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A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing for Liposuction

You work hard at making sure that you are in good shape. You exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. The problem that you run into is that you are not happy with some parts of your body. Your stomach is not as firm as you would like, or your thighs may be a little bigger than you like. In this case, liposuction is a great investment for your body and there are certain things you can do to get the best results. 

Liposuction (also called lipoplasty or body contouring) is a surgical procedure that sculpts the body by using a suction technique that removes excess fat from various parts of the body. Normally, areas that need liposuction include abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, chins, upper arms and cheeks.

Discussed below are tips on how to prepare for liposuction surgery.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seek for the right plastic surgeon through trusted sources
  • Book a first consultation
  • Ask important questions on expectations, costs, the HC team and the procedure
  • Get a medical evaluation before the surgery
  • Take important self-care measures and make arrangements for after the surgery

Find the Right-Fit Cosmetic Surgeon for Your Liposuction

When considering liposuction, your initial and most important step is to have consultations with potential plastic surgeons. Start by seeking recommendations from trusted sources, such as friends, family, or healthcare professionals, and explore online reviews for insights into a surgeon’s reputation. Pay attention to their qualifications, years of experience, and specialization in liposuction. Schedule consultations with the surgeons who align with your preferences, ask questions, and assess their approach and communication style.

During the consultation with your surgeon, details, risks and costs of the procedure are explained. Some doctors use technology to show you what you can expect after the procedure. The first consultation is very important because you have an idea of what the results could look like, and it takes away the doubts and fears. Keep in mind that liposuction improves your body shape but it doesn’t make it perfect. Your doctor will explain the approximate length of time your body may take to recover.

Request a liposuction consultation in Barrie.

10 Important Questions to Ask on Your First Liposuction Consultation

Getting liposuction is no easy decision to make. There are several questions that you should get answered before you make the decision to get that medical procedure

1. Am I a Good Candidate?

The cynic in you might expect all surgeons to say yes, but the fact is, they won’t – this will only avoid complications for patients not suited for liposuction later on. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, nor does it remove loose skin or tighten flaccid tummy muscles. Additionally, at our clinic, Liposuction can only be performed on patients whose BMI falls below 35.

2. Experience in Liposuction

The longer that a doctor has done the procedure you are having done, the better it is for you. The doctor will know what to expect during the procedure, and how to cope with the stress of any type of complications that will occur. Take comfort in knowing that Dr. Kenneth Dickie has been performing cosmetic surgery for over 35 years. 

3. Cost of Liposuction Procedure

You need to know the price tag for every part of the procedure. Be informed about potential costs that are part of post-operative procedures.

  • At the Royal Centre of Plastic Surgery, all follow-up appointments including your post-operative dressing changes are at no additional cost. Dr. Dickie will space your follow-up appointments out and you will see him regularly after surgery, and then periodically for up to 6 months-1 year after your surgery.
  • Liposuction costs do vary from patient to patient, depending on several factors such as how involved your surgery will be, your BMI, medical history, and the areas you are wishing to correct. A personalized quote will be provided to you following your consultation. 
  • We do offer financing through our partners at Beautifi. If you wish to make monthly payments versus paying in one lump sum, please visit our financing options. Pre-approvals for financing do not affect your credit score!

Check out average costs in our Ontario Liposuction Cost Guide.

4. Options

Find all of the other options to any medical procedure. Your doctor may give you several different alternatives to surgery , such as non-invasive body contouring procedures or laser-assisted fat reduction treatments. Additionally, they might discuss lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise regimens tailored to your specific goals, or recommend other surgical options like tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) for more comprehensive results. 

5. Safety

Sometimes you may not be aware of different types of issues that will cause problems during the process. One of those problems could be the type of skin that you have. Some people recover quickly for surgery and other do not, sometimes that is because of body chemistry and not anything the doctor has done.

6. Complications

There are always chances to have complications from surgery. How does your doctor explain those complications?

A reputable surgeon takes the time to explain all facets of the liposuction procedure, from potential risks to expected results. This dialogue encourages patients to ask questions, voice concerns, and gain a comprehensive understanding of what the surgery entails.

These assessments and discussions result in a personalized surgical plan that aligns with your specific needs and minimizes potential risks associated with the liposuction procedure.

7. Post-op and Recovery Time

What are his post-operative procedures? What does the surgeon do if there were mistakes made during the surgery or the recovery process? How long will it take to recover from the surgery?

Read more about what to expect after liposuction here.

8. Surgical team

You should get an overview of the healthcare team involved in your surgery. Ensure that your healthcare team consists of qualified and experienced professionals. The surgical team typically consists of professionals with specialized training in their respective roles, such as the surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical technicians.

9. References

You should get opinions from other patients of the doctor. During the consultation you can ask for patient testimonials and before-and-after photos to gauge their track record. 

10. Surgical procedure

What are the techniques the doctor is going to use for the procedure? Some doctors will use the most current techniques that will give you a greater chance at a fast recovery.

There are many different liposuction techniques, all of which should result in inconspicuous scars. Single port liposuction is a method by which fat is removed from many different areas of the body via a single incision. Tumescent liposuction breaks apart fat cells for easier removal and more even results, while the ultrasonic technique may work best on muscular areas. Your surgeon should choose the method(s) based on an evaluation of your body and your goals.

Get a Medical Evaluation

A medical evaluation and lab tests will be necessary. People who have life threatening diseases need special care during such procedures. If you are on birth control pills, you will need to use other birth control measures. This will help reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs after the procedure. 

Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medication, some antibiotic, aspirin, ibuprofen and vitamins a week before the surgery. These drugs may lead to increased bleeding during and after liposuction

Your skin will also be examined to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. A firm, elastic skin and a good muscle tone is important.

Take Care of Yourself Before the Procedure

Maintain a stable, healthy weight 

Avoid crash diets or extreme calorie restrictions, as these can lead to nutrient deficiencies and make it harder to maintain weight. Pay attention to portion sizes to prevent overeating. Engage in regular physical activity to help maintain your weight.

Implement a “pre-liposuction diet”

Reduce salt intake to minimize postoperative swelling, stay well-hydrated, and focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. By adhering to a pre-liposuction diet plan, you can enhance your body’s readiness for surgery, support the healing process, and potentially optimize the results of the liposuction procedure. Consulting with a healthcare professional or surgeon for personalized dietary recommendations is essential to ensure the diet aligns with individual health and surgical goals.

Don’t smoke

Do not smoke for at least 8 weeks before the procedure; smoking may cause complications during the surgery. Bear in mind that you’ll resume smoking once you’ve completely recovered

Make Special Arrangements

In most cases, most patients will go home on the same day of the procedure. Due to the effects of the anesthesia, there are certain things you need to arrange before undergoing the procedure.

  • You’ll still be dizzy after the surgery so you need to make sure there is someone driving you home
  • Make sure you arrange for someone to help you with special care to help speed up your recovery
  • Your body may be slightly swollen and painful so you need some baggy clothes
  • Ensure that you have ample supply of vitamins and pain killers to ease the pain
  • You may need some dressings to cover up incision areas
  •  Do your shopping, house cleaning and run other errands before your surgery so that you won’t have to worry about it during recovery
  • Purchase and label all your medications to avoid confusing which should be taken in what amount and at what time

Liposuction Consultation in Barrie

Are you considering liposuction but you have questions first? Visit our website and click the blue “Chat With Us” icon in the lower right field. Someone will be there to chat with you right away. Otherwise, please feel free to email us at info@royalcentreofplasticsurgery.com!

Our state-of-the-art private operating facility is located in Barrie, 40 minutes north of Toronto.