The ideal candidate for liposuction is someone who is in good overall health and maintains healthy lifestyle habits, but has one or more problem areas with unresponsive fat deposits. It is also important for patients to have realistic expectations, and be aware that liposuction is not a strategy for major weight loss.
Instead, liposuction should be used to remove localized areas of stubborn fat after the patient has attempted other natural weight loss methods.
There are several different liposuction techniques currently available, and each is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Several tiny incisions are made, and a local anesthetic is injected into the area to help expand and firm the fat, making it easier to remove. The cannula is then inserted through each incision and used to suction out the fat. Stitches are not required after liposuction since the incisions are small enough to heal on their own.
In laser-assisted tumescent liposuction, a laser is used to liquefy the targeted fat before it is removed, allowing for an easier and less painful removal. The laser may also be used to tighten skin in the treated area after fat is removed. Similarly, ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses ultrasound energy to liquefy fat before it is removed for a smoother removal process.
Recovery for liposuction is similar to other surgical procedures. Patients may experience mild swelling, bruising and discomfort in the treated area, but compression garments or elastic bandages may be used to help reduce these symptoms while the area heals. Patients can return to work and other regular activities as soon as they feel comfortable, which is usually after a few days. Exercise and other strenuous activities should be avoided for a few weeks.
Dr. Chaudhari provides patients special instructions on how to care for the treated area and reduce any complications. Full results of the liposuction procedure may not be visible until after swelling and bruising subside. This process may take several months, and results will appear gradually throughout this time.
The results of liposuction can be permanent, as long as patients maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, but patients should be aware that substantial weight gain can alter the results of liposuction.
Although liposuction is considered safe, like any surgical procedure, it does carry certain risks. Some of these risks may include infection, scarring, allergic reactions, hematoma or unsatisfactory results. Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures and serious complications are extremely rare.
Risks can be substantially minimized by choosing an experienced doctor and by following all doctors instructions before and after your procedure.
If youre considering a liposuction procedure, contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more and get all your questions answered.
Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure used to remove localized areas of fat from the body through a small thin tube called a cannula. The fat from the targeted area is suctioned from the body through this tube, leaving patients with a slimmer, more balanced appearance.
The older, more conventional liposuction procedure was effective in removing excessive fat deposits, but was a painful procedure that involved suctioning out large areas of solid fat. New technology offers different techniques that improve the accuracy and reduce the pain associated with liposuction. Today, liposuction is usually performed via the tumescent technique, or with the help of ultrasound imaging or a laser. These new technologies have transformed liposuction into a much safer and less invasive procedure.
Liposuction may be performed alone, or can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction or tummy tuck, to achieve maximum results.
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