Liposuction

You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have pockets of fat in specific areas that do not improve with diet or exercise, your weight is stable, and your skin has good tone and elasticity, which helps it adapt to the new contour. Realistic expectations matter just as much: liposuction reshapes targeted areas — it does not replace a healthy lifestyle, and it does not treat cellulite or loose skin.

During your consultation, the surgeon reviews your medical history, the medications and supplements you take, and your overall health, since some conditions — such as bleeding disorders, certain heart problems, or poorly controlled diabetes — may mean the procedure is not advisable. Depending on your case, the specialists at Healthcare by the Sea will help you decide whether liposuction is right for you.

Liposuction is performed under anesthesia: either local anesthesia with sedation — the usual choice in an outpatient setting, especially for smaller areas — or general anesthesia, depending on how much area is being treated and what your surgeon recommends.

The most common approach is tumescent liposuction: the surgeon injects a sterile solution containing a local anesthetic and a medication that narrows blood vessels into the area, which makes the fat easier to remove and reduces bleeding and discomfort. Through small incisions, a thin tube called a cannula is inserted and connected to suction, and the fat is removed with controlled movements. In some cases, ultrasound-assisted, laser-assisted, or power-assisted techniques may be used to make work in certain areas easier.

Afterward, you rest in a recovery room under close observation by the medical team. As an outpatient procedure, most patients return home later the same day, with clear instructions and the attentive support of our team.

Everything starts with a consultation: your surgeon reviews your medical history, examines the areas you would like to treat, evaluates your skin's quality and elasticity, and talks through your goals and expectations to design a plan tailored to you. In some cases, lab tests are ordered before surgery.

Your doctor may ask you to stop, with the timing they indicate, medications and supplements that increase bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatories; take only what your surgeon approves. If you smoke or vape, stopping is important because tobacco slows healing.

Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if possible, have a family member or friend stay with you the first night. Our team in Puerto Vallarta can help you coordinate these details — especially if you are traveling from another city or from the U.S. or Canada.

After surgery, it is normal to have swelling, bruising, and soreness in the treated areas, along with some fluid draining from the small incisions during the first days. You will typically wear a compression garment for a few weeks to control swelling and help the skin adapt to the new contour; in certain cases, small temporary drains are placed and removed in the days that follow.

Many patients return to everyday activities within a few days and to work within one to two weeks, depending on how much was treated and the kind of work they do; strenuous exercise is usually postponed for a few more weeks, until your doctor clears it. Swelling goes down gradually, and the new contour may take several months to show fully as the tissues settle.

Go to the emergency room right away if you develop a high fever, heavy bleeding, pain that gets worse instead of better, shortness of breath, chest pain, or increasing swelling and redness in one leg, and notify the doctor who performed your procedure as soon as possible.

Medical reference source: Mayo Clinic.