Liposuction - Related FAQ's

Q: Will I definitely have dark spots after liposuction and if I do, will they go away?

A: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a condition that is not uncommon in some patients. It can happen to any one regardless of skin color, but may happen more commonly in asian skin and skin of color. Sometimes hormonal influences make it worse as does sun exposure. The insertion site of the cannula used in liposuction may make dark spots even if the scar is a fine almost imperceptible line, the pigment of the skin around the scar can be very bothersome to people. It can take more than a year to go away and sometimes it doesn’t fade. Lightening creams may help, and sometimes laser such as Alexandrite, neodymium-yag or Fraxel™ restore laser treatment may help, but they can make it worse too! Insertion scars are purposely placed as close to less visible regions but this is not always possible.

Q: I am interested in liposuction but when I saw a video of the procedure I saw yellow fat in a tube that got pulled into a vacuum. It looks gross. Is that how it works?

A: Yes, liposuction uses a cannula which is a hollow rod that has a blunt, not sharp tip, that has an opening through which the negative pressure of the aspirator (vacuum) pulls the fat. It is a gentle way of fat removal and most patients are very comfortable with the local tumescent anesthetic.

Q: Can I have liposuction after abdominal surgery?

A: Usually, as long as there is no evidence of hernia, liposuction is done very well despite having had gall bladder removal, C-section or other abdominal surgery. There is extra attention given to suctioning underneath the insertion scars to make sure the skin doesn’t stay bound down to the muscle (as it often appears after the abdominal surgery ) so that after the liposuction there is a smoother result.

Q: I have an indented crease on my waist after liposuction from my compression garment. Is this permanent?

A: Compression garments may leave a crease temporarily for up to several days to a week or more once the garment is discontinued. One should not continue to wear the garment if it becomes very painful and you should see your surgeon to evaluate the condition.

Q: I am thinking about liposuction before my vacation next month so I look good in a bikini. Is this smart?

A: One month is not enough time to have the swelling recede and the insertion sites will still be red in color probably. You may have some temporary darkening from pigment and there will still be improvement in contour for as much as six months after liposuction.

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