How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

You are about to undergo a procedure called liposuction, to remove unwanted and unhealthy extra fat from your body. We hope that you have discussed your options with your doctor, and have gotten a recommendation to a reputable surgeon to perform your liposuction. Now you find yourself wondering what will happen after liposuction, and you have a lot of questions that need answering.  You’re looking forward to your improved appearance after liposuction, but what else should you be anticipating?

• Depending upon whether your liposuction is performed in a hospital or a clinic, you’ll either spend the night in the hospital or go home a few hours after liposuction. If your doctor has told you to expect to go home, be sure you have someone available to drive you home. You won’t feel like driving, nor should you attempt to drive, right after liposuction.
• Be sure to check with your doctor about resuming work and other normal activities after liposuction. The advice on this matter will depend somewhat on the amount of fat removed, and your general post-surgical condition.
• You’ll need to wear a special tight support garment after liposuction to keep your skin compressed so it can heal properly. Some doctors or hospitals provide these. Otherwise, your doctor can tell you where to buy them.
• Before you are discharged after liposuction, you’ll get an appointment for the removal of your stitches in about a week. You will also receive advice about hygiene and taking care of the stitches.
• You may be given a prescription for an antibiotic after liposuction, to avoid any infection. You may also get a prescription for painkillers, to help with post-surgical discomfort.

What about liposuction post-operative care?
Be insistent about understanding every nuance of the post-operative procedure. Many complications can occur when the patient doesn’t realize her part in the healing process. For example, scar tissue can cause problems for a breast implant. One of the ways to minimize that risk is to keep your breasts tightly bound and your arms firmly at your side, with little to no movement and no lifting for four to seven days.

Can you see liposuction “before” and “after” photos?
There should be an abundance of these in the waiting room, and your doctor should have plenty to show you during your consultation. Computer imaging is important so that you can see “before” and “after” images of you.
Can you speak with an actual patient who has had liposuction procedure done?
Speaking to someone who has had the same done by your doctor, would be of great benefit to you. Your cosmetic surgeon should be able to provide you with a list of his patients who are willing to tell you how their surgery went. This is a chance to have a real informal chat and ask some intimate patient to patient questions.

If the procedure is to be done in an outpatient center or an office, is the facility Medicare certified and state licensed?
What this means is that if the facility is certified by both of these organizations, then you know that there is strict adherence to safety, operational, management and sterilization protocols.