Liposuction

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites from the abdomen, things, buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere. Liposuction is not a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet. It is a form of body contouring with significant attendant risks and is not a weight loss method. The amount of fat removed varies by doctor, method, and patient.

Preparation

Before receiving any of the procedures described above:
No anticoagulants should be taken for two weeks before the surgery.
If receiving general anesthesia or sedation, and the surgery will be in the morning, fasting from midnight the night before is required. If only local anesthesia will be used, fasting is not required.
Smoking must be avoided for about two months prior to surgery; nicotine interferes with circulation and can result in loss of tissue.

The procedure

In all liposuction methods, the are certain things that should be done when having the procedure:
The candidate and the surgeon will agree ahead of time on exactly which area(s) will be treated and both will discuss what outcome to expect.
Sometimes photos will be taken of the area to be treated, so the patient will have before and after photos.
Local anesthetic is injected and the patient may be given a sedative, either orally, or through and IV injection.
Incisions are small, about a quarter to a third of an inch.
Usually the patient can get up, walk around, and go home the same day.

Recovery

Depending on the extent of the liposuction, patients are generally able to return to work or school between two days and two weeks. A compression garment or bandage is worn for two to four weeks. If non-absorbable sutures are placed, they removed after five to ten days.

Any pain is controlled by a prescription or over-the-counter medication, and may last as long as two weeks, depending on the particular procedure.