Liposuction removes fat cells permanently from treated areas—but it isn’t magic. You play a big role in how well you heal from liposuction and in your long-term results.
At Plastic Surgery Arts Center in Webster, Texas, our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jan Garcia, recommends the following before and after your surgery to maximize your liposuction results.
Prior to surgery, Dr. Garcia will make sure you’re a good candidate. This means you’re a nonsmoker in generally good health.
If you smoke, that’s a problem, because smoking inhibits healing. So, step one in maximizing your results is to quit smoking at least a few weeks before your surgery. Keep away from tobacco afterward, too, so that your tissues can heal. Ideally, liposuction is your incentive to quit the habit entirely. Your body will thank you!
Liposuction is not designed for major weight loss, but is designed for targeted fat loss in stubborn areas. For the best results, you need to be within about 30% of your healthy weight before committing to the procedure.
Follow our postsurgical recommendations in the immediate days following your procedure. This helps you heal speedily.
Other steps you can take to maximize your liposuction results are:
You lose a lot of water during liposuction. Drink plenty of fluids right after surgery and vow to make it a daily habit. There’s no set amount of water you should consume daily, but it’s a good idea to stay hydrated enough that your urine is clear.
When you’re hydrated, your skin looks brighter, you’re more energetic, cells get the nutrients they need, and you won’t confuse thirst for hunger and accidentally overeat.
We provide you with a compression garment to wear around the area that received liposuction. Wear it as directed to help reshape the area and minimize the development of wrinkles or sagging in the skin.
The pressure from the garment can also help your incisions heal more discreetly to minimize scarring. We usually recommend you wear it regularly for one to three weeks.
Liposuction does remove stubborn fat, permanently. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t gain weight and cause remaining fat cells to swell. Let your procedure be your inspiration to eat a healthy diet that consists mostly of whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats, like nuts and avocados.
Maintaining a physically active lifestyle after liposuction (once you’re cleared for activity, of course) can help improve your liposuction results. Exercise helps you maintain muscle tone and burn fat. This makes you look tauter and more svelte.
If at all possible, avoid gaining or losing a lot of weight—especially all at once. Gaining weight can cause new pockets of fat to develop. Losing a lot of weight can cause sagging skin that keeps you from looking toned and tight.
If you’re ready to see what liposuction can do for you, contact our office. Call Plastic Surgery Arts Center or use the “book online” button on this website to request an appointment.
