Saying “I Do” to Liposuction
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1by Cosmetics Expert Mike Dune
Find a wedding gown … check. Book a reception venue … check. Schedule liposuction … seriously?
Yes, it’s true. More brides these days are scheduling appointments with plastic surgeons, along with caterers and calligraphers. For many women, the wedding represents not just a celebration of love but also a transformative milestone, a time to embrace a new role and a new future. Some take the opportunity to transform their bodies, as well, getting makeovers or shedding weight to start a new phase of their lives rejuvenated, and liposuction is part of that process.
On the Internet, you can find plenty of evidence of the increase in pre-wedding plastic surgery. On one patient forum, RealSelf, many brides-to-be have posted questions and sought advice about liposuction for the midsection, hips, thighs, and arms. If you’re considering this procedure ahead of your own nuptials, this is an excellent resource for considerations you may not have thought of. The following are a few more things you should keep in mind.
Recovery
The main factor you should consider before scheduling pre-wedding liposuction is recovery. Many brides plan their weddings several months or more than a year in advance, so there’s usually plenty of time to recover fully from a liposuction surgery before walking down the aisle.
The length of the recovery period varies depending on several factors, including the extent of the liposuction procedure and the patient’s overall health and lifestyle habits. According to the website of Dr. Richard Chaffoo, a plastic surgeon in La Jolla, liposuction patients can usually return to work “within just a few days,” although mild bruising and swelling usually last a few weeks. Most plastic surgeons — and past liposuction patients — warn that some residual swelling can hang around for as long as 6 months in some cases where more fat is removed.
If you’re planning a wedding, this means you should probably make the surgical consultation one of the first things you do after your engagement. A board-certified plastic surgeon can give you a recovery timeline that takes into consideration the specifics of your procedure.
Dress Fitting
Another related thing brides-to-be should keep in mind is that your dress fittings may be affected by your results. Consider your final silhouette when shopping for a gown, and be open with your alteration provider about your liposuction plans and which areas of your garment may need to be adjusted.
Budget
Finances are also a consideration for many brides-to-be who want liposuction. A surgical procedure that potentially costs thousands of dollars can be difficult for many to afford when they are also trying to fund a wedding, reception, and honeymoon. Fortunately, many U.S. plastic surgeons offer financing options, often through CareCredit®. These plans essentially work like a credit card that is dedicated to healthcare expenses, and they help many patients work the procedures they want into their budgets.
Alternatives
It’s also wise for brides to learn a bit about liposuction alternatives to see whether they might be good candidates for other options. Aside from old-fashioned diet and exercise, another good fat reduction option is CoolSculpting® treatments.
When performed by a qualified provider, these non-surgical treatments for the midsection, hips, back, and thighs can reduce fat in the targeted area by up to 25%. The treatments work by delivering intense cold energy to fat cells from the outside. The fat cells, which are vulnerable to cold, are damaged and eventually die. It takes 2 to 4 months for the results to develop, and many people will need more than one treatment session, so patients should schedule well before a wedding. But CoolSculpting is significantly cheaper than liposuction and requires no downtime, and many brides appreciate not having a recovery period during the busy wedding planning stage.
A board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring should be able to discuss CoolSculpting treatments (more info here), liposuction, and all the related factors with you ahead of your own wedding to find an option that fits your plans.
Your Opinion?
Mike Dune
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