Putting It All Together

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to liposuction.

• Liposuction is surgery to improve body contour and not a weight-loss technique.

• Liposuction can remove pockets of excess fat from specific areas of the body, including the thighs, hips, tummy, and legs.

• The best candidates for liposuction are healthy adults who have a normal weight; isolated areas of fat that will not go away with exercise or diet; and firm, supple skin.

• As with any surgery, liposuction has risks. Fortunately, serious complications, such as infection, nerve damage, blood clots, shock and death, are rare.

• You can help decrease the risks of liposuction by following your surgeon's instructions before and after surgery, having only a moderate amount of fat removed, and limiting the number of other surgical procedures done at the same time.

• Immediately after liposuction, expect to have some minor contour imperfections, discomfort, bruises, swelling, and temporary numbness of the treated area.

• You likely will not see the full effects of liposuction until healing is complete, after three months or longer.

• Remember that liposuction will improve your body shape, but you will not achieve physical perfection.