Liposuction Scars: What to Expect

Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedure that targets pockets of fat to improve body contours. Liposuction allows individuals to sculpt and refine the body when diet and exercise have been ineffective in eliminating stubborn fat deposits.

Liposuction offers promising results, but many people wonder about what type of scarring the procedure will leave behind. Plastic surgeon Suzanne Yee prepares her Little Rock, AR, patients for what to expect from liposuction scars, and what they can do to promote incision healing.

How Big Are Liposuction Incisions?

Liposuction treatment breaks up and removes fat deposits to slim and tone target areas and improve body contours. The device that is used for liposuction treatment is called a cannula. A cannula is a long, thin instrument that acts as a high power vacuum. The cannula basically melts down fat and suctions it from the body.

Because a cannula is so slim, the incisions used to insert the cannula do not need to be very large. However, to adequately treat the target area, Dr. Yee will likely need to make a series of incisions around the treatment site. Although liposuction often requires multiple incisions, each one is very small, ranging from one half centimeter to one full centimeter in length.

Will I Have Visible Scarring?

Liposuction incisions are much smaller than those required for most other plastic surgery procedures, but our Little Rock patients should still expect some visible scarring. Fortunately, many patients find that once the incisions have healed completely, the remaining scars are so light that they blend in with the skin. Dr. Yee is also very careful about incision placement. Whenever possible, incisions will be made in areas that are easily hidden from others, such as under the arms, inside the inner thighs, or along the bikini line.

While most people do not develop severe scarring from liposuction, the appearance of scars is dependent on a number of different factors. Skin tone can influence the appearance of scars. Patients with lighter skin may not have scars that are as noticeable, but scars tend to be darker and show more on individuals with darker skin pigmentation. Patients with a history of keloid scarring (scars that are red and raised) are also more likely to develop visible scars.

Promoting Healing to Minimize Scars

Post-surgical care has a big effect on how liposuction incisions heal and what scars will ultimately look like. It is important that our Little Rock patients carefully follow all provided post-surgical care instructions to promote healing and minimize the appearance of scar tissue. Proper wound care practices include:

• Wearing compression garments as directed to aid recovery
• Cleaning incision sites as instructed
• Staying well hydrated and eating a diet rich in nutrients
• Using topical scar creams

Contact Our Cosmetic Surgery Practice

If stubborn fat pockets are keeping you from fully appreciating your figure, you may be an ideal candidate for liposuction. To learn more about liposuction treatment and the recovery process, contact our plastic surgery practice online, or call (501) 222-8758 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Suzanne Yee.