Liposuction Basics: What to Expect Before, During, and After

The most common cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States is liposuction, with around 400,000 procedures performed each year. Liposuction may be common, but for most of the people about to undergo this procedure, it’s their first time, and if you’re considering liposuction, it’s likely your first time too.

At Frederick H Watkins, MD, we have plenty of experience walking patients through this process. Here we share the liposuction basics — what to expect before, during, and after your procedure.

How to prepare for liposuction

Liposuction is so popular because it offers an immediate change in your body by removing excess, undesirable fat to sculpt an improved shape for your body. It’s not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, but it can provide results when your diet and exercise routine just can’t seem to get you over the hump.

For liposuction to be effective, make sure you’re at or near your goal weight. Liposuction doesn’t remove fat all over your body; it’s targeted at specific areas.

At your pre-op appointment, Dr. Watkins reviews the procedure, marks the area to be treated, and gives you detailed instructions to follow carefully (don’t eat before surgery, etc.).

You should also prepare your house for your recovery — arrange for help with daily tasks for a few days, make sure it’s easy to move around, and so on. 

What happens during the procedure 

To begin your liposuction, Dr. Watkins gives you a local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or sedation, depending on the extent of your procedure. He also marks the target area on your body.

Dr. Watkins injects a solution into the target area containing saline, a local anesthetic, and epinephrine to reduce bleeding and bruising. He then makes a small, discreet incision and inserts a cannula to suction out fat cells. 

In some cases, he uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy the fat before removal, which can enhance precision and reduce trauma to surrounding tissues.

What recovery is like

Liposuction usually takes anywhere from 1-3 hours under local anesthesia. You’ll be able to begin moving and walking fairly quickly, and you can go home the same day. You can return to work in a few days, but you shouldn’t do any strenuous activity or exercise for about a month.

You’ll notice an immediate change in your body shape as soon as the procedure is over. The results will get even better over the next few months as your swelling decreases, and scarring should be minimal. 

It’s important to remember that while liposuction removes fat cells permanently from the treated area, it doesn’t prevent new fat cells from forming if your lifestyle habits change. 

When you’re ready to discuss liposuction, our team at Frederick H Watkins, MD, is here to help. Call our location nearest you today — Rockville, Maryland, or McLean, Virginia — or use our online scheduling tool to request an appointment anytime.