FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LIPOSUCTION

If you have fat deposits anywhere on your body or face and they do not respond to diet and exercise, you may be a candidate for liposuction.

Liposuction removes local fat deposits that can affect the shape, proportion and contour of your body. The results can lead to improve self-image and sense of greater confidence in how you look and present yourself.

Dr. Brueck answers your questions about this procedure. If you are scheduled for liposuction, please click here to access a printable informed consent form. By completing and signing this form before you arrive at the Surgery center, you can save yourself some time.

Q: What is liposuction?
A: Liposuction is the introduction of a canula into the fatty tissue layers of various parts of the body to de-bulk and remove fatty tissue.

Q: Are there different types of liposuction?
A: There are different types of lipoplasty but basically they all have the same underlying principal, and that is simply to remove excess fatty tissue between the skin and the muscle. The technique most commonly employed is called the tumescent technique wherein we infuse fluid containing anesthetic solution and epinephrine to minimize bruising in the area prior to the suctioning.

Q: How painful is it?
A: Liposuction postoperatively is not a particularly painful procedure. I tell most of my patients that it is more soreness and sort of bruising than anything else. Obviously you will be given pain pills to fill preoperatively and you should take them as directed after the operation so that youwill not be too uncomfortable.

Q: What can I expect postoperatively?
A: I think it is important to understand after any kind of liposuction, particularly if you are doing the mid-section, thighs or legs, that you will be bigger before you are smaller. It has happened in the past where the patients have called 3 to 4 days after the operation and say that they are bigger than when I started. That is normal. Usually by the end of 4 to 6 weeks you will be about 80% of where you are going to be, the last 20% of the swelling will go down over a period of time.

It is not unusual that if you are a week to three weeks post-op you may feel areas of hardness or indurations under the skin. This is normal and you should not be alarmed by it. Many times the areas that we liposuction will be hypo-sensitive or numb and this is normal.

Q: When can I resume normal activities?
A: I would say that real physical activity such as jogging or running, anything of that sort, would require approximately three to four weeks before you can get back to normal activities.

Usually, immediately after 24 hours after the operation, you can get in the shower and get all of the areas wet. You will be provided with a compressive garment that should be worn night and day to minimize the swelling and allow the skin to contract in a normal fashion.

Q: Can liposuction be done more than once?
A: Liposuction can be done several times. I think it is important to understand that if someone has a fair amount of fatty tissue, that anything they do to enhance the results such as dieting and exercise will just make the results that much more pleasant for the individual.

Many times we will do liposuction in stages, we will suction for example, the abdomen, back and the flanks and the patient will come back at a later point in time and have the inner thighs, anterior thighs, knees, and saddle bag areas done.

Q: Will the fat come back?
A: This is a question that is asked over and over again. I like to tell the patients to think of the fat cell as a storage tank. Once you perform liposuction the number of fat cells or storage tanks that you have will be greatly diminished.

Most people think that when we reach adolescence the number of fat cells in our body is fairly constant. So when we do the liposuction we remove millions of fat cells and these will never return, however the fat cells that remain can store more fat. I.E.;

if you were to overeat and indulge, theoretically you can still gain weight. So it is imperative that the person that has the liposuction should do everything in their power to drink plenty of fluids, exercise, eat a more nutritious diet and altogether lead a healthier lifestyle.

Q: How common are skin irregularities or dimpling?
A: For the most part many people who come in for the liposuction will already have dimpling of the skin, surface irregularities, etc. I think it is important to understand that liposuction is not a technique designed to eliminate cellulite or dimpling of the skin. It is a de-bulking procedure that will remove volume, it will not remove loose skin or correct dimpling, and there are other procedures available to improve the cellulite that many women suffer from. One of the procedures we perform is called vela Smooth.

The video below uses professional models for demonstration purposes. The results are not those of Dr. Brueck.

Click this link for before-and-after photos of Dr. Brueck's liposuction work.

Dr. Brueck, currently practices in a world-class plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery facility. He applies the most advanced technologies and the latest treatment therapies to provide patients with the best in surgical and non-surgical results.

In some cases, liposuction alone may be the procedure that can achieve the contouring results you want. In other cases, procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast reduction (male or female) and a facelift may be indicated.

In any case, liposuction is not a substitute treatment for obesity instead of exercise and proper diet. It also will not work to eliminate or reduce cellulite.

If you are an adult of any age who is within 30% of your ideal weight and your skin is firm and elastic and you have good muscle tone, Dr. Brueck believes you may be a good candidate for liposuction. You should also be a non-smoker and not have a life threatening disease or a medical condition that could hinder your ability to heal. A positve life outlook and specific body contouring goals in mind is helpful.

You are invited to arrange a free, personal, confidential consultation with Dr. Brueck by clicking this link or by calling 239-939-5233.

Dr. Brueck and his highly trained staff are dedicated to providing patients with the finest in cosmetic and plastic surgery in a responsive and comforting manner.