What to Expect with Liposuction

Liposuction is a type of plastic surgery that was developed in the 60s and 70s to address a population that was steadily gaining an unhealthy amount of fat. Most everyone, then and now, was prescribed healthier foods and more exercise by doctors to achieve the bodies they wanted, but that simply isn’t enough for everyone. Every body is different, and because of that, one body may have different needs than another body, and may respond differently to diet and exercise. Making it even more difficult, not being able to get into the shape that you want can cause stress for some people, and that can make losing fat harder than it already is. If you’re having a difficult time losing fat from your body, a liposuction treatment such as Aqualipo may be for you.

As a general rule, ideal candidates for liposuction have a BMI of 30 and under. Patients with a BMI of 30-40 also qualify for liposuction but may achieve better results with a tummy tuck or by first reducing their weight.

Weeks Before the Procedure

Whatever you ultimately decide where liposuction is concerned, you should always begin with a trip to your doctor. You probably consulted your doctor before you got started on your original weight loss exercise program, but liposuction should be a separate conversation. Your doctor will need to evaluate you to determine why liposuction is the right procedure for you. Certain people with chronic conditions and other issues may not be able to tolerate what is involved in undergoing liposuction. Making sure that you have your doctor’s approval before going through with the procedure is the best way to protect your health. After your doctor gives you the okay to move forward with liposuction, it’s time to schedule your consultation with your surgeon. Your surgeon will answer your questions, ask their own, and double-check that liposuction is a viable option for you.

Right Before the Procedure

You will have already been referred to the department responsible for financing your procedure, and have entered an agreement for the payment for services. Your surgeon will most likely restrict you from having certain foods or drinks a couple of hours before the procedure. Traditional liposuction will usually involve the use of general anesthesia, which can slow digestion and carries other risks. If going under general anesthesia concerns you, you may be eligible for a procedure that uses only local anesthesia and IV sedation, meaning it carries lower risk. Aqualipo works similarly to liposuction but uses the gentle power of water versus physical force. Because it is so minimally-invasive, it also results in minimal scarring. The doctor will use a cannula with a suction apparatus to remove excess fatty tissue from your body over the course of a couple of hours. You may feel some discomfort during the procedure, but the pain won’t be excruciating.

Right After the Procedure

After a couple of hours your procedure will be finished and you’ll be missing quite a bit of fat. Depending on the level of IV sedation you will feel woozy and may need assistance moving here and there. Patients are advised to bring a friend or family member as a driver. After 24 hours, you should have most, if not all, of your mobility back. Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve after a couple of days. You’ll be advised to refrain from heavy exercise for 1-2 weeks but you’ll see results from your liposuction immediately, and you’ll finally have a chance to move forward with the body you want.


Each patient is unique. What your treatment will look like is determined by you and the plastic surgeon who you will meet with in a personal consultation.