surgical procedures

Also known as suction lipectomy, liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove fat from specific areas of the body such as the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, chest, back, calves, ankles, upper arms, chin and neck area. It is the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today.

Although it may be used in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures, it is not designed to be a weight-loss procedure nor a treatment for cellulite or excess, sagging skin. Liposuction is a procedure to remove excess fat deposits from areas of the body which have not responded to diet and exercise. It slims and shapes these areas to create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing body contour. It is a popular procedure for men and women.

During consultation, your doctor will discuss all the options available to you and, based on his evaluation of your health and the amount of treatment needed, recommend the procedure that would best accomplish your goals.

The best candidates for liposuction:

• may have lost weight but have specific areas they cannot reduce no matter how much they exercise or diet.
• are healthy and physically fit but, due to family traits, have fatty deposits which cause their bodies to have disproportionate contours.
• are males with gynecomastia (overdevelopment of their breast tissue).
• have fat deposits which need to be removed in conjunction with another plastic surgery procedure such as a tummy tuck or a breast reduction.
• are generally healthy and do not smoke.
• have realistic expectations.

The procedure is performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending upon the liposuction technique used and the extent of treatment required; it takes from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Liposuction is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure performed through a tiny incision. Newer liposuction techniques are much safer and result in minimal bruising, swelling, and discomfort. There are several techniques for performing liposuction:

Tumescent (or Super-wet) Liposuction 
A saline solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the areas to be treated. This not only provides a local anesthetic and reduces bleeding, but causes the tissues to become tumescent (swollen), making it easier to break up and remove fat deposits. The fat is removed using a cannula (a thin hollow tube with a surgical vacuum attached to it). It is generally considered to be the safest method of liposuction.

Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction (UAL)
Ultrasound energy produced by a special cannula liquefies the fat which is then removed by suction. Since ultrasonic energy can burn tissues other than the targeted fat, a tumescent solution may be used to help cool the tissues to prevent burns. This method is useful for areas of the body that are more fibrous such as the back and navel areas as well as male breasts. It allows for the safe removal of larger amounts of fat than with traditional liposuction. It results in less bruising and blood loss and recovery is more rapid.

Recovery times will vary widely depending upon the individual’s healing response, the procedure used, and the extent of the areas treated. Some patients recover in a few days, and others might require a few weeks. In many cases, stitches are not needed to close following liposuction since the tiny incisions can heal on their own. You may be asked to wear a compression garment for a few days or weeks to control swelling. Any discomfort you may experience can be controlled with medication.

Although liposuction is considered to be safe and is generally performed without serious complications, it carries the risks of any surgical procedure. Potential complications are infection, fluid collection, fat clots or blood clots, reaction to anesthesia, nerve or skin damage, heat injury (from ultrasound-assisted liposuction), ripples in skin, asymmetry, and persistent pain.