LIPOSUCTION

Most of us like to feel confident in our bodies. However, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate leaving us frustrated with stubborn fat, which simply refuses to budge, regardless of how much we exercise or diet.
Electing to have liposuction or lipoplasty is a very personal decision. Luckily, there are few cosmetic surgical procedures that are as transformative for patients as liposuction or lipoplasty. These techniques may be able to help you attain that ideal body shape you have long been striving for.
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LIPOSUCTION EXPLAINED

Liposuction is conducted either under general anesthesia or more commonly under local anesthesia using an intravenous sedation. Your surgeon will discuss these alternatives with you and recommend what suits your individual procedure.

Depending on the area being targeted for liposuction, several small, inconspicuous incisions are made. Diluted local anesthesia is then infused to reduce tissue trauma and bleeding. A cannula, a thin, hollow tube is inserted in the incisions to loosen the excess fat and suction it out of your body. This process is repeated until your desired results are achieved.

Who Are The Best Candidates For Liposuction?
Regardless of the area of the body being targeted, liposuction candidates all have localised fat deposits that have proven resistant to dieting and vigorous exercise.

These fat deposits commonly occur in the thighs, abdomen, arms, calves, buttocks, even the face and neck. Liposuction can effectively treat them all. The best candidates for liposuction should have a stable weight.

A good candidate should also have firm, elastic skin. To achieve ideal results, the skin must shrink after the procedure. Age is no barrier to undergo liposuction as long as your skin remains elastic.
Here at St Kilda Day Hospital, we recommend speaking with one of our experienced surgeons about Liposuction and if it’s the right procedure for you and for achieving your desired results. Please call us to speak with one of our surgeons.

What To Expect: Preparation
If you smoke, you should stop smoking at least two weeks before your procedure, as smoking can seriously hinder your healing process. Similarly, avoid aspirin and aspirin products in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss your medications with you during your initial consultation and may recommend halting some medications prior to your procedure.

How Long Does The Procedure Take?
The procedure may take from 1-3 hours, depending on the size of the area being targeted and the amount of fat to be removed.

Are Liposuction Procedures Painful?
Some say that their liposuction procedure is not that painful. Post-surgical pain and discomfort is managed by the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon and should subside after a few days.

How Long Is The Recovery Period From Liposuction Surgery?
After your liposuction procedure, there will inevitably be swelling and bruising and you will experience some discomfort. You may also be required to wear tight compression garments or an elastic bandage for several weeks to assist in reducing the swelling, as well as compress the skin to your new body contour. This will depend on the area that had the procedure.

While results will be seen almost immediately, any swelling will distort the actual results. Final results will take several months to settle in.

To speak with a member of our surgical team regarding this procedure, please contact us today!

How Long Before I Can Return To Work?
Depending on the amount of liposuction undergone, most patients return to work in 2 to 3 days. If your procedure involved extensive liposuction, it may require a week off from work.

Recovering After Your Operation
After your procedure, you will be taken to our recovery room where our team of nurses will care for you and support you as you wake from your operation.

When you are fully recovered from your anaesthetic and our nurses have done their assessment, you will be able to go home with a responsible adult.

You will see your surgeon the day after your surgery and at specified intervals following your surgery. Your post-surgical supervision is to enable your doctor to monitor your recovery process and to ensure you have the best possible results.

When Can I Resume Normal Activities?
Your swelling should begin to subside in about 7 to 10 days. Mild exercise is permitted after two weeks, and full activity can be resumed in about 4 to 6 weeks. There may be some residual swelling for 3 to 5 months before it completely disappears.

Where Is The Procedure Performed?
All our liposuction surgeries are performed at the St Kilda Day Hospital. Conveniently located in the heart of St Kilda, the St Kilda Day Hospital enjoys an enviable reputation for its highly experienced cosmetic surgeons and nursing staff and its high standard of patient care.
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The St Kilda Day Hospital has a full-size Operating Theatre with General Anesthetic facility and a four-bed recovery room. Once you feel better, you will be transferred from Recovery to a comfortable recliner chair, where you will be given light refreshments prior to discharge.
 

 ​Want to speak with one of the team members of our surgical team?
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