Will My Weight Loss Journey be Easier After Liposuction Surgery?

In many instances, our journey to a slimmer appearance is met with roadblocks, including age, childbirth, hormonal changes, trauma, and lifestyle changes. Despite our best efforts to participate in healthy diets and exercise regimens, stubborn pockets of fat can persist and keep us from our personal body contouring goals. Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgical specialist Dr. Omar Ahmed offers innovative liposuction technology to help meet his patient’s body contouring needs at Omar Ahmed, M.D. in Pasadena, CA.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical technique used to remove unwanted fat cells from specific target areas along the body. Popular areas for fat removal include the:

Buttocks
Hips
Abdomen
Thighs
Lower back

At Omar Ahmed, M.D., Dr. Ahmed utilizes suction technology to gently loosen and remove the fat to create a slimmer appearance.

How much fat can be safely removed with liposuction surgery?

Many surgeons will remove up to ten pounds of fat during a liposuction session. This serves as a precaution to keep the patient healthy and safe. Dr. Ahmed works with you by reviewing your medical history and current body concerns to determine the appropriate amount of fat removal for your customized body contouring plan.

Am I an ideal candidate for liposuction surgery?

Both men and women make possible candidates for liposuction surgery if they:

Are in good health
Are at an ideal, healthy weight
Have realistic body contouring expectations
Have healthy skin laxity

Female candidates are recommended to be finished with childbearing prior to participating in liposuction surgery in order to not compromise their results.

How is liposuction performed?

Liposuction surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be completed at Omar Ahmed, M.D. in one of our private treatment rooms. Each treatment area is thoroughly sanitized, and the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Since the patient is unconscious during the surgery, they typically experience no pain or discomfort. A small incision is made, and the cannula is inserted under the skin to loosen and suction out unwanted fat cells. This process is repeated until the desired results are achieved. Once the patient wakes up and is cleared by Dr. Ahmed, they are permitted to return home for recovery.

Is there a recovery period after liposuction?

Patients usually experience temporary swelling, tenderness, and bruising at each treatment site which resolves on its own within a few weeks. Recovery time varies per patient depending on the number and size of each treatment area, but patients should expect at least 1 – 3 weeks of downtime. Patients should move around and take light walks to encourage blood circulation and muscle endurance during the recovery process.

How long will my results last?

Liposuction results are generally noticeable approximately six weeks after recovery, but patients may achieve full body contouring results in 6 – 10 months. Liposuction surgery results have the potential to last for many years if patients:

Adhere to their recommended recovery instructions
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Avoid drastic weight fluctuations

If a patient experiences significant weight changes or pregnancy after liposuction surgery, this may compromise their results. However, patients are welcome to return to Omar Ahmed, M.D. to renew their body contouring outcomes.