Liposuction Surgery FAQs

Q. What should someone considering tumescent liposuction surgery know about possible side effects?

A: When you decide to have liposuction, there is every possibility that you will be very happy with your surgery, recover quickly, and go back to your job and regular activities. But it might take you a little longer than you expect. You might have some persistent soreness, irregular skin tone, an indentation here or there, or some darkening of the insertion scars [see chapter thirteen]. There are many other things that can happen, and you have to be willing to accept the possibility that they might occur and you might have to deal with them.

Q: Is it important to have exact figures on the cost of the surgery? Do you always have to pay the full amount in advance?

A: It is very important for patients to know what the procedure costs, regardless of their income level, and to be aware of any additional costs or services that may be required during the liposuction recovery period. It's just like anything else in life. You don't want to have an unpleasant surprise. In most offices, the procedure must be paid for in full before the surgery is performed. If you need help, you can sometimes put the cost on your credit card and pay it off overtime, or you can sometimes get a loan from a financing company. Some people prefer to wait until they have saved up me cost on their own. The office staff can advise you on these matters.

Q: Should you ask the doctor what will happen if you are not satisfied with your results?

A: You should ask, but you have to be specific about what you mean. Is it that you wanted more removed and you're not happy about that? Or do you mean that there is an asymmetry in your body after surgery? Or are you unhappy because the results are not exactly what you imagined they would be?

Surgeons can sometimes go back and remove more fat from an area if not enough was removed. Or they can remove more from one side if the results are not well balanced. But if you have your thighs done and then see that your hips also need to be done, that will be a whole new procedure that you might want to have done in the future.

Q: Is it a good Idea to consult family members and dose friends to get their opinions? What If a dose family member is against the surgery or is pressuring you to have it?

A: Whether or not you want to consult family members and friends is a personal decision. But if a family member is cautioning you not to have liposuction, make sure you understand the reasons why. It could be that they think there's a risk involved and that you should not take a chance with an elective procedure. Or it could be that they like you the way you are and think you don't need any fat removed. If you know in your heart that you want me procedure, you should not mind explaining to your family member why you want it done and how much better you will feel afterward. Hopefully you will then get that person's support.

But if someone in your family is pressuring you to have liposuction that is a different matter. In such a case, you should think twice about going ahead, and if you have already seen a physician and not mentioned this, you should.

The final decision has to come from deep within the patient, from their own personal feelings and beliefs and how they want to handle their own body and their own life. If they are in a relationship with someone who places a great importance on appearance, that relationship needs a lot more than some fat removal. Liposuction, or any surgery, does not fix personal problems.