Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to improve body contour and proportion by the removal of excess pockets of fatty tissue using narrow suction tubes through small incisions.

Often times, fat pockets are resistant to exercise and diet.  Resistant pockets may be something that is genetically determined, and no amount of diet and exercise will get rid of them.  We have even performed this procedure on many aerobics instructors and fitness trainers!  Liposuction is not intended as a weight loss technique, but rather a procedure used to change the shape and contour of the body.

At some point during childhood, the number of fat cells in your body becomes constant.  After this point, when you get heavier, the fat cells get bigger.  When you get lighter, the fat cells shrink.  They do not divide or increase in numbers.  When fat cells are removed during liposuction, they are removed permanently.  So, if you maintain a stable weight, you result should be stable as well.  If you were to gain weight, it will be distributed more evenly on the body rather than go to your trouble zones.

In women, typical areas for liposuction include the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, knees, back, arms and neck.  Trouble zones for men commonly include the abdomen, love handles, chest and neck.  A few hours after surgery, patients go home with wearing a compression garment.  This garment helps to limit swelling and improve contour.

There are different liposuction technologies, such as tumescent, VASER, ultrasound, etc, available.  We choose the technique based on patient needs.

Liposuction is an artistic expression as it involves sculpting the body into a more desired shape.  Often times, liposuction is combined with other procedures such as breast augmentation or abdominoplasty.  During a consultation, the procedure is explained in detail and all of your questions are answered.  You will learn what reasonable expectations are given your particular anatomy and desires.