Liposuction vs. Tummy Tuck: What is the difference?
A tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen, typically after weight loss or pregnancy. It may also entail the repair of separated abdominal muscles if required. While some subcutaneous fat is removed along with the skin, fat reduction is not the primary goal of a tummy tuck. Liposuction specifically aims to extract adipose tissue, which can result in a more toned abdomen. Some liposuction technologies have a skin-tightening effect, although those effects are modest compared to what a tummy tuck can accomplish. Depending on your goals and clinical presentation, Dr. Kolker may suggest a tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combined procedure.
What happens during the Liposuction procedure?
Immediately before the liposuction procedure, Dr. Kolker will make "topographic markings" on all of the areas that will be treated. In Dr. Kolker's fully accredited surgical facility located on Park Avenue in New York City Liposuction is performed under sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia, depending on the number of liposuction zones to be treated and the extent of fat reduction. For very small areas of excess fat, local anesthesia only will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Kolker's surgery suite is accredited by the AAAASF (American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities), conforming to and exceeding the rigorous requirements for ambulatory surgery safety. The anesthesiologists are board-certified specialists. The procedure duration varies depending on your unique requirements, and may range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Can I exercise after Liposuction?
After most liposuction procedures, light cardio (treadmill, elliptical, outdoor walking) can be resumed around 5 days, more vigorous workouts can resume around two weeks, and exercise and training are generally unrestricted at 4-6 weeks.
How do I recover after Liposuction
Liposuction is an ambulatory procedure. After surgery, you will rest in our recovery room, attended to by a registered nurse, until you are awake and comfortable, generally for about one hour after surgery. A liposuction compressive garment is worn home.
Return to work may be as early as two days after liposuction, however more extensive lipoplasty may require up to one week. The liposuction compression garment is worn religiously for 2 weeks, with more respites during weeks 3 and 4. The garment is worn only for exercise during weeks 5 and 6. In many cases, Spanx can be used in place of a surgical garment. Swelling predominates for the first two weeks, then begins to resolve quickly; at 6 weeks, swelling decreases even more rapidly, with an approximate result achieved around 12 weeks after your NYC Liposuction.
What kind of results can I expect after Liposuction?
Once the initial swelling resolves, the treated area takes on a notably slimmer and more contoured appearance. This makes it possible for Dr. Kolker's patients to feel more confident in their skin and look great in all their preferred styles of clothing.
How painful is Liposuction recovery?
Most patients rate their pain after liposuction as mild to moderate. The recovery process is well tolerated in most cases. Factors that can affect an individual's experience during recovery include individual differences in pain tolerance, the number of areas treated, whether Dr. Kolker performed Liposuction in addition to another surgical procedure, and the extent of fat removed.
Does Liposuction permanently remove fat?
Once the fat cells are extracted, those fat cells are gone forever. However, liposuction cannot prevent new fat cells from forming in the future. To maintain your results after lipo, it is important to maintain your weight with a healthy diet and exercise plan.
How much weight can I lose with liposuction?
Liposuction is not a weight-loss solution. It is not a substitute for diet and exercise. Rather, it is a body contouring procedure. While reducing subcutaneous fat may lower the number you see on the scale by a few pounds, this is not really a good indicator of whether your liposuction procedure was successful.
What do I do after my Liposuction?
Dr. Kolker will see you several times during your early recovery, and then at one year after your Liposuction is complete. Dr. Kolker and his staff will always be available to answer any questions you may have about recovery and all activities following the procedure.
