Before and after liposuction of the lower body in a 52-year-old woman. At the same time she was planning to undergo liposuction of her arms, she wanted to remove excess fat from her lower abdomen, hips, inner and outer thighs.
Liposuction of several areas of the body is usually performed with our patient asleep, under general anesthesia. Tumescent fluid that contains normal saline (sterile saltwater used to puff up the area and create more space), epinephrine (to constrict blood vessels, prevent bleeding and minimize bruising) and lidocaine (to numb the tissues for days after surgery) is injected into the areas to be treated.
Using 3-4 mm blunt ended wands called “cannulas”, fat is permanently removed through several tiny incisions hidden in skin creases whenever possible. Incisions are closed with dissolving sutures and waterproof liposuction dressing are placed over each incision so there is no leakage from the area.
Patients wake up wearing their compression garment, which can be removed before their first shower. Postoperative compression is recommended for weeks to months after surgery to limit swelling, minimize bruising and to speed up the overall recovery. Eventually, surgical compression garments can be exchanged for more comfortable garments such as tight yoga pants or shapewear.
Follow up photos are shown 5 months after surgery, with a natural contour and less fat in undesirable places!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
