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Liposculpture / Liposuction


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About Liposculpture
Are You a Candidate for Liposculpture?
About the Procedure
What to Expect After Your Surgery
Your Recovery
Possible Complications

 

About Liposculpture

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or lipectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that can help sculpt and refine the body by removing unwanted fat from targeted areas. These areas include the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Due to the constant innovation of new technologies, there are a number of new techniques including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique and the super-wet technique, currently available that can provide select patients with more precise results and shorter recovery periods.

Although liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can help remove persistent areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss and management methods.

Are You a Candidate for Liposculpture?

The strongest candidates for liposuction are those who are not overweight with firm, elastic skin but have with areas of excess fat. Though age is not a major consideration; older patients who may have diminished skin elasticity may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

At the time of your consultation Dr. Javaheri will ask you about your general medical history, specifically pertaining to any medical conditions that could cause problems during or after your surgery, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or a tendency to form excessive scars.

Please note that for individuals with preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or for those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured, there is a greater risk with the procedure.

About the Procedure

At the time of your procedure, a tiny incision will be made at the target site and a narrow tube or cannula will be inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed and pulled through the targeted fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. If multiple sites are being treated, Dr. Javaheri will then move on to the next area repeating the procedure as necessary, and will take great care to keep the incisions as subtle as possible. As previously mentioned, there are a number of different techniques currently employed depending upon several important factors including the size and location of the area(s) to be treated. Dr. Javaheri will discuss with you the different options currently available and determine the best procedure for you in order to obtain the most optimal results.

Liposuction is usually performed on an out-patient basis, though in some instances you may be required to stay overnight in a hospital depending on several factors including the overall scope of the procedure, and if you are planning to have other cosmetic procedures performed at the same time.

Depending of the amount of fat to be removed, the procedure may be performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia. Dr. Javaheri will determine at the time of your consultation which type of anesthesia will be best for you.

What to Expect After Your Surgery

After your surgery, you will experience some excess fluid drainage from the incisions. On occasion, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up and possible post-operative complications. You are likely to experience swelling and bruising to varying degrees, which may take up to three to four weeks to disappear. In addition, you may be fitted with an elastic garment to wear over the treated area in order to help your skin better fit its new contours and to reduce swelling for several weeks.

In most cases, the newer liposuction techniques can reduce some post-operative discomforts; though you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness.

Your Recovery

It is important to realize that although only tiny incisions are made, liposuction creates a large wound hidden under the skin and therefore the healing process will be gradual.

You will be instructed to start walking around as soon as possible in order to reduce swelling, and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

Most patients begin to feel better about a week or two after their procedure, and resume light activities within two to three days. Depending on the nature of their work, most patients can return to work after five to seven days, though this can be delayed in some circumstances to seven to ten days if significant swelling and bruising still exists.

Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. After three weeks, most of the bruising and swelling should disappear, though some swelling may remain for six months or more.

As with any cosmetic procedure, there will be some scarring. Though the scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed, they can take many months or even years to heal. You should expect the scars to be red, raised, lumpy and even itchy to begin with they should fade and flatten with time as this is part of the healing process.

Possible Complications

Individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable. As with any surgical procedure, the risk of infection is always a possibility. This can be minimized by the preventative administration of antibiotics both at the time of your surgery and afterwards while in recovery. However, on occasion, mild infection can occur and is relatively common, although it usually subsides after two weeks.

The more areas treated at the same time, or if the areas sites are larger in size than normal, the greater the associated risk. In addition, the removal of a large amount of fat may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations. The combination of these factors can result in a greater risk of infection, the formation of fat clots or blood clots, excessive fluid loss, toxicity from the tumescent fluid, friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves, or injury to the vital organs.

 

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