The evolution of liposuction has come a long way over the years. Each technique that is used has one element in common, that is, tumescent solution. This is the fluid that the physician infuses into the tissue to eliminate or greatly reduce discomfort as well as decrease any bleeding complications. The fluid is made up of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine to numb the surgical area and help minimize bruising and bleeding.
Liposuction Techniques
As a potential patient, you are constantly exposed to many different terms over the internet, on the radio, television, and newspaper ads. Each technique uses the tumescent fluid. Originally, surgeons used suction assisted liposuction as THE method to remove problematic fatty deposits. Now, as technology has progressed and from analyzing past patient results, new developments have emerged to assist with less downtime and potential complications. These include, power assisted liposuction (PAL), and radiofrequency assisted lipolysis (RFAL).
As a team of board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Drs. Jerome and Tom Liu and their team have been trained to use these techniques and encompass their surgical skills to achieve the most natural and well-contoured results. By visiting our office, our surgeons will give you their honest opinion on the best approach and method to achieve the result you are seeking. As an added bonus, the on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center provides a convenient and optimal way to undergo the procedure.
Select patients can undergo body contouring in the office suite under a light sedation with oral medications. The approach used by our team of surgeons is suction assisted liposuction. However for some patients, we recommend Facetite or Bodytite in conjunction with liposuction in order to apply radiofrequency heating to the tissues. This technology can be an additional asset to melt the fat and tighten any loose skin. Please call the office for any questions you may have or to schedule a consultation with one of our top surgeons.
How is it done?
Liposuction/Liposelection® is accomplished through the use of a cannula—a thin, blunt tube that is inserted below the skin to manually loosen fat and sculpt the region. Cannulas come in different sizes to address different areas of the body. Small incisions are made depending on the area treated. Anesthesia is either general or local with sedation. Most procedures are done in one to three hours in an outpatient setting. Large volume Liposuction/Liposelection® (over 5 liters of fat) is a more complex proposition and may be performed in a hospital or considered a multi-staged procedure.
Recuperation After Liposuction
You can expect to be up and walking around shortly after surgery to minimize risks due to poor circulation. You will wear a fitted compression garment on the treated area to provide compression for your new contour, reduce swelling and bruising, and keep the blood flowing for proper circulation. Most patients are back to work within the week. You will probably experience some temporary numbness, bruising and swelling. Results will be immediate but will continue to refine over 4 to 6 weeks. Your overall shape can continue to improve with proper exercise.
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Other Options
Liposuction/Liposelection® can be used effectively in conjunction with abdominoplasty, buttock lift, or arm lift for best results. Certain facial and neck procedures are further refined using Liposuction/Liposelection® as well. Click here for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), body lift, and head and neck procedures.
Ask Our Team
What Liposuction/Liposelection® technique is the best? Tumescence, ultrasound or power assisted?
Who is not a good candidate for Liposuction/Liposelection®?
Can my dermatologist do Liposuction/Liposelection® on me?
Can Liposuction/Liposelection® give me a 6 pack?
Is it true that Liposuction/Liposelection® can help cellulite?
Will my fat come back, or is Liposuction/Liposelection® permanent?
What Liposuction/Liposelection® technique is the best? Tumescence, ultrasound or power assisted?
Before defining which Liposuction/Liposelection® technique is best for you, your doctor must look at your overall health, skin quality, body mass, estimated volume of fat to be removed and number of sites to be treated. This is easily determined at your consultation.
Who is not a good candidate for Liposuction/Liposelection®?
Candidates with a history of poor healing and serious complications brought about by conditions such as lupus, diabetes, chronic blood or heart disease should not have this procedure. Older patients have less elasticity in their skin—their results will not be as favorable as someone younger with good skin quality.
Can my dermatologist do Liposuction/Liposelection® on me?
A dermatologist can perform Liposuction/Liposelection® if they have completed specialized training in Liposuction and if the procedure is of limited scope. Facial plastic surgeons are well suited to do Liposuction if the case involves only face and neck. A board certified plastic surgeon is the only medical professional who you should consider for any area of you face, breast or body but particularly if Liposuction/Liposelection® is combined with other surgical procedures.
Can Liposuction/Liposelection® give me a 6 pack?
No. Liposuction/Liposelection® does not tighten skin, it sculpts the body by reducing fat deposits and subcutaneous thickness in certain regions of the body. A 6 pack is muscle, and only exercise or other surgical routes such as an abdominoplasty will help towards this goal.
Is it true that Liposuction/Liposelection® can help cellulite?
No. In fact, it can make it worse. Cellulite is not fat.
Will my fat come back, or is Liposuction/Liposelection® permanent?
Not all fat cells are removed, so if the patient gains a lot of weight, the treated areas will get larger. It is very important to commit to a regimen of healthy diet and exercise to maintain and maximize your results.
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