Liposuction Safety: A Guide for Patients
The decision to have plastic surgery isn’t one that people make on a whim. Most patients have thought about their surgery for months or even years, weighing the pros and cons before they decide to make that commitment and move forward. Of the “cons” patients consider, the most prominent one is usually the risks of having surgery.
As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, it is my aim to educate my patients about everything they need to know about their surgery, including the risks and limitations. While this will vary from patient to patient, I’m dedicating this blog to answering your questions and concerns about liposuction safety.
Is Liposuction Safe?
Truthfully, there are always risks that come with any type of surgery, whether it is cosmetic or medically necessary. However, serious complications are rare with liposuction surgery, so the safety rate is high for this procedure.
Before your surgery, you’ll have a one-on-one consultation with your plastic surgeon. During this consultation, you’ll discuss the results and the surgical and recovery experience you can expect, as well as the risks. I also require certain medical testing and documentation for every patient before their surgery so we can identify any added risk factors in advance.
Ways to Make Your Liposuction Surgery Safer
As rare as serious complications are, it’s important to take steps to make your liposuction surgery as safe as possible. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect your health before surgery.
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Choose a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
It’s important to realize that not every provider that offers cosmetic surgery is actually board-certified in plastic surgery. Some providers may be board-certified in other specialties, such as cosmetic surgery, which is not an AMA-recognized board. Surgeons board-certified in other areas of medicine don’t have the in-depth training and tested knowledge of a board-certified plastic surgeon. I am proud to provide my patient with the added comfort of knowing that I am double board-certified – certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and in general surgery by the American College of Surgeons.
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Consider a Minimally Invasive Option
While every liposuction procedure is tailored to the patient, there are some types of liposuction that are particularly different from the norm – mini liposuction surgeries. A mini liposuction surgery can vary, but these procedures typically use minimally invasive methods and smaller incisions to treat smaller, more localized pockets of unwanted fat.
In my case, I offer a unique variation: my signature Band Aid Liposuction. Not only is this surgery minimally invasive but it uses gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. This goes a long way toward minimizing the surgical risks while also making the procedure more cost-effective and reducing the recovery time.
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Select a Surgeon with Plenty of Liposuction Experience
Many plastic surgeons have certain specialties that become their primary focus. For example, some surgeons almost exclusively perform breast augmentations. Other surgeons have more variety in their cases.
It’s important that for liposuction, you choose a plastic surgeon who performs liposuction on a regular basis. They don’t need to specialize exclusively in liposuction, but if they rarely perform this procedure, their skills won’t be as sharp as someone who does perform it often. For example, they may not have the expertise to ensure that your skin is firm after your surgery.
Setting the Stage for a Safe and Effective Liposuction Surgery
If you have an area of fat that has been resistant to diet and exercise and you’re looking for a controlled way to sculpt it into the shape you want, liposuction could be a perfect choice. With the safety tips above, you can protect your health while also getting the cosmetic results you want. To discuss your surgery, call my plastic surgery practice in Atlanta today to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook for more cosmetic surgery tips.