What to Expect While You’re Recovering from Liposuction

Bloomfield Hills, MI – A fast and dramatic procedure, liposuction is gaining popularity worldwide. And it’s no wonder: you can lose the fat that diet and exercise alone weren’t able to eliminate. But what happens when you get home? How do you achieve the best possible outcome from your procedure? Award-winning plastic surgeon, Dr. Ali, of Amae Plastic Surgery Center, sheds some light on the matter.

“First and foremost, before you have liposuction, be sure to consult with your doctor about the post-operative care you’ll need,” advises the Detroit-based surgeon. “Be sure to ask any and all questions you have, including whether or not you’ll have stitches, where to get the appropriate compression garments, and how long your recovery is expected to take. As always, communication is key.”

What are the first steps after my liposuction?

Depending on whether you’ve had general or local anesthesia, you’ll likely be out of the medical center 30 minutes to a few hours after your procedure. You’ll want someone who can drive you home, and then you’ll need time to rest in a comfortable environment. Expect to be sore and swollen after the anesthesia wears off.

Sometimes, you will be given pain medication for comfort and possibly antibiotics to prevent infection. It’s also important to walk as soon as you can after the surgery, as this will help prevent blood clots in your legs and lungs. While you should avoid vigorous exercise for a few weeks still, it’s important to keep your circulation going strong.

How long does it take to heal?

“If you’ve had just a small area treated, you should be feeling all right in a day or two. The bruising can last for a little while, usually a few days, and swelling sometimes lasts several weeks or months,” says Dr. Ali. “Luckily, most people can go back to work or school very soon after surgery.”

Of course, recovery times vary significantly from patient to patient. Although bruising and swelling are common at first, you will likely be back to your routine activities within a week or two. You may be surprised that you can jog, golf, and do light exercise fairly shortly after liposuction. After a month or so, you should be feeling back to normal. You can expect to see your final results in one to six months after liposuction after your body has adapted to your slimmer shape.

If at any time in your recovery you feel extreme pain or discomfort, have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or notice any signs of infection like fever or excessive swelling, it’s important to contact your doctor right away. “Though liposuction is now a common procedure, it is still a surgery, and all surgeries have risks,” says Dr. Ali. “It’s important that you communicate any problems to your surgeon immediately so that you receive the best care possible.”

Compression Garments

For the short-term, you’ll need to wear a compression garment to maintain the new contour created by your doctor. This clothing helps your body adapt to its new tissue and reduces looseness in your skin. Such compression also helps reduce swelling, which will speed up your healing process. Expect to wear your garment at least a month after surgery.

Long-Term Care

In the months and years to come, you’ll want to maintain your new body weight as best as you can. While liposuction removes existing fat, it cannot prevent you from gaining new fat cells. Thus, it’s crucial to keep a healthy lifestyle with consistent exercise and a good diet.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has an entire area of their website devoted to liposuction. You can also consult the Food and Drug Administration for more information.

The Final Word on Healing Properly from Liposuction

With liposuction, you can have great control over how your body looks and feels. Since this procedure is very commonly done, you can have a good idea of what to expect after talking with your doctor.

To learn more about liposuction or any other plastic surgery procedure, schedule an appointment with Bloomfield Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. M. Azhar Ali today.

© 2017 Millionairium and Dr. Ali. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Dr. Ali are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

10 Factors That Ensure You’ll Be Happy With Your Plastic Surgery Results

Bloomfield Hills, MI – So you’ve decided it’s time: you’re going to have plastic surgery. Be it for reconstruction, augmentation, or a confidence boost, you want to make sure the procedure is done perfectly. But how do you know you’ll be happy with the results?

Dr. Ali of Amae Plastic Surgery Center in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, explains, “When you’re searching for the right surgeon for you, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, you as the patient ultimately have the final say in who helps you attain your desired results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and make sure you have each one answered to your full satisfaction.”

Part of Dr. Ali’s professional philosophy is dedicated to patients’ education. “I want to be sure that each patient understands exactly what his or her procedure entails. I approach each case as a unique set of circumstances, and always strive for the best possible outcome.” In addition to Dr. Ali’s advice, read on to find a few more points to help you enjoy the best experience possible.

