TUMESCENT LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction was first introduced in the United States in the early 1980’s. Liposuction is also referred to as “liposculpture”, “lipoplasty”. It is an excellent technique developed to remove fat deposits that do not respond to dieting and exercise. These fatty deposits are most commonly found in the hips, thighs, abdomen, and knees as well as under the chin. For the appropriate candidate, it is an extremely rewarding procedure that quickly improves a patient’s self image.
The basis of liposuction is that the body has a fixed number of fat cells in any given area. When there is weight gain, the fat cells expand. Liposuction permanently removes these cells in the designated area. Those areas will not regain as much new fat as a part of the body where the fat was not removed. Therefore, it is important to understand that if weight is gained after liposuction, other areas of the body will take the place of the liposuctioned areas and fat bulges will form in these new areas. Liposuction will not change or improve loose, dimpled or wrinkled skin or cellulite.
There is literature suggesting that liposuction is performed to remove jowls and in other areas of the face. Dr. Binder firmly believes that liposuction is an excellent procedure as an adjunct to neck lift surgery, but strongly believes that it should not be done on the face above the jawline. In his experience, thinning out the subcutaneous tissue under the facial skin will eventually accelerate the aging process.
Overall, the best candidates for liposuction are patients with good skin elasticity and areas of definable fat bulges.
Liposuction is now performed using the “tumescent” liposuction technique. This involves infusing an anesthetic solution with a dilute concentration of epinephrine into the area. Today, very small cannulas are used to remove the fat with small incisions. The use of small cannulas reduces bruising and swelling and avoids some of the earlier problems of liposuction, which were varying degrees of skin depressions (called ridging). These problems were the result of large cannulas. After the fat is removed a compressive garment is applied to the area and worn for a few weeks.
After a liposuction procedure, compression bandages will be applied to the treatment area(s) to assist in controlling swelling and to compress the skin to its new contour. In cases of excess blood or fluids, small temporary drains may be placed in the incisions. After a liposuction procedure, it may take several weeks to several months for swelling to go away.
Do not drive yourself home from the procedure and allow two to five days of healing before returning to work and seven to fourteen days before returning to normal day-to-day activities such as working out. Strenuous activity performed before being healed may cause incisions to reopen and may need to be restitched.
LIPOSUCTION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before going in for a liposuction procedure, anticoagulants should not be taken for 2-3 weeks prior to the procedure. Anticoagulants prevent blood clotting and may lead to excessive blood loss during and after the procedure.
A good candidate is one who has realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure, is in good health, and will be happy about the results. Fat cells do not regrow so without weight gain the body shape will mostly be retained. Weight gain and pregnancy can lead to disproportionate body structure. It’s best to talk to your doctor about liposuction if you plan on being pregnant after the procedure and the effects it may have on your body both during and after the pregnancy.
Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance and liposuction is in this group. However, this does not always mean you need to pay the total cost of the procedure upfront, ask about payment options and negotiate one that works for you.
For more information on payment options or questions regarding the procedure. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Binder.
- Excessive quantity of liposuction treatments or excessive fat reduction in the treatment area can be toxic to patients and cause irregularities in the skin. While it is difficult to define exactly how much liposuction crosses into the excessive threshold (six to eight pounds is usually safe)- it is safer to have monthly small procedures than a large one time procedure.
- Having multiple, unrelated, surgeries on the same day can expose a person to a dangerous amount of anesthesia.
- Infection can occur if the surgical area is not properly cleaned and is exposed to bacteria.
- Weight gain, natural aging, and pregnancy may affect the longevity of the results.