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The Procedure:
Body contouring is designed to improve the appearance of areas of localized fat accumulation (abdomen, buttocks, chin, flanks, hips, knees, neck, thighs and upperarms), in patients of relatively normal weight. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for diet and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight loss methods. Patients will achieve an optimal result by obtaining a stable body weight pre-operatively.
Liposculpture can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in your expectations. Age is usually not a criterion for liposuction, but older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient; firm elastic skin will result in a better final contour. Hanging skin won't reshape to your body's new contours, and may require an additional surgical procedure to remove the excess skin; such a procedure will leave visible scars.
Liposculpture is not recommended if you've had recent surgery on the spot to be sculpted, if you have poor blood circulation in that area, or if you have heart or lung disease. You should also understand that liposculpture by itself will not improve the dimpled skin known as cellulite, though some plastic surgeons offer other techniques that may improve this condition.
Liposuction is usually performed with a combination of intravenous sedation and a regional local anesthetic. If a large volume of fat is to be removed, then a general anesthetic may be more appropriate.
Liposuction requires several hours depending on the extent of surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision, just large enough to allow the insertion of a hollow tube called a cannula. The opposite end of the cannula is attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon manipulates the cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Several incisions are needed to remove all areas of fat, and are closed with a few sutures at the end.
If you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss whether liposculpture is right for you, please call our office at 414-443-0033.
Pre and Post Operative Instructions and Information for Liposuction:
- Drains are placed beneath the skin to reduce post-operative fluid accumulation. Patients will wear a compressive abdominal binder for 1-2 weeks post-operatively.
- Patients must have someone drive them home and stay with them for the first night.
- Sutures will be placed at the cannula sites, the number and location of which will be discussed with you prior to surgery.
- Patients are required to wear a compressive garment after surgery to reduce swelling and fluid accumulations, and to improve the final contour.
- Facial liposuction requires use of a compression garment for 2 weeks, and body- contouring liposuction requires use of a compression garment for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
- At discharge you will be given instructions regarding incision care, and how to bathe. Patients return to the doctor's office at 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, and 1 and 3 months after surgery.
- The majority of swelling and bruising resolves within 2 weeks after surgery. Some residual swelling will remain for several weeks. Numbness can remain for 1-3 months.
- Avoid strenuous activities for approximately 3 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will instruct you when to begin a gradual return to activities.
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