Reshape the Areas Diet and Exercise Can’t Reach
For many people, a healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t enough to trim and tone the body into the shape they want. Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Hauw T Han, MD, offers liposuction at Hauw Han, MD to remove stubborn pockets of fat and improve disproportionate body contours. To schedule your consultation, call our West Chester, West Chester, OH office or book an appointment online.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is an effective body shaping procedure that removes unwanted fat from targeted areas of your body. It typically focuses on pockets of fat that don’t respond to a healthy diet and exercise plan. Areas that liposuction can treat include:
- Chin, neck, and cheeks
- Upper arms and back
- Abdomen
- Thighs and knees
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Calves and ankles
- Breast or chest area
Depending on your aesthetic goals, Dr. Han may suggest combining liposuction with other plastic surgery solutions, such as a tummy tuck, facelift, or breast reduction.
Though the procedure can remove unwanted fat, it’s not a comprehensive weight-loss solution. Ideal candidates are usually within 30% of their target body weight and have good muscle tone, along with firm, elastic skin. Non-smokers and those who don’t have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing are also good candidates.
How Do I Prepare for Liposuction?
To prepare you for liposuction, Dr. Han walks you through the treatment process and reviews your medical history. Next, he assesses your physical and mental health, provides specific information about anesthesia, and orders diagnostic testing to ensure you’re healthy enough to benefit.
During your initial consultation, it’s normal to experience some anxiety and excitement. Don’t hesitate to speak up and ask questions as they arise.
What Are the Risks of Liposuction?
Liposuction is safe and typically well tolerated. Even so, there are various risks, including:
- Uneven contours
- Rippling or loose skin
- Irregular pigmentation
- Infection at the surgical site
- Skin or nerve damage
You might also experience side effects related to the anesthesia. Before your liposuction procedure, Dr. Han has you sign several consent forms.
What Can I Expect During Liposuction?
Dr. Han offers several types of liposuction, including traditional liposuction, super-wet (tumescent) liposuction, and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty. The type that will give you the most benefit depends on your age, medical history, and the elasticity of your skin.
The procedure is the same no matter the type of liposuction you receive. First, Dr. Han makes an incision near the area of fat being treated. He inserts a cannula into the incision, which breaks up the fat and vacuums it away.
After removing the excess fat, Dr. Han dresses your incision in bandages or a compression garment. He repeats the same steps several times until achieving your desired results.
If you have extra, sagging skin following liposuction, Dr. Han might recommend a follow-up surgery at some point in the future.
How Long Is Recovery After Liposuction?
Recovery depends on the area of your body treated and the amount of fat removed. After the procedure, Dr. Han wraps the treatment site in bandages or a compression garment. He also places small, temporary drains to prevent the buildup of excess fluid.
Dr. Han writes you prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics. He then explains how to clean and care for your wounds. To ensure a speedy recovery, take your medications as recommended, clean your surgical incisions regularly, and visit the office for all of your follow-up appointments.
You may be able to return to work within a few days of your procedure and resume many of your usual activities within a few weeks.
Though it may take several months until you see the final results of your liposuction because of tissue swelling, you should notice a slimmer, trimmer figure soon after the procedure.
Liposuction Questions, Answered
Is liposuction a weight-loss procedure?
No. Liposuction removes unwanted fat from targeted areas, but it is not a comprehensive weight-loss solution. It is designed to improve body contours where fat stays put despite a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
Ideal candidates are usually within 30% of their target body weight and have good muscle tone along with firm, elastic skin. Non-smokers and people without a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing are also good candidates.
Which areas of the body can be treated with liposuction?
Liposuction can treat the chin, neck, and cheeks, upper arms and back, abdomen, thighs and knees, hips, buttocks, calves and ankles, and the breast or chest area.
What types of liposuction does Dr. Han offer?
Dr. Han offers traditional liposuction, super-wet (tumescent) liposuction, and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty. The best option depends on your age, medical history, and the elasticity of your skin.
What are the risks of liposuction?
Risks include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, irregular pigmentation, infection at the surgical site, and skin or nerve damage. You may also experience side effects related to anesthesia. Dr. Han reviews these with you and has you sign consent forms before your procedure.
How long is recovery after liposuction?
Recovery depends on the area treated and the amount of fat removed. Many patients return to work within a few days and resume many usual activities within a few weeks. Swelling can take several months to settle, but you should notice a slimmer figure soon after the procedure.
Can liposuction be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Depending on your goals, Dr. Han may suggest combining liposuction with a tummy tuck, facelift, or breast reduction. If you have extra, sagging skin after liposuction, he may also recommend a follow-up surgery in the future.
See Whether Liposuction Is Right for You
To find out if you’re a good candidate for liposuction, call Hauw Han, MD at (513) 755-8115 or request an appointment online today.