How is liposuction performed?

The tumescent technique is commonly utilized first: a solution of saline and anesthetic is injected, making the area "tumescent," or swollen, to permit easier separation of fat from other tissue.  The ultrasonic technique is often used in dense tissue areas: male chest, upper abdomen, love handles, hips, outer thighs and upper back.  The ultrasonic technique is an adjunct to tumescent liposuction: the ultrasonic wand is used as an additional surgical tool for dense tissue areas. Procedure utilizes cannulas inserted through tiny incisions. The fat is removed with the use of suction.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

Ideal liposuction candidates are Individuals who have persistent deposits of fat in the "saddle-bag" areas, abdomen, knees, ankles, waist and under the chin. Both women and men. Men with enlarged breasts may be candidates.

What is the recovery process?

After the liposuction procedure, you will go home with a snug dressing and elastic girdle over the treated area, which helps the skin conform smoothly to the shape of underlying tissue.  There will be some postoperative discomfort for a few days, easily controlled by medication.  Swelling and discoloration usually subside within three to six weeks.

Is liposuction a reasonable treatment for obesity?

Liposuction is not a good treatment of obesity. Liposuction is not effective, even as a last resort, for people who are unable to lose weight by dieting and exercise. Obese patients almost always regain the weight that is removed by liposuction unless there is a dramatic reduction in calorie intake (by dieting) or a significant increase in calorie expenditure (by exercising).

Whenever large-volume liposuction has been used in an attempt to treat obesity by surgery, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of serious surgical complications. It is not safe to remove huge amounts of fat by liposuction. It is dangerous to remove more than 8 to 10 pounds of fat by liposuction in a single day. Thus, liposuction will not be of any significant benefit for an obese patient who believes that liposuction will aid in the effort to lose weight.
 

Does liposuction produce permanent results?

After liposuction the body's new shape is more or less permanent. If a patient does gain a moderate amount of weight after liposuction, then the figure will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. As long as the patient does not gain excessive amounts of weight, the new, more pleasing silhouette is permanent. Of course after liposuction the clock keeps ticking, and advancing age will produce the usual changes in the shape of the body associated with the aging process. If a person gains weight after liposuction, she/he will not accumulate as much fat in the treated areas as would have happened if liposuction had not been done.
 

Does liposuction always remove cellulite?

Liposuction improves the silhouette of the body, but does not necessarily eliminate the pre-existing subtle "puckering" of the skin that is often referred to as "cellulite." Liposuction does reduce the degree of cellulite to a minor degree but it is unlikely to produce a significant improvement or to completely eliminate cellulite.