AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving the contour and proportion of your body.

Liposculpture is a surgical procedure used to shape the silhouette to remove part of the fatty tissue from some areas of the body, especially the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck.

Liposuction is a treatment for body shaping or body sculpture. It is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also not an effective cellulite treatment, the dimpled skin that usually appears on the thighs, hips, and buttocks. Likewise, it is ineffective for treating flabby and loose skin.

Liposuction techniques can be used to reduce localized fat deposits of:
- Thighs
- Hips and buttocks
- Abdomen and waist
- Upper arms
- Back
- Inner thigh
- Chest
- Cheeks, chin and neck
- Calves and ankles

Liposuction can be performed alone or with other plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction, or tummy tuck. However, the greater the number of procedures, the longer the surgery will be, increasing the surgical risks; more significant and severe complications can occur.
Liposuction may be suitable for both men and women if you are bothered by excess fat deposits located anywhere on your body that do not respond to diet or exercise.
The ideal candidates for liposuction are:
- Adults with a BMI Body Mass Index (weight/height2) less than 30, that is, they are not obese, in addition to having firm and elastic skin and good muscle tone.
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening disease or medical conditions that may affect healing.
- People who are not smokers or have stopped smoking at least one month before surgery are committed to not smoking for three months after surgery.
- People with a positive outlook and specific goals to improve body contour.
During the consultation, we will discuss:
- Your surgical goals.
- Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments.
- Medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
- Previous surgeries.
- I will evaluate your general state of health and any pre-existing health condition or risk factor that can be modified to reduce surgical risks.
- Take photos.
- We will discuss your liposuction options.
- I will recommend a management and treatment plan before, during and after surgery.
- We will discuss the possible liposuction results and any risks or potential complications.
Before the surgery:
- Perform laboratory tests.
- As required, evaluation by anesthesiologists, your family doctor, internal medicine specialist, or others.
- Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications.
- Stop smoking at least one month before and three months after surgery.
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, as they can increase bleeding.
Liposuction must be performed in an accredited surgical center, a licensed ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.
Be sure to ask questions. Clarifying your doubts and concerns with your plastic surgeon about liposuction is essential. Feeling some anxiety associated with the surgery, the care before, during and after, and some pre-operative stress is natural. Do not hesitate to discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
Some other things to keep in mind:
1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Anesthesia is general; that is, you will be completely asleep. You will require an evaluation by an anesthesiologist and assess your health condition for anesthesia.

2 – The surgical incision or scars on the skin.
Liposuction is performed through small, discreet incisions. First, dilute local anesthesia or adrenalin is infused to reduce bleeding. A thin, hollow tube, or cannula, is then inserted through the incisions to soften the excess fat with a controlled back-and-forth motion; this may have an associated power source to aid in this process, either ultrasound, Vaser, Sonoca, laser, radiofrequency, etc. The dislodged fat is then suctioned from the body using a surgical vacuum or a syringe attached to the cannula.
3 – The results.
Changes in body contour will be evident once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced after liposuction subsides; this can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on each patient’s healing process. However, in the first week after surgery, the body moulding achieved is notorious, but with the persistence of inflamed areas, accumulated fluids, and colour changes. The continuous practices of a healthy diet and exercise favour the results permanently. However, substantial weight gain can permanently alter results in the long run.
Risks of Liposuction.
The decision to undergo liposuction is a highly personal one. It is essential to be clear about the risks and benefits of surgery before deciding whether the benefits will achieve their goals and whether the risks or possible complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and the risks and possible complications. In the Surgical Risks section, you will find these risks in greater detail; I suggest you read them and discuss them with me or my health team so that you are clear about them.
The risks include:
- Anesthesia risks.
- Bruises or discoloration of the skin.
- Change in skin sensation that may persist indefinitely.
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs, even requiring further surgery and extensive scarring.
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications.
- Fluid accumulation, seromas.
- Infection.
- Irregular contours or asymmetries.
- Irregular pigmentation.
- Need for revision surgery.
- Persistent swelling.
- Poor wound healing.
- Loose, flabby or wavy skin, worsening cellulite.
- Swelling.
- Thermal burn or heat injury due to friction, ultrasound, radio frequency, laser, or any energy source used to assist surgery.
These and other risks will be thoroughly discussed before surgery, and you should understand all of this before signing your consent. It is crucial to clarify all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
Sometimes secondary procedures may be required to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when suctioning large amounts, usually more than five litres of fat.

