If you’ve been thinking about liposuction lately, you are not alone. Kim Kardashian had it on her mind too. Whether you are considering Chin Lipo or a Mini Tummy Tuck or any other procedure, many others are too. And it’s not only the housewives from the Bravo network getting nipped and tucked. The New York Post recently ran an article with the headline, “New Yorkers flock to plastic surgeons as pandemic ends.”

As the Post points out, “New Yorkers are facing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, and it isn’t pretty — prompting them to flock to plastic surgeons to get ready for a summer of fewer masks, more socializing and a return to the office.”

But let’s be frank, Liposuction is a very personal decision to be made with your significant other, and your physician, and it shouldn’t have to be explained to anyone. Last year, during the pandemic, many departed from healthy ways and put on a few unwanted pounds. Even after dieting a stubborn body part won’t go away no matter how much we try.

Thankfully Lipo surgery removes excess fat in a few hours and is done as an outpatient procedure. Just ask Kim Kardashian, Susan Sarandon, Jane Fonda, Sharon Osbourne, NeNe Leakes, Kyle Richards, Mariah Carey, Wendy Williams and the list goes on! Lipo can treat the chin, neck, abdomen, upper arms, chest and back, buttocks, hips and thighs, calves, ankles, cellulite, gynecomastia (man breasts).

Here are things to consider.

What to expect before procedure

• Medical history is reviewed as part of preoperative evaluation, and certain lab/imaging tests might be ordered.
• Provide a list of all current medications. The doctor might ask to discontinue them around two weeks before the procedure.
• Follow any other instructions provided such as fasting for a few hours before surgery.

What to expect during procedure

• One of the different techniques such as tumescent liposuction, ultrasound- assisted liposuction (UAL) or laser- assisted liposuction (LAL) may be used.
• A general or local anesthesia is given.
• An incision is made and vacuum is used to suction the fat using a thin tube called a cannula.
• Some procedures use sound waves or laser to liquefy the fat before suctioning.

What to expect after procedure

• The patient is moved to a recovery room and is monitored for a couple of hours. Most patients are allowed to go home on the same day.
• Bruising, swelling, or soreness is seen after the procedure.
• Follow the instructions for incision care and activity restrictions. Keep the incision clean and dry. Avoid lifting heavy weights and strenuous activities.
• Compression garments may have to be worn to control swelling.

Risks and Complications

• Problems with anesthesia
• Infection at the site of incision
• Bleeding
• Injury to internal organ
• Fat embolism
• Seroma
• Bumpy/wavy appearance of skin, loss of skin elasticity

The procedure is not done in patients of heart disease, diabetics, or patients with weak immune system.