Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, liposculpture suction, lipectomy, or lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and “sucks” fat from the body. Liposuction has been one of the most popular and top performed cosmetic procedures for many years, and with good reason. This surgical procedure safely, effectively, and permanently reduces fat and refines the body’s contours. Having said that, like any surgically invasive procedure, you need to spend some downtime recovering and healing, and there is always a risk of abnormal scars. Fortunately, these scars might be minimized and treated with a clinically-proven solution.
Read on to learn more about liposuction procedure/scars, recovery and discovering an effective solution for post-operative car management.
What is liposuction?
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) states that liposuction is a surgical fat removal procedure that first became popular in the 1980s. During the procedure, a board certified cosmetic surgeon carefully and precisely removes excess fat through a small, hollow tube called a cannula. Suction is applied as the surgeon moves the cannula through the fat deposit, removing excess fat cells and sculpting a slimmer body contour. Liposuction is particularly effective at removing fat in the legs, abdomen, back, arms, face, and neck.
However, it is noticed that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite—the dimpled skin that typically appears on the thighs, hips and buttocks—or loose saggy skin.
Will I have scars after liposuction?
According to Healthline, significant scarring after liposuction is uncommon. An certified plastic surgeon have experience and know what to do during liposuction to minimize scarring afterward.
Ideally, your surgeon will make your incisions as small as possible and place them where they are least noticeable. When scarring does occur, it can be the result of poor incision placement during the liposuction procedure.
Some patients who are prone to abnormal scarring may develop keloids or hypertrophic scars as a result of their liposuction surgery.
Hyperpigmentation, another side effect of liposuction, according to PubMed, can also cause the incision to look more prominent on your skin after it heals.
Post-liposuction recovery and scar management
Compared to noninvasive fat reduction procedures, liposuction has a longer recovery period (up to six weeks).
To make the healing process as smooth as possible, your cosmetic surgeon may prescribe you antibiotics to minimize risk of infection and pain killers to ease discomfort. After liposuction procedure, the cosmetic surgeon may instruct you to wear compression garments over the area where they removed the fat deposits. Wearing these garments correctly and according to your doctor’s instructions can decrease your risk of having scars from the procedure.
To address post-liposuctionscarring such as keloids and hypertropic scars, topical silicone gel should be applied. Silicone gel technology is a clinically-proven treatment option for reducing the abnormal scars with over 30 years of evidence to support its safety and effectivenes. Silicone gel is recommended as the first-line topical scar treatment option by physicians, surgeons, and scar management experts. Silicone gel increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production, which results into softer and flatter scar. It allows skin to “breathe”. Additionally, silicone gel protects the scarred tissue from bacterial invasion and prevents bacteria-induced excessive collagen production in the scar tissue.
DTP Medical supplies the high quality silicone-based scar products such as Nourisil™ MD, Bapscarcare Gel, Bapscarcare Sheet. Ask your doctor which therapy option is right for you.
You don’t have to live with unwanted scarring. Try silicone-based scar products supplied by us today and see the difference!