Lunchtime and low downtime procedures are rapidly gaining popularity in the world of cosmetic surgery as clients seek maximum outcome for minimal investment. While it can work sometimes,Why Liposuction Still Isn’t A “Lunchtime” Procedure Articles with many more intensive procedures, such as liposuction, the technology is still not there yet. There are too many variables to turn this procedure into a quick, one-day lunchtime result turnaround. While this may deter people to look for their fast cosmetic fix, liposuction when performed carefully and correctly can provide patients with fantastic, lifetime-lasting results.
So why isn’t liposuction a lunchtime procedure? First off, it can be difficult to perform well. Even a skilled plastic surgeon that routinely performs this procedure will take the time necessary to get it done right the first time. It is too easy to make a small slipup that can permanently scar the patient. Removing too much or too little fat is one example of how the procedure can lead to poor results. It can be difficult to judge exactly how much should be removed from each area until the surgeon begins the procedure. Fat can be distributed differently in each individual and what suits one body type may not be flattering on another.
Many people falsely believe that removing large amounts of fat will lead to the best results. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Extracting too much can lead to uneven surfaces, dimpling, and an aesthetically displeasing contour. Plastic surgeons generally remove a very small amount of fat, as it is the area where it is removed from which is more important than how much.
If you are disappointed following surgery because the number on the scale has not even so much as flickered a notch lower, pay attention to how clothes fit and how your overall body shape has improved. Liposuction is about shaping not weight loss. Likewise, removing too little fat can be a problem. Fortunately, it is better for surgeons to err to the side of conservatism rather than leaving a patient with unsightly dimples. More fat can always be removed with an additional procedure. The biggest concern when too little fat has been extracted is patient dissatisfaction. Many surgeons will perform a revision procedure at just the cost of hospital fees.
Another risk of expedited lipo is that the plastic surgeon can cause damage to the surrounding tissues. Some bruising will be natural and expected after the procedure, but excessive trauma can be the fault of poor technique. Moving the cannula (the hollow tube that extracts fat) incorrectly or simply moving it with too much force can create severe trauma within the patient. It can be difficult to discern whether the surgeon has made an error, or complications following the procedure are just due to the differences in individual healing processes. However, if you do feel there is something wrong or are in excessive pain, you should contact your surgeon or a doctor immediately as it could be a sign of a deeper issue.