How to Prepare for Liposuction

How to Prepare for Liposuction
Though liposuction has become a common procedure for anyone wishing to eliminate stubborn deposits of fat that seem oblivious to diet or exercise, it is important to remember that liposuction is still surgery. Prospective patients can eliminate much of the anxiety associated with surgery by learning the basics of the process beforehand. This page serves as a primer for the procedure, providing information on what to expect and how to prepare for liposuction.

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Schedule a Consultation with a Liposuction Surgeon
To prepare for liposuction surgery, your doctor will require you to meet for an in-depth planning session. During the meeting, you will discuss the entire procedure, its risks and limitations, and all steps you need to take prior to the operation. Your doctor will give you details about the kind of anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the liposuction procedure will take place, the costs involved, and any medications or supplies you will need to pick up beforehand.

You and your doctor will also discuss your medical history and lifestyle to determine your risk during liposuction surgery. You will be asked about the drugs you are currently taking (prescription, over the counter, recreational, or herbal supplements), whether or not you smoke or take oral contraceptives, and any medical conditions you may have. It is crucial that you are honest with your doctor about any drugs you are taking, as this can greatly affect the outcome of your surgery.

Remember: this is your opportunity to ask any lingering questions you may have, or to express your anxieties or concerns about liposuction.

Two Weeks Prior to Liposuction Surgery
Two weeks prior to your liposuction surgery you should stop taking all forms of aspirin, as well as any medication and vitamins that could interfere with your blood’s clotting ability. If you smoke, you should attempt to stop for at least two weeks before liposuction.

The Day before the Liposuction Procedure
Be sure to properly prepare for liposuction surgery by packing loose and comfortable clothing, getting adequate sleep the night before, and arranging a ride home.

The Day of Liposuction Surgery
When you arrive for liposuction surgery, you will be asked to sign a consent form that ensures your understanding of the risks, benefits, possible outcomes, and all liposuction alternatives prior to the procedure.

Although the methods required to prepare for liposuction can vary doctor to doctor, your physician will likely draw on your skin to mark the areas to be treated, take a “before” picture to compare with your results after liposuction, and provide you with a dressing gown to change into before surgery.

If you are undergoing general anesthesia, you will be required not to eat or drink anything for at least six hours before surgery (this prevents you from developing an upset stomach while under anesthesia). For more details about the liposuction procedure, see our full section on liposuction surgery