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Cosmetic Surgery
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Body Liposculpture
Tumescent Liposuction for Body Liposculpture
As we get older fat deposits often occur that are resistant to even the most strenuous of diet and exercise programs. In women, these areas are most often the lower abdomen, the outer thigh, or “saddlebag” area, and the inner thigh. In men, these areas are most often the flanks, or “love handles,” the breast area, and the lower abdomen. For these and other areas of fat accumulation, body “liposculpture” using liposuction is a great treatment option.
Liposuction of fat deposits is nothing new. What is new is the manner in which the liposuction is performed. Some years ago the procedure required general anesthesia and large-bore cannulas. Excessive blood loss and contour irregularities were common. However, with the advent of “tumescent” fluid infiltration and newer, fine-bore cannula, the procedure can now be done safely and comfortably under local anesthetic and much finer control of the final contour is possible.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and it is not a substitute for diet and exercise. However, for individuals with resistant body fat, Tumescent Liposuction is a safe and reliable method for improving the body’s contour.
FAQ
What is liposuction surgery?
Liposuction surgery is the removal of unwanted bulges created by excess localized fat deposits. A straw sized suction tube is inserted through tiny incisions and a high-pressure vacuum removes the unwanted fat.
What areas are treated?
The most common area treated is the upper outer thigh area in women. These areas are commonly referred to as “saddlebags”. The second most common area is the lower abdomen in women. The most common area in men is the flank (love handles) followed by the lower abdomen. Other areas that are also treated are jowls, necks, arms, backs, waists, hips, buttocks, upper inner thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Liposuction is also the treatment of choice for gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) in men.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction surgery?
Athletic individuals who are already on an exercise program and of normal body weight are considered ideal candidates for this treatment. Usually they have done just about everything possible to lose the unwanted localized fat accumulation. Patients can be moderately overweight and still be good candidates for surgery. Patients who are significantly overweight may be adequate candidates for a limited number of areas. The most important thing is to have realistic expectations of what can be achieved. Age is not a significant factor. The patient should be in good general health without significant heart or lung problems.
This technique is not a treatment for generalized obesity and is not a substitute for weight loss. There is a limit to how much fat can be removed safely at one time.
Is this a dangerous procedure?
When liposuction is performed with local anesthesia by the tumescent technique, significant complications are virtually unheard of. The tumescent technique gives superior results while markedly decreasing the risk, expense and postoperative discomfort of liposuction.
Where is liposuction surgery performed?
Nearly all cases are performed in the office OR with local anesthesia. Oral and/or intramuscular sedation is usually used. Oftentimes a patient who has already undergone one session of liposuction will request that the second session be done with only local anesthesia and no sedation.
What is the recovery period?
The recovery time varies with how many areas are treated and the type of activity the patient intends to resume. Most patients are performing routine duties after two days, but in some cases five or six days of “recovery time” may be necessary.
Will there be bandages?
There will be gauze bandages along with special compression garments which are usually worn under clothing at all times except when bathing or showering for 4 to 7 days. These recommendations vary greatly from patient to patient. We supply these garments, which are made specifically for compression after liposuction surgery.
Will the fat regrow?
It is generally accepted that once puberty is reached, no new fat cells develop. The fat cells either swell or shrink in size depending on weight gain or loss. When fat cells are removed from a treated area they do not return. Liposuction surgery is, indeed, the only true spot reducer. Long-term body weight, however, is not influenced by liposuction.
What will happen to the excess skin?
Skin is a dynamic organ which has elasticity and in most cases is able to shrink to fit the new body contour. Excess skin can be removed at a later date if the patient so desires. This is almost never necessary.
Are touch-ups often necessary?
Redo’s are almost never necessary. Subtle fine tuning sessions taking 5 to 15 minutes are not uncommon if large volumes of fat from multiple body sites have been previously suctioned.
When will I notice the results?
Significant improvement is usually seen between 10 to 14 days. Additional improvement may continue for up to 6 to 12 months postoperatively.
Will I lose weight?
