Liposuction

• Share your health information with your plastic surgeon, remember to mention if you have allergies, previous surgeries, use of medications, hormones, vitamins or supplements and any other relevant medical information
• Your surgeon will ask you questions about what you would like to improve with the liposuction, what are your expectations for the results and will inform you of what can realistically be achieved.
• You will be physically examined, taking into account factors such as bone structure, skin thickness, fatty tissues, and the relationship to your bone structures.
• Photos at different angles will be requested in order to carry out a complete evaluation
• Pre-surgery blood tests will be ordered
• You’ll need to quit smoking completely

For patients over 40 years of age or with any added cardiac, respiratory, renal pathology, etc. The following will be requested:

• Chest X-ray
• Cardiological assessment
• Electrocardiogram

🗓️ 1 MONTH BEFORE SURGERY

• Stop smoking 1 month before your scheduled procedure
• Stop taking alcohol 1 week before the procedure
• Avoid using aspirin, fish oil, garlic and omegas, at least 3 weeks before the procedure *if you are medically required to do so, it is very important you let your medical coordinator know about this
• No exercise 3 days before the surgery
• Avoid eating very greasy food 2 days before your surgery
• No skin tanning 2 weeks before the procedure to avoid skin damage.
• Plan for your stay in Cancun for surgery and recovery
• Make sure you have lose easy to put on clothes to use during the recovery
• Get a suitcase with wheels!!!! Most of the times you won’t be allowed to carry anything heavy for a couple of weeks.

⚠️ The day / night before the surgery you will be requested NOT to EAT or DRINK anything 8 hours before the procedure. This is a very important request that you will have to follow in order to assure your personal safety during the surgery.

There are different variations of liposuction that can be performed, it will depend on your medical history of previous procedures as well as age in order for the surgeon to decide which technique will be the best for you. Liposuction reshapes the body by removing fat and contouring your body.

Anesthesia

Liposuction han be done under different methods of anesthesia. In some cases where the area is small, local anesthesia may be used. In other cases general anesthesia will be recommended in order to provide a safe surgery, give the patient the maximum comfort and allow the surgeon to work without any incidents.

Incisions & Procedure Steps for Liposuction

The incisions for liposuction are minimal, usually under 3mm to allow the cannulas to apply a special solution in order to loosen the fat before the aspiration. Latency is given for the medicated solution to take effect, when it is time, the plastic surgeon will use a surgical vacuum with a cannula to aspirate the tumescent fat deposits, contouring your body.

Depending on your needs the surgeon will suggest the best approach.

Right After Surgery

You will be taken into the recovery room to monitor your vital signs and make sure the anesthesia effects have worn out. A compression garment will be placed on your body right after surgery in order to provide pressure to help with your healing process. After having liposuction it is recommended that you stay one night at the hospital in order to make sure you recover properly.

Before You Leave The Hospital

The next after your surgery, your plastic surgeon will assess that you health conditions to go back home. You will be given instructions on how to take care of your new body along with a prescription for medication.

After the surgery your surgeon will give you a follow up appointment around the 3rd and 7th day, to check your healing, remove stitches and make sure there are no fluid accumulations. The compression garment is meant to cover the treated areas in order to control the swelling and help the skin to attach to your new body, you will be required to use it between 4 to 6 weeks. Medications to help with healing and prevent infections will be given.

You need to stay out of the sun for one month. It is important that you follow your surgeon’s recommendations in order to have a good result.

You must take in consideration the following:

• Take your medications as indicated on your post-operative care papers that you will receive before you are discharged from the hospital.
• Keep your compression garment on 24/7 unless given other instructions by your surgeon
• Be aware you will retain fluids and be swollen, this is normal, your surgeon will address this issues and give you instructions to take care of them
• Some people may become constipated after liposuction, you might want to increase your intake in fruits such as papaya or prunes to help with digestion. In some cases your surgeon will prescribe a mild laxative.
• First follow-up post-surgical appointment will be between the 3rd and 5th day to remove the chest drains
• Relative rest for 10 days
• No sexual activity for 4 weeks
• You should not exercise or exert yourself in the next 4 weeks
• You will be able to shower after your first office check-up with your doctor
• You should not sunbathe for the next 4 weeks
• You shouldn’t be touching your wounds
• You have to keep your compression garment at all times
• You will need to sleep on your back in a semi-sitting position for  at least the following 10 days
• You should not smoke at all

⚠️ It is very important that you understand that not following this instructions can ruin the results for your surgery.

• Attend to all of your post surgery follow-up appointments

Remember: 

It is important that you understand that after liposuction you will experience swelling and fluid retention, this will subside with time and proper medication given to you by your surgeon as well as the constant use of the compression garment. The compression garment is usually required to be worn for 4-6 weeks to help with the healing process. Good results are expected but you must remember that there is no guarantee and in some cases it may require more than one surgical procedure to do so.

🚩 Skin tightness is not something that can be improved with liposuction, for this there are many other options your surgeon can advise to improve the laxity.

Although risks and complications rarely occur during a liposuction surgery, they can include:

• Anesthesia complications
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Infection
• Numbness
• Thrombosis
• Asymmetries

In order to decrease the risks your surgeon will ask for a series of blood tests and if needed a cardiological evaluation to ensure you are in good health for your procedure.

Liposuction in large areas such as abdomen or back is recommended to be done under general anesthesia to prevent any sudden movement by the patient while the surgeon performs the procedure and avoid any punctures to intra-abdominal organs.

Following your surgeon’s recommendations will favor a good outcome.