If you are tired of love
handles or fat around your armpits, upper arms, knees, inner thighs or
somewhere else, you may have already considered liposuction. What you may not
know is there is actually an adaptation of this common procedure called mini
liposuction. Mini lipo is a shorter version of the procedure that is designed
to treat fatty deposits of less than 4 pounds. Because it's a smaller
procedure, it has a lower cost as well as a shorter recovery time.
The Mini-Lipo Procedure
Mini lipo is performed on
small areas of the body, and usually no more than one or two areas at once. The
procedure usually takes around one hour, and you will remain awake under local
anesthesia, which has fewer potential complications than general anesthesia. In
most cases, less than 2.5 pounds of fat is removed from each area. Mini lipo
uses smaller instruments and cannulas than standard lipo, which means it can
treat otherwise untreatable areas, including under the chin, around the knees,
around the armpits and the upper arms. These factors mean this procedure has
less pain, fewer complications and a lower cost than regular lipo.
Recovering from Mini
Liposuction
Mini liposuction has a much
shorter and easier recovery time compared with full lipo. Because smaller
instruments are used, you will experience less bruising and tenderness than
regular lipo. Liposuction is often performed under general anesthesia when
large areas are treated, but mini lipo is generally done under local
anesthesia, which means you can drive home afterwards.
Mini lipo recovery time varies by person, which
areas are treated, and whether you have other procedures done at the same time.
In general, though, patients return to work and other normal activities the
next day, or sometimes even the same day. You will not have the same
restrictions in place as with regular lipo. Your physician may even encourage
you to begin exercising again after just a few days.
This procedure is performed
using a very thin cannula, which results in less pain, bruising and swelling during
the recovery period. Still, you can expect some general tenderness and possibly
bruising that will resolve on its own. Tenderness usually goes away after a
couple of days. Some swelling is common at the treatment site. Your physician
will recommend exercises to speed your recovery, but remember that you will not
see final results for a few weeks until the swelling subsides.
Along with an easy recovery,
mini liposuction has very few risks. Potential risks of the procedure include
infection, swelling, bleeding, bruising and discomfort. Unlike regular lipo,
this procedure will not result in irregular texture or shape of the treated
areas because very little fat is removed.
While mini lipo is a
minimally invasive procedure that removes relatively little fat, it can still
have very dramatic results. If you are very close to your ideal weight but you
are troubled by small, stubborn areas of fat, this procedure has the potential
to improve your appearance and self-esteem while contouring your body for improved
balance.
