Case #1680 · Westwood, CA
Liposuction
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This 28-year-old-patient from Westwood, CA had recently underwent extreme weight loss with diet and exercise and was now left with excess skin and stubborn fat around her arms. Dr. Cassileth performed vaser liposuction for fat reduction of her trouble area. She is so happy with h
Continued care
Recommended aftercare, skincare, and MedSpa services for Liposuction.
- Compression garment continuously for 4 weeks, daytime for an additional 4 weeks
- Lymphatic drainage massage starting week 1
- Walking encouraged from day 1; cardio at week 3
- Massage technique taught to maintain even contour during the swelling phase
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to support healing when recommended
- Body hydration protocol on the contoured areas
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic on incision site scars
- SPF 50+ on incision site scars for 12 months
- Indiba radiofrequency for skin retraction during the first 8 weeks
- Lymphatic drainage weekly for the first month
- Laser or microneedling for skin tightening at 3 months if needed
- Skincare
Combined silicone and tightening regimen applied daily to newly redraped tissue.
Skin retraction after weight loss responds well to consistent topical support.
- MedSpa
Indiba radiofrequency added through month 3 to support skin retraction.
Post-weight-loss patients typically benefit from active tissue tightening.
- Skincare
Sun avoidance and SPF protocol extended through month 12 to minimize scar hyperpigmentation.
Younger skin pigments scars more reliably under sun exposure.
Why this approach
The decisions that shaped this surgical plan.
- Surgical plan calibrated to post-weight-loss tissue. Skin tone, where the redundancy concentrates, and how the tissue redrapes all guided technique choice.
Pre-op preparation
What to do before surgery. Specific to this case.
- Discontinue blood thinners (NSAIDs, aspirin, fish oil, vitamin E) two weeks out. Acetaminophen remains safe; the full list is reviewed at pre-op.
- Nicotine in any form, cigarettes, vapes, patches, gum, paused six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. Nicotine narrows blood vessels and slows wound healing.
- Plan the first week so nothing needs to be lifted or reached. Most patients also pre-cook simple meals or arrange delivery.
- Confirm a driver for surgery day and a companion who can stay through the first night.
Recovery timeline
Milestones specific to this case. Individual recovery varies.
- Day 1–7
Rest, hydration, and short ambulation. Most patients are off prescription pain medication by day 4.
- Week 2
Walking distance doubles. Showering rules relax. Compression garments transition to the long-wear schedule.
- Week 4
Return to most low-impact activity. Scar massage, compression, and skincare protocols pick up.
- Week 6
Most physical restrictions lift. Return to strength training, full-impact cardio, and overhead lifting.
- Month 3
Shape is 80–90 percent of final. Scars are still pink and will continue to lighten through month 12.
- Month 6
Tissue tightening completes. Any planned refinement (e.g. revision lipectomy) is timed for this window.
