Liposuction
Sometimes even a healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen can fail to procedure the results desired for every part of your body. Many men and women struggle with localized pockets of fat in a particular area of their body which is more resistant to diet and exercise than other areas of their body. This is largely due to genetics. We are pre-disposed to gain and hold on to weight in certain areas of our bodies and it’s different for everyone. Some people seem to only gain weight in all the more desirable areas and for others, just the opposite is true.
If you are tired of not getting the results you desire on your own, are in good health and are in a normal, healthy weight range, you may be a good candidate for liposuction. Liposuction, sometimes referred to as “lipo” by patients, slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body contours and proportion. Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures, such as breast reduction or tummy tuck. These days there are a few different types of liposuction coming onto the market, but the most commonly used is called Tumescent Liposuction.
What liposuction can treat:
- Thighs
- Hips and Buttocks
- Abdomen and Waist
- Upper Arms
- Back
- Inner Knee, Calves and Ankles
- Cheeks, Chin and Neck
Candidates:
- Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone.
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Nonsmokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring
Procedure:
- Prior to the procedure, the area to be treated with a marked. You will be put under either local anesthesia, in which you will be awake but relaxed and numb, or under general anesthesia, in which you will be asleep. It will simply depend on the amount of the area being treated and the surgeon's recommendations.
- Tumescent fluid will be injected which will work in a number of ways. First, it expands the tissue which will make it easier to remove the fat cells. It also will numb the area and minimize bleeding. After the tumescent fluid is in, you will wait for several minutes while it makes you numb.
- Several small incisions in the previously marked area(s) will be made. The surgeon will insert a long, skinny tube which is called a cannula, in a forward and backward motion. The cannula will tunnel into the fat layer and remove the fat cells with the use of suction. This will be repeated until the appropriate amount has been removed.
- There is a limit on how much fat can be removed and the more that is removed the more dangerous the procedure is. It is important to understand that Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a weight loss solution but rather a way to remove localized stubborn pockets of fat in an otherwise healthy figure.
- After the appropriate amount has been removed Dr. Roussalis will then suture the incisions or leave them open and absorbent pads will be applied. You can expect to experience some pain, bruising and swelling after the procedure which will naturally fade away over the following weeks. You will likely have to wear a compression garment which will aide you in your recovery.
