Body Contouring, Liposuction and Abdominoplasty, are procedures to improve the appearance of your body contours. Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods.
There are technical variations to the basic liposuction techniques. Our surgeons are highly trained, experienced and specialized in lipo-sculpture and micro-liposuction. Liposuction can remove the fat out, but it is not what is removed that matters - it is the shape that you leave the body in after the fat is gone that counts. Lipo-sculpture and micro-liposuction techniques, together with an excellent artistic vision make our surgeons the right individuals to help you achieve the body contours you have always dreamed of.
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration, but older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
Consequently, we encourage you to arrange an appointment with our excellent surgeons immediately. They will assess your needs as they consider variables such as your age, skin elasticity, expectations, and overall state of health, in order to assist you in making the decision that would be most appropriate for you.
The Consultation
During your initial consultation, the surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. The surgeon will explain the Body Contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an Abdominoplasty may more effectively meet your goals.
The surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. After your initial consultations, once you have scheduled your surgery, the surgeons will support you in preparations for the procedure. For example, if you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, our surgeons may help treat such conditions in order to prevent the surgery from being postponed. The surgeons will be available to answer your questions and assist you in preparing yourself and your loved ones for the days ahead.
The Surgery
The Physicians with the New Me Institute™ use an advanced technique, which is world famous among cosmetic surgeons. The technique allows for the procedure to be performed under local injection of anesthesia. It renders excellent cosmetic results with minimal risk of anesthesia toxicity, or other general anesthesia risks.
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used. There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome.
Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to re-contour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. A vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the Surgeon's preference, provides the suction action.
Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is a commonly used method. The fluid, a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels), helps to remove the fat more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.
Tumescent Liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, usually takes significantly longer than traditional liposuction. However, because the injected fluid contains an adequate amount of anesthetic, additional anesthesia may not be necessary. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or "tumesced" state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.
The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.
After the Surgery
The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. Imperfections in the final appearance are uncommon, but the skin surface can initially be irregular, asymmetric or even "baggy," especially in the older patient. Numbness and minor pigmentation changes, although extremely rare, may also occur.
Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After surgery, you may experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. The Doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
You may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness after the surgery. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.
The surgeon will recommend you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after about a week or two, and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. There may be a few stitches, which are usually removed or dissolved on their own within the first week to 10 days. Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks.
The New Me
You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery, but improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.
If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the results of your procedure. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you will be able to maintain your New Image for the rest of your life. |
