Liposuction Miami FL, sometimes referred to as lipo, is an incredibly safe, effective body contouring method. It has been used since the 70s to help people with stubborn pockets of fat improve their appearance and self-confidence. At Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Aventura, FL, we are excited to offer this procedure to help our clients boost their self-esteem. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the results you can realistically expect from this procedure.
Is Liposuction Miami FL Permanent?
Liposuction Miami FL permanently removes fat cells from the treatment areas. However, it doesn’t eliminate all of the fat cells in the treatment areas. Depending on the size of the area being treated, you can expect somewhere between 26 and 80% of the subcutaneous fat cells to be removed. The remaining 20 to 74% of the localized fat cells, as well as visceral fat, can expand with excess energy and affect your appearance after your procedure.
To ensure your ideal results remain for as long as possible, you need to do your best to maintain your new weight. Weight fluctuations caused by an increase in water retention are to be expected. You should not feel surprised or concerned to see an increase in your weight if you recently had an intense workout, especially if it involved weight lifting, or if you ate a lot of foods that were high in salt or carbs.
How Much Fat Can I Gain After My Procedure?
As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to maintain your weight within around five pounds of fat. If you don’t want to weigh yourself periodically, consider measuring your treated areas once per week or month. This way, you can see if the treated area is getting larger over time. Since your genes determine where your body stores fat, if you consume an excess of calories, there is a good chance you will store the excess energy in the treated areas.
What Can I Expect After My Procedure?
You should expect to feel very after your fat removal surgery. You will receive either general anesthesia or a sedative prior to surgery. If you receive a sedative instead of general anesthesia, you will also receive a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel any pain in the treatment area. Regardless of the medication you receive to keep you calm, you should expect to feel groggy for several hours after it wears off.
You should be aware that due to the effects of the drugs administered prior to surgery, it will not be safe for you to drive yourself home. You need to arrange for transportation to and from our conveniently located office before your appointment. You should not be surprised if you do not feel alert enough to drive safely for at least a few days post-op.
How Much Should I Sleep During My Recovery Period?
You should sleep as much as you can during your recovery period. While you may normally feel fine with only 7.5 hours of sleep, do your best to sleep for nine consecutive hours nightly while you recover. Your skin will heal from the incisions faster if you spend a lot of time in the final (REM) stage of the sleep cycle. The reason it is ideal to sleep consecutively is that you spend more time in the REM stage during subsequent cycles in a period of sleep.
Note, that it is important that you do not toss and turn while you sleep. Depending on where your excess fat is removed from, you may need to sleep on your back to avoid too much pressure being put on your incision sites. For instance, you will need to sleep on your back if excess fat is removed from your chest or abdomen.
How Long Will I Need to Take Off From Work?
If you have a sedentary job, you should only need to take around a week off from work. On the other hand, if your job is physically demanding, you should plan to take no fewer than 10 days of PTO. Note that you should not engage in strenuous activity for six to eight weeks post-op. If you have a physically demanding job and can’t afford to take a couple of months off, know that you will not be able to complete your normal duties when you return.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
If you’re pretty healthy and concerned about stubborn fat pockets, there’s a good chance you’ll qualify for lipo. However, attending an initial evaluation with a cosmetic surgeon is the only way to find out for sure whether you’re a good fit for this procedure. The two primary reasons you need to attend an initial evaluation are to verify this procedure will be effective and safe for you.
For lipo to be an effective solution to your cosmetic problems, there must be a minimum amount of fat in an area of concern. If there isn’t enough excess subcutaneous fat, you may not find the results of your procedure satisfactory. On the flip side of the same coin, you may not be satisfied with your results if there is too much excess fat in an area of concern.
Do I Have to Be a Healthy Weight to Qualify for This Procedure?
It is ideal if your BMI falls within the normal range if you are considering lipo, but it is not a hard requirement. If your BMI falls within the overweight range, you may still be a good fit for this procedure. However, you will not qualify for lipo if you suffer from obesity.
One reason is that if you suffer from obesity, you may not be healthy enough for surgery. Another reason is that you probably have too much excess fat to achieve desirable results. The ideal Liposuction Miami FL candidate is no more than 10 pounds from their goal weight, but you may be a good fit as long as you are no more than 30 pounds from your goal weight.
What Medical Conditions Will Disqualify Me From Lipo?
There are a number of medical conditions besides obesity that will disqualify you from lipo. For example, you will be considered a good fit for this procedure if you have heart disease and need to take an NSAID every day. Discontinuing the use of NSAIDs is one of the most important preparation steps you must take prior to surgery, and it is also important to not take NSAIDs shortly after surgery.
Another medical condition that will disqualify you from this procedure is uncontrolled diabetes. Depending on the number of areas you are targeting for fat removal, you may need general anesthesia rather than local anesthesia and a sedative. However, you don’t just need your heart and lungs to be in good health to qualify for general anesthesia. You also need solid blood sugar control; you will need to fast for eight hours prior to receiving general anesthesia.
Can I Get Lipo if I Want to Get Pregnant in the Future?
Yes, it is possible to qualify for lipo if you plan to get pregnant in the future. However, you cannot receive this body contouring procedure if you are currently pregnant or nursing. Generally, we look for women who have not nursed in at least six months when determining who is a good lipo candidate. It takes a lot of energy for your skin to recover from the incisions, and pregnancy takes a significant toll on the body.
Keep in mind that pregnancy often results in fat gain. If you gain fat during your pregnancy and don’t subsequently lose it, you may need lipo again in the future to restore your ideal contours. Also, keep in mind that you do not need to worry about gaining fat during your pregnancy unless your OBGYN advises you that you are gaining too much. Fat gain is perfectly normal and, most of the time, perfectly healthy.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
Liposuction Miami FL eliminates fat cells from the body permanently. However, if you don’t monitor your calorie consumption, you may find your contours changing for the worse. To find out if lipo is right for you, contact us today at Biotech Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Aventura, FL if you are in the Sunny Isles, Coral Gables, Miami, or Bay Harbor area. We have a convenient office at 1111 Kane Concourse Suite #111 Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154.