Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your self-image.
Enhancing your appearance with liposuction
Despite good health and a reasonable level of fitness, some people may still have a body with disproportionate contours due to localized fat deposits. These areas may be due to family traits rather than a lack of weight control or fitness.
Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your self-image.
Liposuction techniques may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the:
In some cases, liposuction is performed alone, in other cases it is used with plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift, breast reduction or a tummy tuck.
What it won't do: Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite, the dimpled skin that typically appears on the thighs, hips and buttocks, or loose saggy skin.
The success and safety of your liposuction procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.
Be prepared to discuss:
Dr. Suber may also:
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
Special instructions you receive will cover:
Dr. Suber will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Liposuction may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical center, outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, or a hospital.
You'll need help
If your liposuction is performed on an outpatient
basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery
and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.
What happens during liposuction surgery?
Step 1 - Anethesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures.
The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Dr.
Suber will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 - The incision
Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. First, sterile liquid solution is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.
Problem areas that can be addresses with liposuction:
Step 3 - See the results
Your improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained. However, substantial weight gain can alter an otherwise permanent result.
The decision to have liposuction is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Dr. Suber and staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
Possible risks of liposuction include:
Is it right for me?
If you are bothered by excess fat deposits - located
anywhere on your body - that don't respond to diet or exercise, liposuction
may be right for you.
Ideal candidates for liposuction are:
Be sure to ask questions:
It's
very important to ask Dr. Suber questions about your liposuction
procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement
for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't
be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr. Suber.
Be careful
Following Dr. Suber's instructions is key to the
success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions
are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion
during the time of healing. Dr. Suber will give you specific instructions
on how to care for yourself.
Once your procedure is completed, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas. These help to control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours.
You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for the surgical site(s), medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with Dr. Suber.
A special note: Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when large amounts - usually more than 5 liters of fat - are suctioned. Be sure to ask Dr. Suber specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
When you go home
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains,
or unusual heartbeats, seek medical attention immediately. Should
any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization
and additional treatment.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop. The fulfillment you feel from the initial results of liposuction should continue as long as you control your weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. A significant weight gain can reverse your results. Following liposuction, your slimmer and better-proportioned body should more accurately reflect the healthy and active life you lead.
Dr. Suber is sensitive to the fact that cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. As such, our practice strives to make liposuction as affordable as possible. Details on any individual's costs are provided at the time of the consultation with Dr. Suber.
Cost may include:
Most health insurance plans will not cover cosmetic liposuction surgery, related complications or another surgery to revise the appearance. You must carefully review your health insurance policy.