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Procedures

Liposuction

Do you have stubborn fat that just won’t go away no matter how much you diet and exercise? Then you may be a good candidate for liposuction.

In 2007, over 456,800 men and women in the United States visited their plastic surgeons for liposuction surgery. This increasingly more popular procedure provides patients with a more flattering contour in what used to be “problem areas”. Common areas for liposuction include:

  • Stomach Fat on the Abdomen
  • Lower Back Fat and Excess Fat on the Hips known as “Love Handles”
  • Inner Thighs and Outer Thighs
  • Arms
  • Pockets of Fat Under the Chin

Liposuction can dramatically enhance your appearance and in turn improve self confidence. The best candidates for this procedure are in good health and not overweight. Liposuction is not a form of weight loss surgery and is not recommended for men and women with obesity. Liposuction does not remove cellulite or stretch marks. It is important to have realistic expectations for the results of your surgery. Your plastic surgeon will discuss realistic expectations with you at your complimentary consultation. Our liposuction specialists will provide you the best results for your body type and will work with you to achieve your aesthetic goals.

Liposuction Procedures

There are many forms of liposuction available today. Often you hear about Liposuction, Ultrasonic Liposuction, Tumescent Liposuction, LipoDissolve, LipoZap and other non-surgical form of “liposuction”. There seem to be so many options available out there today that it may be hard to keep track.

What you need to know about Liposuction…

Fat reducing injections, such as Lipo Dissolve and Lipo Zap, are not currently approved by the FDA and do not have standard ingredients or regulations governing the use of these medicated injections. While many procedures have been successfully performed, studies have been inconclusive in determining where exactly all of the dissolved fat goes. Liposuction is the only scientifically proven method available to permanently remove fat cells.

Liposuction is most commonly performed under general anesthesia, but because of new and emerging technologies, some types of liposuction surgery can be performed under local anesthesia. There are several techniques used to perform this procedure; however, the same basic principals are applied to all.

After the patient is sedated, using either general anesthesia or medication to relax the patient if he or she is undergoing the procedure under local anesthesia, a small incision is made and a thin narrow tube called a cannula is inserted into the layers of fat. The tube is moved back and forth to break up the fat cells which is removed through a small vacuum attached to the end of the cannula. Once complete, the incision site is sutured and a compression garment is used.

The time it takes to complete a liposuction surgery varies depending on

  • The amount of fat to be removed
  • How fibrous the area is to be liposuctioned
  • The precision needed for the particular area

Types of Liposuction

Fluid Injection Liposuction

Prior to the steps mentioned above for liposuction surgery, a solution made of epinephrine and saline is injected into the fat cells to cause the capillaries in the fat cells to swell and become more firm, which will make the removal of fat cells easier and less traumatic to the body. This technique will also help to reducing bleeding and swelling.

Tumescent Liposuction

Liposuction under local anesthesia utilizes the tumescent technique. Like the fluid injection technique, tumescent liposuction is performed by injecting mediated liquid into the fat cells prior to using the cannula to break up and suction out excess fat cells; however, this solution also includes lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic. This form of liposuction can also be performed under general anesthesia and is one of the more popular techniques used by plastic surgeons.

Super Wet Liposuction

This technique, also one of the most common performed by plastic surgeons, is almost identical to the tumescent technique in that the ingredients of the solution are the same. However, super wet liposuction, uses about half the amount of lidocaine. Liposuction using this technology is performed only under general anesthesia.

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

Liposuction using ultrasonic technology is best used in areas that require extensive precision and/or are more fibrous than usual. A special cannula, which emits ultrasonic energy, is used to liquefy fat as the fat is broken up and suctioned out. Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction is often used in conjunction with one of the methods mentioned above.

Liposuction Recovery

Swelling & Bruising After Liposuction

Recovery time after liposuction varies depending upon your body type and the extent of surgery you had performed. After your procedure, you may experience slight bleeding, swelling and bruising. This is normal. Bruising can last up to 5 to 8 weeks, but depending on your body type, it may be much less. Swelling typically dissipates after several weeks, but you may experience slight fluctuations for the first three months after your liposuction surgery, decreasing as time progresses.

Numbness After Liposuction

You many experience numbness around the area where your liposuction surgery was performed. This is normal. A numbing sensation may occur off and on for 4-8 weeks, but feeling and sensation should return after that time.

Pain After Liposuction

Pain after liposuction surgery is often comparable to a bad bruise or muscle ache after hard workout and typically lasts about a week or so. Any discomfort can be alleviated by pain medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon.

Liposuction Scars

Your plastic surgeon will try his or her best to make the incision in a location that is either hidden by natural folds or lines in the skin or in a place that can easily be hidden by an undergarment. Your surgeon will show you the incision sites prior to your procedure. The scar is typically small and discrete. It is initially a pink color, but will fade into a faint white line over time. The use of scar cream will help to reduce the size and appearance of your scar. It is important to regularly apply scar cream for the first few months after surgery because it becomes increasingly more difficult to reduce the appearance of scars as time progresses.

Achieving Best Results After Liposuction

It is important to carefully follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions to obtain optimal results from your liposuction surgery. Common instructions include wearing your compression garment, massaging, (which will help prevent potential dimpling or wrinkling of the skin), and moving around beginning the day after your procedure. Movement will help blood flow and drastically reduce your risk of a blood clot. Your surgeon will also prescribe you antibiotics to help decrease the likelihood of infection. It is important to not smoke before or after your surgery, as it will increase bleeding and bruising.

Liposuction Risks

Although liposuction is performed successfully everyday without any complications, it is important to be informed about the potential risks that may occur.

Liposuction Risks Include:

  • Blood Clots
  • Fat Clots
  • Delayed Healing
  • Loss of Fluids
  • Negative Reaction to Medication
  • Infection

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction includes the risk of deep tissue or skin injuries. Risks associated with Fluid Injection techniques include lidocaine toxicity and fluid accumulation in the lungs.

These risks are very uncommon and can be reduced by selecting a qualified plastic surgeon. It is important to ask your surgeon about these risks and how they can be reduced and how they can be treated in the event they do occur.