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Liposuction
(Lipoplasty)
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Quick Facts about Liposuction
Medical Names: Lipoplasty, Suction Lipectomy
Estimated Cost: $3,000 - $8,000
Type of Anesthesia: Local, General
Total Recovery Time: 2-3 Weeks, Down Time 3-7 Days
Procedure Location: Hospital, Plastic Surgery Center
Practitioner: Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Lipoplasty, commonly known as liposuction, is a surgical procedure that improves the contours of the body by removing excess fatty deposits trapped between the skin and the muscle. Liposuction works on body areas with stubborn pockets of fat refusing to disappear with diet and exercise.
Liposuction has helped millions of women and men feel better about their appearance and self-confidence. It is recommended that the procedure be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise program. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 455,489 people had liposuction on one or more areas of their bodies in 2005.
Did You Know?
As one of the most popular procedures in the United States, liposuction is not only used to treat the excess fatty areas of the thighs and abdomen, but also on other problem areas such as the buttocks, hips, waist, ankles, inner knee and upper arms. In fact, liposuction is frequently being used to reduce or eliminate a double chin. |
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THE LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE
Liposuction is performed in a hospital or plastic surgery center. The surgical team will flush the areas to be treated with a solution comprised of saline, lidocaine and epinephrine. The saline is a non-prescription liquid buffer, the lidocaine works as a local anesthetic and the epinephrine ensures minimal bleeding during surgery.
The surgeon will make a very small incision; size and location dependent upon the body area receiving treatment. A narrow tube, called a cannula, is inserted into the fatty deposit. The surgeon will apply appropriate force and movement to loosen the fat and sculpt the region until the desired effect is reached. The unwanted fatty tissue is extracted using a vacuum.
Right after surgery you may feel lethargic from the anesthetic. In some cases, an overnight stay may be required. To allow your body time to mend, you should reduce your workload to light activities for a few days following surgery. Your plastic surgeon will give you a compression garment to wear, which helps to reduce swelling, ease discomfort and contour the body effectively.
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LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE OPTIONS
There are various fat removal methods a surgeon can use to perform liposuction. The most commonly used are tumescent technique, super-wet liposuction and ultrasound assisted lipoplasty (UAL).
Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent means 'firm and swollen', describing the state of the fatty tissue after the fluid injection. As much as three times more solution is injected into the body than the amount of fat to be suctioned from the body. The injection permeates the fat cells for up to sixty minutes before the surgery. The surgery takes three to five hours depending upon the amount of fat being extracted and number of body areas being treated. A general anesthetic is required for multiple body areas. This is a preferred method by many leading plastic surgeons because there is minimum tissue damage and less bruising than other techniques. Due to the total procedure time, the tumescent technique is the most costly of the three techniques.
Super-Wet Liposuction
Super-wet liposuction is very similar to the tumescent technique. The super-wet technique uses about one-third less solution, general anesthetic is required and surgery time is much quicker, generally one to two hours. Additionally, if you are having other treatments at the same time, such as a tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon would likely use this method because of the general anesthetic requirement.
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
Like the other two procedures, fluid is injected into the fatty areas to be treated. Unique to ultrasound assisted liposuction is the use of ultrasonic waves that are guided by a probe and inserted into the fatty tissue. The ultrasonic energy liquefies the fat and allows for more precise targeting. The liquid fat is removed from the body by the same tubing methods as traditional liposuction. Total time in surgery averages three hours, depending upon the amount of fat being removed and the total number of body areas being treated.
IS LIPOSUCTION RIGHT FOR YOU?
Ideal Candidate for Liposuction
The ideal candidate is in good physical condition, is mentally stable and has realistic expectations of what can be achieved with liposuction surgery. Candidates with good skin tone and elasticity and localized areas of fatty tissue will see the greatest results. All age groups can achieve excellent results with liposuction.
