Do I have to Wear Compression after Liposuction?

It's best to anticipate needing to wear a compression garment for several weeks after your liposuction procedure. Initially, your post-operative instructions may require continual wear. You'll remove the garment to shower but, once your skin is completely dry, you should reapply it. After approximately three weeks of good recovery, you may decrease your compression use to evenings only or when you feel you could use the support. Keep in mind that your liposuction compression garment is intended for several purposes. These include:

• Preventing fluid buildup in the layer of fat that remains.
• Protecting your stitches from disruption and unnecessary tugging.
• Improving tissue recovery.
• Minimizing swelling and bruising.
• Improving circulation.
• Promoting your ideal shape.

When Can I go Back to Work after Liposuction?

After your procedure, you'll have some swelling, bruising, and soreness. Depending on the size of the area you've had treated and how much the area is involved in your daily movements, you may be able to go back to work as soon as a few days after your procedure. In addition to your treatment area, the type of work that you do also matters. Jobs that require more intense physical activity may not be appropriate right away. You may need additional time off to fully heal before returning to a demanding job. Our team will discuss this aspect of your recovery with you based on your procedure and job requirements so you can plan sufficient time for a full and stress-free recovery.

When Can I Exercise after Liposuction?

After having liposuction, it will be necessary for you to walk for about five minutes, several times a day. Doing so ensures that your circulation is maintained and you do not experience a heightened risk of blood clots. As your recovery progresses past week one, you might begin increasing the amount of time you walk, but not by much, just a few more minutes here and there. You should not yet increase the intensity and speed of walking. You don't yet want to increase your heart rate too much. Ideally, you'll wait three to five weeks to return to light cardio exercise and a full six weeks before resuming a more strenuous workout routine. During your post-op visit, we'll assess your recovery progress and discuss what activities are appropriate to resume and when. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office.

Are there Nonsurgical Alternatives to Liposuction?

As safe and effective as liposuction is, we understand that you may lean more towards a non-surgical method of fat reduction. At this time, CoolSculpting® is the best option. This non-surgical, non-invasive treatment has a proven record of safety and success. It doesn't work as quickly as liposuction but it doesn't require even tiny incisions, nor does it require downtime or anesthesia. To achieve the best results, you'll need a series of treatments, each of which may take 30 to 60 minutes. The amount of fat loss is also significantly less with CoolSculpting. That said, it can be a great treatment option for small areas of stubborn fat!

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

Almost everyone has an area or areas on their body where the fat won’t respond to exercise or changes in diet. If you’ve tried working on these areas to no avail, liposuction could be the answer. Liposuction is not a weight reduction procedure; it is simply a way to remove those stubborn pockets of fat. The procedure could work for you if:

• You are within 15% of your ideal body weight
• You have firm skin with good elasticity
• You have good muscle tone
• You maintain a consistent weight

Before your initial consultation, all potential patients should do some research. Learn about the procedure and look at many before and after pictures of liposuction patients to find photos of people with similar body types as yours.

During your consultation, Dr. Saltz will discuss the procedure, your expectations, and goals, and if it seems like a good fit for your particular situation. Dr. Saltz will go through your medical history and conduct a physical exam. As with any surgical procedure, successful candidates need to be in good general health.