9. Incision site marks
For some people those with darker pigmented skin, the site where a doctor inserts the liposuction cannula and moves it around can inflame and injure the skin leaving an incision mark that takes time to fade. A good doctor will consider this and use incision entry points that can be covered up with clothing.
With darkly pigmented skin the marks can still be seen for some years whereas it will be closer to six months for those with lighter skin pigmentation.
10. Fainting or vasovagal syncope
Better known as fainting, vasovagal syncope occurs when the heart reduces blood flow to the brain resulting in the person losing consciousness. Typically, a person is standing or sitting when this happens, the resulting fall usually causes head and neck injuries.
11. Close to fainting
Many people are prone to fainting or feeling faint. While fainting in the operating room is unusual (as you are flat), some patients will tend to drift towards feeling light-headed at the thought of undergoing an operation or the sight of blood.
If a patient begins to feel faint or nauseous, it is possible to use atropine to combat the unpleasant symptoms. Your doctor and the operating staff will check whether you are prone to or have experienced fainting or bouts of feeling light-headed.
12. Post-Liposuction Syncope at Home
The most common time for a person to faint or feel light-headed post-liposuction is the following morning, especially after they have urinated and then attempt to stand up. Other triggers can be the sight of blood on absorbent pads or decompression caused by the removal of post-surgery garments.
To avoid fainting or light-headedness
- remove any compression garments slowly and where possible with assistance.
- eat before removing garments, changing dressings or showering. Hypoglycemia (low sugar levels) will only make any light-headed or faint feelings worse.
- Stand slowly after using the toilet and avoid any sudden movements.
- consider having a person on stand-by when you have a shower (just in case a fainting episode occurs).
- lay down if you begin to feel faint, or dizzy
- keep doors unlocked in case you require help
13. Miscommunication
You need to ensure that you and your doctor are ‘on the same page’. Agree on treatment areas before surgery and ask the doctor to write these in a list or document to avoid any possible confusion or misinterpretation. Written confirmation is particularly important if your consultant and doctor are not the same people.
14. Drainage issues
It is essential that the body drain all tumescent anaesthetic from the body post-surgery. Otherwise, Post-Liposuction Panniculitis (a type of inflammation) can occur. If you experience feelings of localised heat, redness or swelling, you should tell your doctor, so they can distinguish between this condition and infection.
15. Swelling
Mild to moderate swelling on the lower body can happen after liposuction, with the most common areas being the legs and ankles. If a doctor treats a large circumferential area of the legs or thighs in one day, this often leads to swelling. Open-drainage and bimodal-compression can help to reduce any swelling. Our article on Post Liposuction garments will explain what you will need.
16. Bruising
After liposuction to the abdominal area, it is common for gravity to push blood-tinged fluid towards the genitals. This movement creates a bruising and swelling that usually lasts for two to three days. Using a compression garment can help alleviate and reduce symptoms.
17. Postoperative Bruising
Bruising is less common than it once was thanks to developments in liposuction treatment. However, you can still expect a slight degree of bruising. Your likelihood to bruise is partly affected by your makeup but also by any drugs or platelet-affecting foods and drink you have consumed before surgery.
Compression garments will help to minimise bruising. You might also like to read our 4 Foods You Need to Avoid to Prevent Scarring From Surgery article.
18. Rapid Heart Rate
Because the local anaesthetic used contains adrenalin, you may experience a rapid heart rate. Avoid other heart rate inducing drugs such as decongestants containing ephedrine before surgery. Anti-hypertension medication will reduce the risk.
19. Vascular injury and excessive bleeding
Liposuction rarely causes vascular injury or excessive bleeding. However, there are a few exceptions which include diabetic patients (who are more prone to small vessel insufficiency) and the use of anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, red wine, garlic supplements and vitamin E. Avoid taking these until your doctor advises otherwise.
20. Worry about drainage amounts
People often worry if they see large amounts of blood-tinged solution draining from your wounds. Your doctor will explain that rather than blood, this is the anaesthetic solution and the more that flows away, the sooner you will heal. On the flipside, some patients worry that there is not enough liquid and they will, therefore, be sore and recover slowly. If you are concerned, call your doctor.
Cosmos Clinic offers a range of liposuction procedures, depending on your needs. If you require more information about liposuction, read our article on Fat Removal Surgery Options or get in contact.
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