Weight loss may be minimal because fat weighs very little. The difference will be seen primarily in the way your clothes fit you. You will probably lose inches and look slimmer. The appearance of cellulite is sometimes improved.
Post-op Instructions
- 1. One should expect a large volume of blood-tinged anesthetic solution to drain from the incision sites during the first 24 to 48 hours. This will vary from patient to patient. In general, the more drainage there is, the less bruising and swelling there will be. You may have a few incisions drain for up to a week. Even though the fluid is red, it is only about 1% blood with the remainder being local anesthetic and tissue fluid. Maxi-pads are recommended for bandages over your incision sites. BANDAGES MUST BE CHANGED DAILY TO PREVENT INFECTION.
- 2. Please have someone stay with you the day of surgery. It is normal for patients to become light-headed when rising from a sitting or lying position. You may also become very light-headed when you remove your garments. Please have someone help you the first time.
- 3. Please follow these instructions closely. The day following surgery you may remove your garments once a day to launder them, sponge bathe and change your bandages. Surgical garments must be worn 24 hours a day (with the exception above) for the first week and 12 hours a day the second week. If your surgical garment was placed on you inside out, please continue to wear it inside out. This will assure no irritation from the seams. If you have several areas done, you will need help changing your bandages. You could have several incisions per area.
- 4. Post-op medication will be given to you the day of your surgery. They will consist of Cephalexin (antibiotic), please take as directed beginning the day after surgery; Valium/Diazepam, please take one every 4 hours the evening of your surgery (this is a relaxer and usually adequate for pain the first night); and Vicodin/Hydrocodone, please take as directed and only as needed for pain. If you are unable to take any of these medications, please contact our office so we can arrange for other medications.
- 5. If you experience nausea or vomiting it is probably due to the medication. Please try to take it with food. If it persists, please contact our office.
- 6. Diet-meals are not restricted. Drink plenty of clear fluids. We recommend 8 glasses of water or fruit juice a day. Do not drink any alcohol for 48 hours and limit alcohol intake for the first week.
- 7. As your incisions stop draining, please clean with tap water and apply antibiotic ointment to the incision. Cover with a Band-Aid only if your garments are rubbing on the incisions.
- 8. Common side effects: Menstrual irregularities with premature or delayed onset of monthly menstruation is a common side effect of any significant surgery. Flushing of the face, neck and upper chest may occur after liposuction and may last for a day or two. Slight temperature elevation during the first 48 hours after surgery is a natural consequence of the body’s reaction to surgical trauma. Bruising is minimal with tumescent liposuction. Nevertheless, the more extensive the liposuction surgery, the more bruising one can expect.
- 9. ACTIVITY: Rest for the first 12 hours. Take it easy for the first week. You may resume your normal activities as tolerated. If you experience more than mild swelling or discomfort you may be overdoing it. This will not affect the results of your surgery. Males and females may experience significant swelling in the pubic region after lower abdominal liposuction. Males need to bring an athletic supporter to the office the day of surgery.
- 10. Post-operative discomfort usually takes the form of deep muscle soreness and usually improves over the following 2 - 7 days.
- 11. Therapeutic massage is very helpful to speed the healing process. Massage may be done as often as every other day as hard as you can tolerate beginning one week after surgery. The chin is the only area you should not massage. Whirlpools and hot tubs are permitted one week after surgery to increase circulation. Soaking in warm baths and doing self-massage is also very helpful. It is normal to have a lot of pulling or pinching sensations for weeks and sometimes months following surgery. The surgical area may turn very hard and feel numb. This is scar tissue and a part of the healing process. Please be patient.
- 12. You may experience a mild depression the first week after surgery. After this time your mood will improve after you see the swelling and bruising fade. You may have swelling in your calves and ankles for up to three weeks.
- 13. Avoid sunning until the bruising has faded.
- 14. DO NOT APPLY HEAT OR ICE TO THE SURGICAL AREAS.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS THE GOAL IS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT, NOT PERFECTION.
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“Thanks to each and every one of you for making me the new person I am. You are all so very nice and caring people. Money well spent!” --D.F., Breast Augmentation
Post Op Instructions
Gallery Before and Afters
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