What to Expect:

Liposuction

Serving Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania
including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, State College, and Danville

Before Your Liposuction Procedure

Once you have decided that liposuction is the perfect solution for you, and you’ve chosen one or more areas to target, it is time to prepare for your surgery date. During your comprehensive liposuction consultation, your Geisinger cosmetic surgeon will fill you in on all the details of your procedure.

You should prepare yourself for realistic results by viewing before and after photos, discussing all concerns with your doctor, and talking to others who’ve had liposuction performed. Make sure you divulge all relevant health history and current health information with your doctor to ensure maximum safety. Your plastic surgeon will also go over all risks and side effects associated with liposuction before your surgery day.

During Your Liposuction Appointment

Depending on the amount of fat being removed, the liposuction technique chosen, and the size and number of areas treated, you should plan on being in surgery anywhere from 2 – 5 hours. Your experienced physician will begin by injecting a safe tumescent solution (containing saline, adrenaline and lidocaine to stiffen fat cells for easy removal) into the treatment area, and then the fat removal process begins.

Liposuction is performed with the help of a cannula, a hand-held rod that is used to target specific fat cells for careful removal. The cannula is attached to a pump, allowing your physician to quickly and smoothly remove these unwanted cells. After the desired volume of fat is taken out, the incisions are stitched up and the area is gently bandaged. Patients may opt for either local or general anesthesia.

Liposuction patients can choose from the tumescent or ultrasonic techniques to achieve the right results:

• Tumescent (Standard) Liposuction Technique - Tumescent is the most popular liposuction technique used at The Cosmetics Program. The tumescent solution is injected into the area to be treated, causing fat deposits to swell (tumesce) and stiffen. A small incision is made, and a cannula is inserted for fat removal. Patients choose tumescent liposuction because it is associated with less bleeding, less bruising and quicker healing. Stitches are used to sew up the incision sites.

• Ultrasonic Liposuction Technique - Like the tumescent technique, tumescent fluid is injected into the treatment site to help loosen the fat cells. A small incision is made, and a cannula is used for fat removal. Different from tumescent liposuction, an ultrasound machine is used to guide the cannula in breaking up fat significantly before it is removed. The cells are broken down using sound wave energy, effectively melting the fat for easy removal. Stitches are then used to seal the incision sites.

After Your Liposuction Surgery

After the liposuction procedure, patients will experience certain side effects as the healing process takes its course. Potential side effects may include:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Temporary numbness
• Nausea/vomiting
• Temporary contour imperfections

Visit our Liposuction Risks page for more information on potential side effects.

You will wear a bandage over the treated area, removing and re-bandaging as directed by your doctor. Swelling, bruising and other side effects will vary with each individual. Keep in mind that it may take several months to truly appreciate the full liposuction results.

Results of your liposuction will become more apparent as the swelling goes down. Most people see their final results after about three or four months.

Stop stressing about excess fat in the tummy, thighs, and hips. Call or E-Mail the liposuction team at The Cosmetics Program today for custom body sculpting results. If you’re in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, State College, or Danville, schedule your confidential cosmetic surgery consultation.

Practice Areas

• Breast Surgery
• Body Sculpturing
• Facial Procedures
• Vision Correction

Questions? Ask Us

Cosmetics Program