Part 7: Liposuction Time, Smoothness, Side Effects, and Recovery

★Is there a time frame for weight loss?

In terms of body weight changes, people tend to be heavier in autumn and winter. Losing weight during these times can effectively curb obesity, allowing you to enjoy the remaining two seasons more easily and happily.

From a seasonal perspective, summer is hot and people sweat easily, so they need to shower every day. However, they cannot shower for 6 days after surgery. Therefore, it is best not to have surgery in summer if there is no way to escape the heat, in order to avoid infection after surgery.

From a temperature perspective, warmer climates can shorten postoperative recovery time. While various warming measures can be taken during the cold winter months, there are still factors that can affect postoperative recovery. Therefore, spring and autumn are the more suitable seasons for liposuction.

★Will the area where liposuction has been performed be smooth?

During liposuction, the cannula creates "tunnels" within the fat layer at the extraction site. After recovery, these "tunnels" become lower than the unextracted tissue, forming depressions. This phenomenon is common after "dry liposuction." How can this be avoided? "Wet liposuction" should be used during the procedure, employing a thinner cannula and avoiding thicker, more porous cannulas. Patiently and meticulously following the pre-operative markings, and evenly extracting fat in layers, will prevent unevenness.

During liposuction, using a thinner cannula and suctioning from a fully saturated fat layer in a liquid containing hemostatic agents minimizes bleeding. When using wet liposuction with a doubling technique, if a 4mm diameter cannula is used to suction fat from a saturated fat layer, and the resulting tunnel is also 4mm, the diameter of this tunnel will only be 2mm after the swelling subsides. This will result in a smoother appearance.

★What are the side effects of liposuction?

As I mentioned earlier, the function of subcutaneous fat is not directly related to other systems in the body. Removing fat from a specific area will not cause dysfunction in other systems. Conversely, areas where fat was not removed will not experience a reduction in fat due to fat removal from other areas.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves trauma to normal tissue. People use this trauma as a trade-off to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing body shape. Due to the surgical trauma, there may be some bleeding in the surgical area after the procedure, and the skin may exhibit the following conditions:

(1) Bluish-purple: usually disappears after 7 to 15 days;

(2) Swelling and numbness: disappear after about 20 to 30 days;

(3) Induration: Located under the skin, it is not visible on the outside. When touched, it can form a hard lump, which will dissipate in about 90 to 180 days.

★Why is pressure bandaging applied after liposuction?

After liposuction, doctors often apply pressure bandages or require patients to wear elastic garments for approximately 7 to 30 days. Initially, these bandages or garments help prevent bleeding from the surgical area, acting as hemostatics and pain relievers. Later, they help prevent excessive growth of post-operative nodules and shorten recovery time.

Do not loosen these pressure bandages without a doctor's permission, otherwise it will not help stop bleeding and relieve pain, and will also affect the surgical recovery time, and may even induce complications such as hematoma and incision infection.

★How long does it take to recover after liposuction?

Like other surgeries, liposuction requires a recovery period. Generally, except for the cheeks, neck, and upper buttocks where no activity restrictions or rest are needed, liposuction in other areas requires at least 24 hours of bed rest. After 24 hours, you can engage in some simple and appropriate activities depending on your individual situation. After the stitches are removed in these areas after 7 days, there are no restrictions, and you can participate in outdoor activities within your capabilities. Although there may still be some bruising and swelling at this time, there will be no complications.

Moderate exercise and a good mood are beneficial for postoperative recovery.

Three to six months later, the surgical site will have recovered very well, basically achieving the appearance that you and your doctor hoped for before the surgery.

If liposuction is needed again in the same area due to unevenness or other reasons, it should be done at least once a year later.

★Does liposuction increase confidence in exercising?

Many people are ashamed to go to gyms or exercise centers because of their weight or uneven body shape, worrying about being ridiculed or that exercise won't change anything, leading to excessive psychological burden. After liposuction, these uneven areas are eliminated, relieving this psychological burden and building confidence, making them more interested in exercise. Exercise, in turn, leads to a more toned physique, creating a virtuous cycle. The ultimate goal of liposuction is to enhance people's confidence in life, and boosting confidence in exercise is just one aspect of that.

Will liposuction leave scars?

In the past, some people said when choosing dermal fat removal surgery: "As long as it can reduce fat, it doesn't matter if there are some scars."

Surgery inevitably leaves some scars, and when you're struggling with obesity, it's hard to consider the issue of scarring. After surgically removing fat, the obesity problem is solved, but another worry arises: the surgical scar. Every time you shower, or when you're with your loved ones, you have to face this disheartening scar. This doesn't bring you aesthetic enjoyment; instead, it adds to your worries.

Liposuction involves making a small incision (2-4mm) in a discreet area of ​​the body to remove fat. This small incision is designed before surgery, ideally within a skin fold. During the procedure, the skin edges are kept as intact as possible, and careful post-operative care is essential to prevent scarring. Several months after the surgery, the small incision completely blends into the skin fold. Therefore, liposuction can be performed without leaving any scars.

★How are liposuction devices selected?

Some hospitals now use American or French liposuction instruments, which may be suitable for tall Caucasians, but not for petite Asians.

The characteristics of American and French liposuction instruments are: a larger diameter cannula, requiring higher negative pressure, resulting in greater tissue damage. Although the procedure is shorter, it is difficult to achieve a smooth surgical area. For Chinese people, Japanese instruments, which are also suitable for people of Asian descent, are more appropriate. Japanese instruments have a thinner cannula, require lower negative pressure, cause less tissue damage, can sculpt the skin, and result in a smooth, soft surgical area with a shorter recovery time.

The required diameter of the liposuction cannula and the amount of negative pressure vary greatly depending on the location and specific needs of the liposuction and fat grafting procedures. Experienced doctors select the appropriate surgical instruments based on the specific circumstances.