Liposuction
Conveniently located to serve Fort Worth
Liposuction is a procedure performed to remove unwanted fat deposits from areas such as the abdomen, flanks, hips, back, bra line, arms, thighs, etc. It is performed with the use of small cannulas that are inserted under the skin via small poke holes.
Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
The best candidates for liposuction are individuals in good physical health who want to reduce stubborn fat. Liposuction is best for candidates with realistic expectations who have tried losing fat through exercise and dieting without satisfactory results.
You may be required to stop smoking 4 to 6 weeks before and after liposuction. This will help promote quick recovery from this minimally invasive treatment.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. If you are overweight, you should lose weight prior to having liposuction performed. You should be at a stable weight for at least 3-6 months before you have this procedure done.
The recommended BMI for lipo is at least 32. Patients for this treatment must achieve this BMI in order to avoid complications after the session.
People with cellulite, low skin elasticity, or keloid scarring may not be the best candidates for this treatment. An abundance of cellulite in the selected area or lax skin can result in a deflated effect after liposuction. Those with a history of keloid scars must be prepared to risk developing new keloids at the liposuction incision sites.
If you have excess skin and fat, liposuction alone is not the right procedure for you. You may need an abdominoplasty, arm lift, thigh lift, etc. Liposuction is one of the most common procedures performed for both men and women. The fat that is removed from one area can be transferred to other areas.
Your Liposuction Consultation
Dr. Lovelace will perform a personal consultation with you in her Fort Worth, TX office to determine whether liposuction is right for you. A liposuction consultation will involve a conversation about your appearance goals. Your complete medical history is needed to help Dr. Lovelace plan a safe lipo treatment for you. An assessment of your BMI will also be conducted.
Once Dr. Lovelace confirms your eligibility for the treatment, the ideal amount of fat to be removed will be discussed. You will be given instructions on how to prepare, and a date will be set for the surgery.
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I’m not sure there are really words out there that could ever express how I feel about Dr. Lovelace, her staff, and how I feel about my procedures. This has been a rough end of the year with medical and I have don’t my research probably more than most when it comes to cosmetic surgery and especially after finding two cysts in my breast that needed to be removed. Nevertheless, the minute I met Dr. Lovelace and how her staff I knew I wouldn’t go anywhere else. She was medically thorough, they treat you like family, and my results – let’s just say I’ll be bikini ready by summer and feel like a new woman!!!!! Thank you for everything! For those reading I had old implants removed, cysts removed that were done as a team with Dr. Towers, lipo on inner and out thighs, arms, and Botox (that’s a entirely another review because I have yet to find someone who could get this right and look natural – but I found it with Dr. Lovelace). Thank you again!!! One very happy client/patient!
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How much pain will I have?Moderate
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How much will it cost?
A price quote detailing the fees for the facility, anesthesia, any postoperative garments, and surgeon will be given at the consultation. Prices will vary depending on the time that is needed to do the procedure, and the areas that will be contoured. Dr. Lovelace will perform a personal consultation at her Fort Worth, TX office which is conveniently located to Southlake, Keller, Argyle and Mansfield to determine what the right procedure is for you.
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What is the hospital/surgery center time?
Surgery will be approximately 1-3 hours as determined on a case by case basis. Typically this is done as an outpatient procedure, but an overnight stay may be necessary and will be determined by the surgeon.
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What is the recovery?
Sutures that are placed are usually dissolvable and will not need to be removed. You will be placed in a compression garment after your surgery, and told to wear this at all times for 8 weeks, and then only at night as long as tolerated. You will be expected to start walking immediately after surgery to help reduce the risk of blood clots. On average patients return to light duty work a few days to a week after surgery. You will be able to return to non-strenuous activity approximately a week after surgery. Approximately 8 weeks after surgery, strenuous activity will be allowed without restrictions. Scars will flatten and fade between 3 months and 2 years after surgery.
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What medications should I take or avoid with my surgery?
You should not take any blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications for a week before your procedure, and you should hold all over the counter supplements a week before surgery. This will help reduce the risk of bleeding intraoperatively, and help reduce the risk of postoperative hematoma (collection of blood). If blood thinners are prescribed for you by your cardiologist or primary care physician, you should get clearance from them to hold these medications before they are discontinued. You should hold all hormones 6 weeks before surgery. Birth control pills should be held 6 weeks before surgery as well. Of course you should make sure to use alternative forms of birth control during and after this time. Hormones and birth control pills put you at a higher risk of blood clots. These clots can go to your lungs and cause serious illness or even death. We call this a pulmonary embolus. Steroids should be weaned off at least a month before your surgery, and this weaning process should be set up and cleared by your prescribing physician. Dr. Lovelace and the staff will go through your list of medication, and let you know what exactly you need to do with those medications preoperatively. Make sure that you bring all of your medications with you to your consultation at their Fort Worth, TX office. You will usually be given your prescriptions for your postoperative medication on your preoperative visit so that they can be filled and at your house when you get home from surgery.
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Will I need clearances from any other physicians?
Depending on your age and medical issues, Dr. Lovelace and her staff will set you up with your primary care physician, cardiologist, etc. for clearance prior to your surgery. At that time any necessary labs, EKGs, or chest x-rays will be done.
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What are the risks?
The risks of liposuction includes bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma, seroma, need for further intervention, asymmetry, poor cosmesis, failure to obtain desired results, contour irregularities, nerve/vessel/muscle injury, numbness, skin/fat necrosis, cyst formation, over correction, under correction, dehiscence, significant bruising, intra-abdominal/intrathoracic injury, loose skin, bowel injury, cannula fragmentation, cardiac/pulmonary/stroke/DVT/PE events, death, etc.
If you have additional questions about the liposuction procedure please contact our Fort Worth office which is conveniently located to Southlake, Keller, Argyle and Mansfield to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lovelace.