Recovery after liposuction.
Once your procedure is complete, a compression garment, girdle, or elastic bandages may cover the treatment areas. These help control swelling and compress the skin to the new contours of your body. In addition, small temporary drains can be placed in the existing incisions under the skin to remove any excess blood or fluid; I primarily use drains in the lower back or lumbosacral region, which I leave for the first few days.
You will receive specific instructions that include the following:
- How to care for the surgical site and drains.
- Medications to apply or take by mouth to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection.
- Specific signs to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, to immediately consult or contact the surgeon.
- When to make a follow-up or revision appointment with your plastic surgeon or health team.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what to expect during your recovery period:
Do I stay in the hospital or go home after the surgery?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
How long will I wear the compression garment?
Are the stitches removed? When?
When can I resume regular activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?
It may take several months for the swelling to dissipate or disappear altogether.
Results.
Improved body contour will be evident when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced after liposuction subsides, which can take several months after surgery.
Liposuction results will be long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and an adequate general physical condition. As your body ages, losing some firmness is natural, but most of the change should be relatively permanent.
In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and additional surgery, touch-up procedures or treatment may be necessary. It is not possible to improve lax skin tone with liposuction alone; this requires complementary treatments or the removal or trimming of the skin.
Following your doctor’s instructions is crucial to the success of your surgery. The surgical incisions mustn’t be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or movement during healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

Costs.
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. The cost of a surgeon’s liposuction can vary according to his experience, the type of procedure used, and especially the amount of liposuction required; for this reason, it is difficult to have a fixed rate; for this reason, a complete evaluation is needed that includes the physical examination. However, it is possible to make a tele-orientation appointment by synchronous video or asynchronous photos or videos to obtain a tentative budget. You can request your tele-orientation appointment by completing the online form https://drlopezrios.com/ and obtaining a tentative estimate.
The cost includes:
- Surgeon fee.
- Hospital or surgical facility costs.
- Anesthesia fees.
- Drug prescriptions.
- Postoperative garments or girdles.
- Medical tests or laboratory examination.
- Follow-up after surgery or postoperative period.
- Health policy in case of complications.
- Implants or medical devices to be implanted.
Most medical insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery or its complications.
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:
When choosing a plastic surgeon for liposuction, remember that the surgeon’s experience and the safety provided are more important than the final cost of the surgery.
Verify that the surgeon who will perform your surgery meets the following requirements.
- Complete surgical training after medical school with a plastic surgery residency.
- Graduated from an accredited medical school.
- Continuing medical education.
- Perform surgery in surgical facilities certified and approved by national government standards.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS Q&A.
Do I stay in the hospital or go home after the surgery?
Most liposuctions are ambulatory, meaning patients can go home for postoperative care.
When the surgeries are extensive, combined with other surgeries, or the amount of tissue aspirated is significant, patients continue to be monitored in the hospital to have close control of their health.
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Prescription medications include those to control pain, discomfort, or uncomfortable effects after surgery, such as nausea and vomiting. Medications to reduce the risk of thrombosis, especially in the lower limbs in high-risk patients. Antibiotics are generally used prophylactically and in the first 24 hours after surgery. Finally, topical creams and ointments are prescribed to care for and hydrate the skin and scars.
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
Yes, in the places where the surgery was incised, bandages and dressings will be applied to collect the drained fluids. Absorbent towels or diapers are indicated to retain those liquids eliminated by the ports or scars from the surgery.
How long will I wear the compression garment?
At least one month after surgery, the girdle should be used. It is possible to use softer girdles after the first month for greater comfort in the patients or to use them during the day or night intermittently during the first months.
Are the stitches removed? When?
The stitches are removed after the first week of surgery.
When can I resume regular activity and exercise?
One to two weeks is the average recovery time for patients to return to activities of daily living. Cardiovascular exercise was restarted at three weeks, and exercise with weights and higher intensity at six weeks.
When do I return for follow-up care?
The next day after surgery, patients return for follow-up and generally begin lymphatic drainage therapy procedures to reduce fluid accumulation and facilitate skin adherence to the deep planes, achieving a harmonious result. A week after surgery is the following medical control, then two weeks and a month after surgery.