Liposuction in Newport Beach, Orange County CA

How can I prepare for Liposuction surgery?

As for any surgery, a patients’ health and well-being is our main priority. We require that patients who are undergoing surgery be healthy with normal lab work (your labs will be performed within 2 weeks of surgery). Furthermore, Dr. Bandy provides patients with a vitamin protocol to being before surgery to aid in the recovery and healing process. During your consultation 2 weeks before surgery, our staff will thoroughly review with you all important information that needs to be completed prior to surgery in order to ensure the best outcome and easiest recovery possible.

Will anesthesia be administered for Liposuction surgery?

Yes, the procedure will be performed under a general anesthetic.

Is Liposuction surgery painful?

A bruising period can last for several weeks and is not uncommon for bruising to last for a month. Pain can be controlled by medication that is prescribed at the time of the patients pre-operative appointment usually 1-2 weeks prior to a patients scheduled surgical date

What if I am sick before my Liposuction procedure?

If a patient is noted to be sick prior to a procedure, it is advised to contact Dr. Bandy’s office immediately to discuss the best way to move forward.

How long before I see results of Liposuction?

Results of liposuction typically take at least 4-6 weeks (and possibly longer) to be seen, as swelling and discoloration take time to resolve.

Is scarring expected after Liposuction surgery?

Typically incision sites for liposuction are extremely small and are hidden in natural folds or inconspicuous areas of the body. Incisions typically heal well and scarring is minimal.

Can I drive home after my Liposuction surgery?

If you are having surgery under a general anesthetic, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery.

Should I try avoiding touching the area after Liposuction surgery?

After surgery it is advised to avoid touching the incision areas as they will be covered with steri-strips.

What activity should I refrain from after Liposuction Surgery?

Following liposuction, patients are advised to try to avoid placing direct pressure on the buttocks area. Patients are also advised to limit going up and down stairs to once a day for 2 weeks. While climbing stairs, you are to do it slowly, one step at a time. DO NOT stay in bed or be sedentary for prolonged periods of time as this increases your risk of blood clots. Do not over exert yourself. Avoid strenuous activity and exertional exercise for at least 3 weeks. No lifting over 5 pounds for 2 weeks.

Do I need to take any medication after Liposuction Surgery?

A patient is usually prescribed an antibiotic and a pain medication. If a patient is undergoing a general anesthesia, sometimes they are prescribed an anti-nausea medication to combat any feelings of nausea that some patients experience after having a general anesthesia.

What is the average cost for Liposuction?

The cost of liposuction depends on how many areas are being treated and the complexity of the case. In order to obtain an accurate price for your surgery we advise meeting with Dr. Bandy for a consultation.

Are there financing options for Liposuction?

The patient has multiple financing options. For example, the patient can pay for the surgery on credit card, and make monthly payments back to their credit card. Additionally, CareCredit is a financing company specific for cosmetic surgery; patients can apply for CareCredit, and there are multiple options for CareCredit. Sometimes, patients opt to make payments directly to the office. This is a prepayment plan where a patient would pay until he or she pays the entire balance for the surgery; then, they would have their surgery.

What is the recovery time and the healing process?

Patients that undergo a liposuction procedure are usually required to wear a specialty compression garment for several weeks to achieve maximum results. These garments provide firm compression and support to suctioned areas, also allowing for skin retraction to optimize final body contour. The garments used are required to be worn on a continuous basis day and night, however will be removed for bathing. Dr. Bandy does provide these garments for her patients, however additional garment purchase is recommended and can be purchased at an additional cost from our office. The amount of time a patient is required to wear this specialty garment is determined by Dr. Bandy and varies depending on the area(s) that are treated, how much fatty tissue is suctioned and how the patient is healing. Recovery is dependent on which area(s) are being suctioned as well as if multiple areas are suctioned simultaneously. Patients should expect significant bruising to certain areas of the body. A bruising period can last for several weeks and is not uncommon for bruising to last for a month. Pain can be controlled by medication that is prescribed at the time of the patients pre-operative appointment usually 1-2 weeks prior to a patients scheduled surgical date.

Is there a post-operative recovery facility that you recommend?

