LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction alone can remove excess fat deposits where skin has good elasticity and is able to naturally conform to new body contour.
WHAT IS LIPOSUCTION?
Liposuction, sometimes referred to as "lipo" by patients, slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body contours and proportion.
Once a high risk surgical technique only for the most severe situations, Liposuction, has progressed significantly over the years into what is now known as Body-Sculpting, Liposculpture, or Tumescent Liposculpture, so called due to the anesthetics that are used to numb the skin (local anesthesia).
Other names to Body-Sculpting, Liposculpture, or Tumescent Liposculpture are: Jet Lipo, Soft Breeze, Tickle Lipo, Super Wet Lipo, Liposculpting, Water Lipo, Lipoaspiration.
WHAT IS THE LIPOSCULPTURE UNDER LOCAL ANESTHESIA?
The Local anesthesia used for Liposculpture or Tumescent Liposculpture was invented by Dr. Klein in the mid 1980's and is considered a major advance that has completely changed the surgical fat removal. It is regarded as the "best" type of lipo surgery to date.
Large volumes of saline solution containing anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor medication are injected directly into the unwanted areas to remove the fatty deposits. This solution completely numbs the skin, therefore general anesthesia or heavy intravenous sedation is not required. During the procedure, the patient is awake, mildly sedated, alert, and comfortable enough to enjoy listening to music, or have a conversation while the physician works.
IS THE LIPOSCULPTURE PAINFUL?
There is some discomfort at the beginning of the process; once the area is numbed the patient will not feel any pain, only the movements of the physician working.
The recovery process after Tumescent Liposculpture is painless compared to traditional liposuction, because the local numbing wears off slowly and provides lasting ease up 24 to 48 hours.
HOW SAFE IS THE LIPOSCULPTURE?
The Tumescent Liposculpture since it is local anesthesia provides an excellent safety assurance. Complications are extremely rare. In a survey of plastic surgeons that previously had cosmetic surgery themselves, 90% had chosen to have local anesthesia over general anesthesia; there is medical evidence that the local anesthetic used for this kills bacteria and infection, incidence is rare with this technique.
ARE BODY–SCULPTING RESULTS PERMANENT?
Yes. We are born with a limited number of fat cells. Once they are removed by body-sculpting, they will not come back. We can help and guide you to an effective post-op healthy nutrition program, supplements and exercise regimen to further enhance the effects of your procedure, and lead you to a more heightened and healthier lifestyle.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING PROCEDURE DAY?
Anxious patients will be given oral medication which will lead to mild sedation. The doctor will mark the pockets of fat that will be targeted. The skin and fat is numbed with the anesthetic solution. The solution and the unwanted fat are then safely removed using a small cannula.
Once finished, the physician or his staff will dress the patient with a compression garment if needed. Recovery is fast, and this is one of the biggest advantages of performing body-sculpting using only local anesthesia. Patient is able to walk immediately after the procedure.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
Patients with non-strenuous jobs may return to work the day after the procedure or a day or two if multiple areas are treated. Some patients may feel temporary numbness in the treated area since some local anesthetic lingers in the tissue.
Some patients may experience minor discomfort after the numbness wears off which can be managed with a mild pain killer. Physical exercise is not recommended until at least one week after the procedure. Patients often report a sense of wellbeing, and increased energy levels in addition to the aesthetic improvement.
FOLLOW UP AND POST SURGICAL THERAPIES
After Liposculpture is performed, it is imperative that you keep you follow up appointments and ensure that proper post-Liposculpture treatment is completed.
It is advised to have at least 10 sessions of Post Surgical Therapies in order to help your skin to heal and recover properly. It is your full responsibility to keep up with these appointments, if not it will affect the outcome of your surgery.
What is the difference between the Body-Sculpting and traditional liposuction?
BODY SCULPTING
Anesthesia:
Local anesthesia (tumescent technique) is used to numb the skin and surrounding tissue. Furthermore, vasoconstrictor medications are added to the solution to shrink capillaries and minimize blood loss.
LIPOSUCTION
General anesthesia, or deep sedation, is used in a surgical setting exposing patients to possible side effects and complications such as: drowsiness, nausea, allergic reactions, infections, and embolism.
Recovery:
Can go from 2-3 days (one weekend), up to 7 days depending on the amount of areas treated. Minimal post-surgical irregularities, dimpling or rippling of the skin.
Depends on areas treated, but typically 7-15 days of full rest and recovery.
Scaring:
The incisions are smaller than 1/8 of an inch and don’t require stitches. We place them in the most inconspicuous areas possible, so once healed the scars are close to invisible.
The incisions are large and typically stitches are used, often resulting in scaring or keloid depending on the skin.
Cannula:
Thin and delicate micro-cannulas allow the physician to artistically shape the body with better accuracy and control. Minimal blood loss, bruising, vascular injury, or lymphatic system disruption is present.
Power assisted devices and suction machines. Large size of cannulas. Less control over sculpting and more traumas due to the machine power. Higher blood loss and lymphatic’s damage.
AREAS COMMONLY TREATED
