If you’re planning to have lipedema surgery, you need to be sure you’ve made the right choice. To make sure you are making the right choice, you need to ask your cosmetic surgeon critical questions before you undergo your procedure. Your surgeon will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Here are five questions you should make time to ask at your consultation.
What Will Happen On The Day I Have Surgery?
Your surgeon will give you all the information you need about what will happen on the day of your surgery. They will give you advice about how to prepare correctly for your procedure. They will provide you with instructions about any medications that you take. Your cosmetic surgeon will also tell you what to avoid and what to do to ensure the best outcome.
The night before your procedure, get plenty of rest. In the morning, eat a wholesome, healthy breakfast and remember to stay well hydrated. You should arrange for someone to give you a lift to your procedure, because you will not be able to drive home afterward yourself.
When you arrive, the surgical team will prepare you for your procedure. You will receive a local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain or discomfort. The surgeon will then make tiny incisions in the area they are treating. They will pass a narrow tube called a cannula into the incisions. They will then suck out the excess fat.
You will be able to go home on the same day as your surgery. You will receive a compression garment to wear and medication to take. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when you can resume normal activity and what activities to avoid.
Will I Need More Than One Surgery?
Some patients with lipedema require multiple surgeries to remove their excess fat. You may need two or more procedures, or you may only require one. Your surgeon will tell you what to expect. If you are at an early stage of the disease, you may only need a single surgery.
When Can I Go Back To Work After My Procedure?
In most cases, patients can go back to work within two weeks. Full recovery, though, can take as long as six weeks. You’ll need to rest for a couple of days after surgery. After that, you’ll need to do some light exercise, such as walking, to help the fluids drain. Your surgeon will tell you when you can start exercising more intensively again. They will also let you know when you’re fit to return to work.
How Long Must I Wear Compression Garments For?
Your surgeon will tell you how to wear your compression garments, and the length of time you need to wear them. You will probably need to wear them 24/7 for the initial few weeks after surgery. Afterward, you’ll need to wear them for around 12 hours per day. Compression garments will help you to heal properly and improve the outcome of your surgery.
Will My Skin Be Loose After Surgery?
Every lipedema patient is different. Loose skin after surgery depends on how much fat the surgeon is extracting and your skin elasticity. Here at ArtLipo, though, Dr. Su is a specialist in the field. He can achieve impressive results when it comes to tightening the surrounding tissues and skin after lipo surgery.
If you have more questions about your lipedema surgery, don’t hesitate to contact the ArtLipo team today.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