We do have a post operative recovery facility that we refer our patients to in Orange County, CA and Los Angeles, CA. In these situations, they will be picked up by the post operative care facility from our recovery room and brought to the recovery center where they are recovered overnight, and then brought back the next day for their follow up appointment.

Q: How does Liposuction work?

A: Liposuction is performed with a patient under general anesthesia. Traditional liposuction is performed by making small incisions that are often less than 1/4 of an inch in length. If possible, incisions will be placed in the natural fold of a patient’s body, in pubic hair or inside the belly button. Once matured and with proper post surgical care, scars are small and hardly noticeable. A small canella is then inserted into the incision that was made. As the surgeon makes slow passes to remove fat beneath the skin’s surface, the body area being targeted is infused with a solution that helps break up fat and helps with the removal process. The surgeon must make slow, detailed maneuvers as this is when the surgeon is contouring and shaping the figure. This is where the surgeon becomes the artist and it is essential that a patient feel comfortable that both the surgeon and the patient share the same vision.

Q: Is Liposuction safe?

A: As with any surgical procedure, liposuction carries risks. With our patients’ safety being our number one priority, Dr. Bandy strictly adheres to recommendations placed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery stating that 5 liters should be the maximum amount of aspirate (fluid, fat and blood) that is removed during any liposuction procedure. Patients requesting a total volume reduction of greater than 5 liters would need to have a second liposuction procedure to accommodate their requests. Prior to a procedure, a patient answers a thorough health and family health history questionnaire to determine if a patient is more at risk for certain post surgical complications such as blood clotting. Patient blood samples are also sent to pathology for certain testing to determine if the patient can sustain a procedure like liposuction. All precautions are taken to ensure that the patient have a pleasant experience with the best results possible.

Q: What areas of the body can be improved with liposuction?

A: Areas of liposuction performed for men and women are generally the abdomen, hips, flanks, inner and outer thighs, arms, chin (submental), bra area and the pubic area. For men with projecting breast tissue, liposuction can also be performed to remove unwanted breast tissue that has formed. Other less common areas of liposuction include calves, forearms and the fatty area directly above the tailbone.

Q: Will the fat grow back with weight gain?

A: This is a question that until answered correctly, sometimes haunts patients. No, this fat will not grow back. Humans are born with a number of fat cells which are not able to be reproduced with growth or aging. Each individual cell can grow bigger or smaller with weight gain or weight loss, but there will never be an instance where someone grows additional fat cells. A patient that continues with an improper diet and no exercise can still gain weight as each fat cell that remains can still significantly expand, however some patients notice that areas that once stayed small with weight gain might now expand. The fat that is accumulated with weight gain still needs to be stored somewhere, and with fat cells in areas treated with liposuction no longer being present, new fat is forced to be stored in the fat cells that remain. This is why it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle after any liposuction treatment.

Q: Can Liposuction Treat Cellulite?

A: Many patients have the misconception that with the removal of fat, cellulite will no longer exist in the treated area. Any area present of cellulite that is treated with liposuction may show signs of improvement, however it is not always the case. Cellulite is formed by fibrous tissue within the body that is interwoven through tissue and fat. Cellulite appearance can be improved with diet and exercise, but can change with puberty, metabolism, diet, exercise, weight loss, weight gain, and fluctuation in skin laxity. There is no proven treatment to correct cellulite. However, there have been several advances in the aesthetic industry and there are options which have been shown to improve the appearance of cellulite. These options may be discussed at the time of a pre or post operative consultation with Dr. Bandy and/or her staff as our office does provide SmartWave therapy to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Q: What about my husband’s protruding “beer belly”?

A: Typically, any fat that is on an upper abdomen that is hard to the touch is only controllable through diet and exercise. This fat is untreatable with liposuction because this fat is under the abdominal muscle and is not situated directly under the dermis. This fat is unreachable and is too closely surrounded by organs. Don’t lose faith, this area will shrink in size with a proper diet and a well maintained exercise program.

Q: Why does the pricing for liposuction vary so much?

A: Liposuction surgery time can vary considerably, it depends on the area of your body and the amount of fat being removed, the technique used and the type of anesthesia.