Your New Anticipated Look
You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible. If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the results of your liposuction. You will find that you look better in a wide variety of clothes and are more at ease with your body. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape.
Planning Your Liposuction
In your initial consultation, Dr. Lacerna will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. She may recommend alternative methods of treatment. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck may more effectively meet your goals. Be frank in discussing your expectations with Dr. Lacerna. Again, she will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after liposuction, and to help you at home for a day or two.
All Surgeries Carry Some Uncertainty and Risk
Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the physician is adequately trained. Though rare, complications may occur. Risks increase if a greater number of areas are treated at the same time, or if large amounts of fat and fluid are removed, requiring longer operating times. Very rarely, the formation of fat clots or blood clots can migrate to the lungs and cause death. The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after lipoplasty. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even baggy, especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.
Liposuction Procedures
Liposuction services are provided by Dr. Melinda Lacerna in Sarasota/Bradenton. At LA Plastic Surgery, the liposuction procedure helps sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Although liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods. If you’re considering liposuction, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure – when it can help, how it is performed and how you might look and feel after surgery. Please ask Dr. Lacerna if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.
Double Board Certified Surgeon Dr. Melinda Lacerna
In 1998, Dr. Lacerna obtained her medical degree from the University of California in Irvine; she then pursued her training in general surgery at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles followed by a plastic surgery residency at Temple University in Philadelphia.
She is double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Lacerna performs a variety of plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures with special interests in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, body sculpting, and body contouring after massive weight loss.
