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LIPOSUCTION

If you have areas of excess fat deposits that won't dissipate as a result of diet and exercise, liposuction provides an excellent opportunity to improve the contour of your body. As the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the country, liposuction can actually reduce and reshape the size of a particular area. Liposuction works because it not only removes unwanted fat, it also removes the cells that store fat. If you maintain your current weight and level of exercise, there is no reason to expect that you will regain fat in these troublesome areas. Some of the most frequent areas treated by liposuction for both men and women are the cheeks, chin, neck, back of the arms, pectoral areas, abdomen, "love handles", hips, thighs, inner knee, calves, ankles and buttocks. Liposuction is not a weight reduction treatment, but a method of reshaping and contouring areas of the body that are disproportionate. Because liposuction produces such immediate and visible results, the procedure has gained popularity among both men and women.
 

How is Liposuction Performed?

Liposuction is a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Liposuction can be performed with traditional, tumescent, or ultrasonic (UAL) techniques. The procedure involves making small incisions to insert a hollow tube, called a cannula. Fluid may be added to reduce bleeding and discomfort. Excess fat is then removed through the tube using a back and forth motion into a suction cup. Post-operative recovery is relatively quick, but bruising and swelling can remain for two to four weeks. If, following surgery, you maintain a healthy lifestyle (including a sensible diet), perform moderate exercise, and are able to maintain your weight, long-term results are likely.

Traditional – Traditional liposuction is used for sculpting smaller amounts of fat tissue. In traditional liposuction, fat is removed using a blunt tube with one or more holes near the end. High vacuum is applied to the tube, drawing out the fat.

Tumescent – Tumescent liposuction refers to the performance of liposuction using large volumes of a dilute solution of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in combination with adrenaline, which temporarily shrinks capillaries. This is comfortably performed with various sedation methods. Tumescent liposuction is ideal for most areas of concern.

UAL – Ultrasonic liposuction, or Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty, is a technique of liposuction where the fatty tissue is removed with the assistance of sound waves that liquifies the fat before it is removed. The ultrasonic energy is targeted to fat cells and creates less damage to other tissues such as nerves, blood vessels and muscles.
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction

Is Liposuction safe?
Liposuction is a safe procedure as long as patients carefully select the operating facility. The facility must be clean, properly equipped, and the surgeon must be adequately trained. Any surgical procedure comes with some degree of risk. Dr. Burton, who is a board certified plastic surgeon, will go over all the possible risks and complications with you during your consultation.

How long will my recovery take?
After liposuction, a compression garment or a girdle may be worn for three to four weeks to minimize swelling and to help your skin tighten around your new, slimmer figure. Healing is gradual, and you will begin to see a noticeable difference in your body shortly after surgery. How quickly you are able to resume normal activities will depend on the amount of liposuction that is performed, your individual body type, and your current health.