How to Ensure You’ll Be Happy with Your Plastic Surgery Results

  1. Board Certification. First and foremost, make sure your doctor is board-certified; not all plastic surgeons are. Board-certified surgeons complete rigorous training and participate in ongoing education. If you really want to do your homework, you can even verify your doctor’s certification.
  2. Experience. Be sure your doctor has his or her own before and after photos. Ask for testimonials from former patients. Is the surgeon an expert in the procedure(s) you’re having done?
  3. Records and reviews. With the marvels of the internet, you can now read reviews of your doctor, find the office’s hours and location, and look for any records filed by state medical boards.
  4. Anesthesia, if applicable. If your procedure requires anesthesia, where will it be performed? Who will administer the anesthesia? Make sure the anesthesiologists are board-certified, and that you will be in a facility with proper monitoring devices and emergency equipment.
  5. Hospital admitting privileges. Should you need to go to a hospital for your plastic surgery, make sure your surgeon is able to admit you into an accredited hospital. You can always call the hospital to check if you’re unsure. Otherwise, be sure that your doctor’s in-office operating suite is accredited properly. You can check the American Association for Accreditation for Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) for more details.
  6. Information. Be certain your surgeon completely answers all questions. You might ask questions proposed by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Examples include: “What did your training for this procedure entail?” or “How many times have you performed this surgery?”
  7. Customer service. Bedside manner matters, and so does your experience with every member of the surgeon’s office. Make sure you’re treated respectfully and professionally. You should feel comfortable with the surgeon, and trust is essential.
  8. Know the difference. Cosmetic surgery is a branch of plastic surgery, so knowing what kind of procedure you want can help you decide what kind of surgeon you want. Plastic surgery focuses on fixing defects to restore or enhance function and appearance. Examples are breast reconstruction, cleft palate repair, and scar revision surgery. Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, aims solely to enhance overall appearance (and not function). Examples include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and Botox injections.
  9. Cost. Is your procedure all-inclusive, taxes and all? Does it include post-op care? What is the cost for additional surgeries, if needed? The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery’s pricing calculator can help you understand what prices to expect.
  10. Expectations. What are you expecting from your plastic surgery procedure? Dr. Ali ensures that all patients have realistic expectations by discussing all possibilities during the initial consultation. While the acclaimed surgeon does do his best to manage expectations, he still strives to provide all his patients with true life changing results.

To learn more about all the plastic surgery options available and to ensure you have the best experience possible, contact Dr. Ali today to schedule an appointment.

© 2017 Millionairium and Dr. Ali. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Dr. Ali are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.

plastic surgery MI

How to Preserve Your Plastic Surgery As You Age

Bloomfield Hills, MI – Plastic surgery is a rapidly growing field; there are millions of procedures performed annually in the U.S. alone. But as most techniques have been established just in the past 50 years, effects down the line may still be uncertain for many who’ve gone under the knife.

How can you best maintain the work you’ve had done? Detroit-area plastic surgeon Dr. M. Azhar Ali gives his take. “First things first: You should really do your homework when choosing a surgeon. Is he or she board-certified? Experienced? Easily accessible? Patient when answering your questions? What follow-up work, if any, will you need? What is the long-term outlook for your procedure?” Assuming you’ve already had surgery, read on to see what you can do and expect in the years to come.

Talk with Your Doctor

Depending on what you’ve had done, be sure you know how long the results are expected to last. Dr. Ali explains, “Gravity and time always take their tolls on everyone. Be sure you have a long-term care plan to determine what steps you want to take when inevitable changes happen. Ask your surgeon what to expect, and how to best deal with the aftermath of your procedure. For example, facelifts can easily be augmented later on with fillers.”

Results Vary by Type

Just as each patient is unique, so is each plastic surgery procedure. Breast implants typically last 10-20 years, depending on the materials used and the specific location of the insertions. A properly done rhinoplasty (nose job) should last a lifetime, though the skin on the nose still needs to be taken care of. After a facelift, touch-ups are common after about 7-10 years. Your outcome will depend on a variety of factors, including age, overall health, and the type of procedures done.

Care for Yourself Properly

Whether you’ve had breast augmentation, a facelift, liposuction, or other work, it’s crucial to take care of yourself after surgery. “Though it sounds cliché, it really is important to eat well, drink lots of water, and exercise when you’ve recovered from your procedure,” advises Dr. Ali.

Many people assume liposuction is a permanent fix, but it requires maintenance. “After liposuction of the abdomen or thighs, it’s not uncommon for patients to gain weight elsewhere, like the arms or back,” Dr. Ali notes. “It’s best to consult with your surgeon about post-care plans, in order to keep your new self in the best shape possible. Good skin care and weight regulation go a long way in post-surgery preservation.” Keeping your weight stable after fat-reducing surgeries can prevent further stretching and sagging; it will allow your skin to stay elastic and healthy for a long time to come.

Smoking has a detrimental effect on the body, and can even cancel some of the benefits of cosmetic surgery. For smokers, the skin won’t heal as well, and cells will have difficulty repairing themselves in the presence of nicotine. Quitting smoking can dramatically increase the positive results of any procedure.

Your amount of exposure to the sun is another way to change the outcome of your surgery—for better or worse. Using sunscreen and covering exposed areas with clothing can keep your skin in great shape for years to come. You’ll help to avoid extra marks, burns and other abnormalities by limiting your time in the sun.

Adequate sleep is also key. “People sometimes underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep,” says Dr. Ali, “but it is critical to recovery. By resting and sleeping well, you’re absolutely helping your body heal and restore itself. Basically, just make sure you take care of yourself as much as possible.”

To find out more about the long-term effects of plastic surgery, or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Ali at Amae Plastic Surgery Center in Detroit, Michigan today!

© 2017 Millionairium and Dr. Ali. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Millionairium and Dr. Ali are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.