Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction) & Liposculpting

Common Questions

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the surgical vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. It is used to reduce fullness in any area of the body. It is an excellent method of spot reduction but is not an effective method of weight loss.

What is the tumescent technique?

The tumescent technique involves injection beneath the skin of large volumes of salt water containing lidocaine, a local anesthetic and small amounts of adrenaline, a naturally occurring hormone which shrinks blood vessels. By injecting this solution to the fat prior to performing liposuction the plastic surgeon numbs the tissues and shrinks the blood vessels thereby eliminating pain and reducing and minimizing bleeding, bruising, and swelling. The tumescent technique permits some patients who were previously treated under general anesthesia to be treated under local anesthesia with sedation.

Who is a candidate for liposuction?

Generally people who have localized areas of protruding fat achieve the most dramatic results. Patients who are slightly overweight can benefit from liposuction. It is best to be at or near your normal weight. Good skin elasticity permits the skin to shrink easily to the reduced contour. There are no absolute age limits for liposuction.

What areas are most frequently treated?

In women, the single most frequently treated areas are the outer thighs, followed by the stomach. In men, the flank area or "love handles" are treated most frequently.

Can liposuction tighten up a loose neck?

If there is excess fat in the area under the chin and the skin is taut, liposuction alone can produce a more sculpted, angular, and youthful jaw line. If, however, the skin of the neck is loose, hanging, or crepey, even if there is excess fat, liposuction alone will not produce the desired result. Patients with loose skin usually require a face and neck lift in addition to or instead of liposuction. In general, most patients who benefit from liposuction of the neck are under 40. Most patients over 40 will require some surgical skin tightening.

Liposuction seems very simple and safe. Are there any dangers?

Although liposuction is very safe and effective, it is a surgical procedure and can cause complications such as infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. In addition, aesthetic complications such as skin irregularity or waviness can occur if too much fat has been removed. Fortunately, complications are uncommon and most patients are satisfied with their results.

What can I do to get the best results possible?

The doctor's successful, permanent, common sense weight loss program can help you lose weight and keep it off. It's not difficult if a few basic steps are followed. Using the pnemonic M-E-A-L may help you remember the basics.

M = MOTIVATION
In order to lose weight, you have to really want to. This does not mean wishful thinking, but being prepared to make some permanent and reasonable lifestyle changes.

In order to determine your true level of motivation, sit down by yourself with pen and paper. On a scale of 1 to 10, honestly analyze your willingness to follow a reasonable program in order to lose weight. Write down that number, with 1 equaling "no motivation" and 10 equaling "the highest motivation possible". If you wrote down six or below, you should work on your motivation first. Try spending some time on personal goal setting, listening to specially prepared tapes or reading motivational literature. Until your motivation level reaches six or above, you will only frustrate yourself if you try our program or any other. Once you can honestly say you are highly motivated, then you should proceed.

E = EXERCISE
Today we know that physiologically, you must exercise regularly if you want to lose weight permanently. Begin a moderate aerobic program before dieting. This can be as simple as daily walking or jogging or as ambitious as a supervised aerobics class. In any case, do it regularly, at least three times per week. You should also have a complete physical exam before you begin any exercise program.

Once you have been exercising at least three times a week for at least two weeks, you can start decreasing your fat and caloric intake. Your body is now prepared to take best advantage of it.

A = AMOUNT
Again, be honest with yourself. Factors that determine "ideal weight" are height, frame, heredity, and your own personal comfort level. When setting your weight goal, consider your basic skeletal size, the size of your family members, and the weight at which you feel most comfortable. For instance, for a 5'10" woman who weighs 170 pounds, has a large frame, and whose mother was happy at 5'8" and 160 pounds to try to weigh 110 is unreasonable. She may look and feel good at 130 pounds. Instead of looking at insurance company charts, analyze these factors, arrive at sensible goals for you, and stick with it.

L = LIFESTYLE DIETARY CHANGES
These are simple steps but must be permanent. Anyone can go on a 600 calorie per day starvation diet for 6 months and lose 60 to 75 pounds, but how do you keep if off? You accomplish this goal by setting a reasonable goal of one to two pounds of permanent weight loss per week, with possible hills and valleys. This is a sensible and safe goal. Resist the urge to step on the scale every time you pass the bathroom! Weigh yourself once a week, in the morning, before you eat.

AFTER SUCTIONING OF THE FACE AND NECK:

• You must wear the support or ace bandage applied in surgery around your face and chin. Although it can be loosened and changed as necessary, it must be worn around the clock for 48 hours. For the next two days, you will wear it at night only. You may continue to wear it at night for 7-10 days if it appears to be helpful in reducing swelling.
• You can apply ice compresses to your cheek and neck areas to alleviate discomfort.
• For the first 48 hours, you should take a sponge bath only.
• Your sutures will be removed in the office.

FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL, WAIST, OR HIP SUCTIONING:

• Patients who undergo tummy suctioning wear a Velcro-abdominal surgical binder. If the binder becomes too tight, it can be loosened and reapplied. Patients who undergo liposuctioning of thighs and hips will wear a surgical support girdle. This will reduce swelling and keep the suctioned areas in a firm position. You will wear the support day and night for the first ten to fourteen days after surgery and during the day only for an additional four to six weeks. Men may wish to wear snug biking shorts.
• While lying in bed, change positions from time to time. Moving your body will increase circulation, promote healing, and help avoid stiffness.

With all liposuction procedures, gentle, deep massage should be performed beginning two days after your procedure (or when most of the tenderness has resolved). As the suctioned sites heal, the spaces fill with a fluid called serum. Massaging (or gently grinding) the areas in a circular fashion with the base of the palm for five minutes, four times a day, helps with the absorption of this fluid.

Since fat heals slower than other body tissues, results take time. Approximately one quarter of the swelling is gone in two weeks. Another one half resolves within six to twelve weeks of surgery. The remainder will resolve within six to twelve months. A few pounds of voluntary weight loss will improve the results. Sun exposure to the operative sites should be avoided for three months.

Small areas of bruising may persist for several days to a few weeks. As swelling resolves, you may also feel (but usually not see) small bumps under the skin. These, too, will resolve in a matter of days or weeks. Application of pressure with the base of your palm a few times a day can help to flatten these areas.

What diet program do you suggest?

THE SEVEN STEP PROGRAM

Listed below is an easy, reasonable dietary program that you can follow your whole life:

EAT REGULARLY
Purposely skipping meals makes you hungrier and may actually result in he consumption and retention of more calories. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, just eat less.

FORGET ABOUT DRASTIC DIETARY CHANGES. JUST DO THE FOLLOWING:

Cut fatty, sugary, or high caloric foods down to one half or one quarter of your usual portion. Increase your portions of foods that "fly, swim, or grow in the ground". Fish, fowl, fruits and vegetables are very good for you.

If you are used to eating bacon and eggs along with toast, butter, and jelly in the morning, have a very small portion of bacon and eggs with whole wheat toast and jelly only, no butter. Eliminate processed meats, as these are high in fat and sodium. You might try using non-dairy creamer and Sweet and Low in your coffee (or tea, which is better for you than coffee). If lunch is usually a burger and fries topped off with a malt, try a chicken or fish sandwich, a salad, and non-dairy drink.

For many of us, dinner means steak and potatoes with beer or wine. Instead, substitute fish, chicken, or pasta for that steak. Fill your baked potato with non-dairy filling, and replace the alcohol with iced tea.

When you want something to snack on, pass up the cookies, candy and potato chips. Instead try apples, carrots or dried fruits.

Force yourself to try this program. Progressively move to a diet low in meat, high in protein (fish and fowl), high in fiber (grain, cereal, and meal), low to medium in carbohydrates (pasta), and low in fat (eliminate butter and dairy products). You will find yourself automatically losing weight if you lower your intake of fat-based calories, which are harder for your body to burn and more likely to be converted to body fat.

As you change the way you eat, progress to controlled shopping. Pass up the junk food. Instead, substitute fruits or vegetables. Don't buy foods that are high in fat, such as butter or ice cream, switch to substitutes. Increase the amounts of "fliers, swimmers and ground growers" in your house.

INCREASE YOUR WATER INTAKE TO SIX TO EIGHT GLASSES A DAY.
This assists tremendously in flushing sodium and other toxins from your body. Make it a point to never pass up a water fountain without stopping for a drink.

DECREASE YOUR SODIUM INTAKE.
Never add salt to your food. You can even remove the salt shaker from your table. If you miss the taste, try "Nu-Salt" or another brand of salt substitute.

INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF BULK IN YOUR DIET.
This will decrease your hunger and keep you regular. Metamucil or orange-flavored natural laxative powder is pleasant tasting, and two tablespoons in juice each morning does wonders for your regularity while actually decreasing your cholesterol level.

IF YOU WANT TO SNACK, DO IT RIGHT!
Buy graham crackers, popcorn, bagels, fruit, carrots, celery sticks, or wheat germ. Pay a visit to your local health food store. You may really get into it!

REWARD YOURSELF.
If you have been good, there is nothing wrong with having a piece of cake or pie or a dish of ice cream, just a small serving and only once in a while. Moderation just makes sense.

TAKE MULTI-VITAMINS.
To be sure you get all the nutrients you need, take a multivitamin, such as Theragram-M.

This common sense program works because it recognizes you as an individual and helps you set personal goals based on your unique needs, not on some chart in a book. Losing weight and keeping it off permanently is possible through reasonable lifestyle changes as described above. You are an important person and you can be successful in achieving your weight loss goals.

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