Other Considerations for Liposuction
Liposuction is a common procedure and is safe for most people. Patients with diabetes, poor blood circulation or heart or lung disease are considered at greater risk. Liposuction may not be suitable if you have excess loose skin since liposuction only removes the fatty deposits and does not remove the loose skin.
At your initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the options, risks and limitations of each technique and make recommendations based on your choices, expectations and medical history. The surgeon will review your pre-surgery preparation instructions, the procedure process including anesthesia and the expected results and post-surgery instructions for maximum recovery. Make sure you discuss all of your questions and specific health issues with your plastic surgeon.
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LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE COST
Fees vary from state to state and from one plastic surgeon to another. The cost is based upon the amount of fat to be suctioned, the number of body areas to be treated and the time required with the surgeon and plastic surgery team. In general, fees average $3,200 for one area, $5,800 for three areas and $7,700 for five areas of liposuction and include the surgeon, facility and anesthesia fees. Other important factors determining the final cost include pre-operative lab fees and post-operative expenses such as compression garments and prescriptions.
Note: A more expensive surgery price does not necessarily ensure a more skilled practitioner. You should ask for referrals and review testimonials before choosing a practitioner.
LIPOSUCTION PROS & CONS
Pros
| Patients benefit from positive aesthetic results |
| Effective in shaping the body and creating physical symmetry |
| Incisions are very small and inconspicuously placed |
| Immediate results with complete results when all of the swelling disappears
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| Results are usually permanent; fat cells do not regenerate
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Cons
| Mild to moderate pain; can be treated with over the counter pain medication |
| Some bruising may last one to four weeks and some swelling may take up to six months to disappear completely |
| Risks of surgical side effects such as numb areas, excessive bleeding, areas of unevenness, bumps and a greater amount of loose skin; discuss with your plastic surgeon |
| Three to ten days absence from work is required
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ASK A PLASTIC SURGEON ABOUT LIPOSUCTION - FAQ
Is liposuction safe?
Liposuction is a safe and straightforward procedure. If you are in reasonably good health your risks are minimal. When liposuction was first introduced in the United States in the 1980's there was an uncertainty about risks and benefits. Recent research study has proven incidents involving complications have drastically reduced, making liposuction the single most sought after plastic surgery across the nation. The public consensus on liposuction and plastic surgery procedures has shifted, resulting in a steady increase in public approval due to the influx of highly qualified plastic surgeons and the opening of world class plastic surgery facilities.
Is liposuction permanent?
The new shape of your body will be permanent. Unlike hair and skin tissue, fat cells do not regenerate. If you do gain weight after treatment you will not accumulate as much fat in the treated areas as you would have before liposuction.
Do I need a general anesthetic?
This depends on how many areas you are having treated and what method your plastic surgeon is using. With the super-wet technique a general anesthetic is required.
How much fat is removed?
This will vary a great deal depending upon your situation and should be discussed with your surgeon. Factors include your overall physical health and the area or areas to be suctioned. The most fat that can be suctioned in a single session is five liters. On average most plastic surgeons prefer to stay in a safer range of one-half liter (for small areas such as chin and knees) to three liters (for larger areas such as hips and thighs) per session.
After liposuction will I develop fat in other areas?
If you do not gain excessive weight following your liposuction surgery, fat will not accumulate in other areas of the body. Most people have localized areas where stubborn fat deposits. Once these areas are treated they will not return.
I have heard liposuction causes dimpling and skin lumps. Is that true?
If liposuction is done by a qualified and skilled plastic surgeon then dimpling and indentations should not be an issue. Ask your surgeon what size of cannulas is used for the liposuction surgery. The larger the diameter of the tubes the greater the risk of irregularities; the use of smaller tubes (less than 2.8mm in diameter) reduces risk.
Can liposuction cure obesity?
Liposuction is not recommended as a treatment for obesity. In significantly overweight individuals who have stabilized their weight prior to surgery for an extended period of time, it has been proven successful to improve body contour in stubborn or problematic areas.
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