Liposuction by Colen MD Plastic Surgery
The single most popular cosmetic surgery procedure, liposuction sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas that have not responded to diet and exercise such as:
- the abdomen,
- waist and hips
- buttocks and thighs
- knees
- chin, cheeks, and neck
- upper arms.
Liposuction not only offers the opportunity to slim and contour chubby areas of the body; by removing the fat cells, it also ensures that these areas will not accumulate fatty deposits in the future.
What can I expect with a Liposuction?
There are several different methods surgeons use when performing liposuction, including:
- tumescent liposuction,
- the super-wet technique,
- ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL).
Local anesthesia or general anesthesia may be used and the procedure can last anywhere from one to five hours depending on the amount of fat being removed.
Liposuction can be done by manual apparatus or using the PAL technique. In all types, a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible; a cannula (small tube) then breaks up the fat layer and suctions it out.
Our doctors know that all patients are different, both in their body shapes and in what they wish to achieve with liposuction. We take as much time as necessary during every pre-operative consultation to learn what each patient wants to liposuction to do for them, and to decide which technique is best. In this way, every one of our patients enjoys completely customized treatment designed with his or her specific goals in mind.
The liposuction procedure may last from one to five hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. The doctor will use either local anesthesia or general anesthesia, again depending on the size of the area(s) being treated as well as several other factors. We will discuss which method is best for you during your pre-operative consultation.
Liposuction Techniques
The liposuction procedure begins with the injection of a solution composed of saline (salt water), a local anesthetic called lidocaine, and a small amount of adrenaline to decrease bruising and bleeding. This is known as either the tumescent or super-wet technique, depending on the ratio of the fluid to the fatty tissue being removed.
Once the solution has been introduced into the area planned for liposuction treatment, the plastic surgeon proceeds with one of two different methods of liposuction. These methods include Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (SAL) or Ultrasonic-Assisted Lipectomy (UAL).
In both methods, a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible.
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (SAL): In SAL, a cannula (small tube) is inserted and moved back and forth beneath the skin, breaking up the fat layer and suctioning it out.
Ultrasonic-Assisted Lipectomy (UAL): In UAL, ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out with a cannula.
Recovery from Liposuction
After liposuction surgery, drainage tubes, compression garments, and antibiotics may be needed to facilitate the healing process. Patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able, and many return to work within a few days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month. You should expect some pain, swelling and bruising after the procedure.
Results of Liposuction
Results are visible immediately, and improvement often continues as swelling subsides during the first three months.
Liposuction results are usually permanent, as long as you maintain your weight. If you gain weight after liposuction, your fat distribution may change. For example, if your abdomen and hips were treated, your thighs or buttocks may become problem areas.
We make sure that scars from the liposuction cannula insertion point are small and inconspicuous.
Liposuction with Colen MD Plastic Surgeons
A liposuction procedure may not be the best option for you. A consultation is always recommended to assess your goals, concerns and candidacy for surgery. We encourage you to contact our office to schedule your consultation to determine if liposuction is right for you.
Click here to contact Colen MD Plastic Surgery and set up a consultation to meet our surgeons Dr. Helen Colen and Dr. Stephen Colen at our Park Avenue Suite in Manhattan or to set up a consultation with Dr. Kari Colen in our Bergen County New Jersey office located in Hackensack, NJ.
