Liposuction

Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy), Laser Liposuction Smart-Lipo, Slim-Lipo

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction (suction-assisted lipectomy or SAL) is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States. It is very effective, has few risks, and the recovery in most cases is minimal. Like many people today, you may find yourself frustrated with diet and exercise. You may watch what you eat, work out at the gym religiously, and your weight may be fairly stable, but for some reason there may still be areas of your body that will not change shape. As with many people, you may have had these problem areas throughout your life. It is common for patients in this situation to say, "Even when my weight is down, I still have these," as they point to their "saddlebags" or some other problem area. Liposuction was designed for these individuals. In a two- to three-hour procedure, these difficult, often genetic, trouble spots can be gone.

Who is a candidate for Liposuction?

There are two types of people that Dr. Corey feels benefit the most from Liposuction. One type is the person described above. No matter how thin they get, they seem to still have an area that never changes or gets smaller. The next person that seems to be the best candidate, is one who can make those areas go away, but their life has to be so strict that they can never “have that dessert” for fear of it ending up on their thighs! These people are better off having a little liposuction and then leading a normal life, not dictated by a body part!! It is important to keep in mind that liposuction is best used as a sculpting tool, NOT for weight loss. Patients should be within 20-30 lb. of their target weight and have a BMI no greater than 30, to get the best results from this procedure. When Scottsdale plastic surgeon, Dr. Corey sees his liposuction patients at his Scottsdale practice and they do not currently meet the criteria for liposuction, he often counsels them to return home and work on the other factors first. He explains to them that when those things are improved they may return for liposuction as the finishing touch. Dr. Corey explains that liposuction is an ending place, not a starting point. He advises patients to get a life style set first, and then treat themselves to a reward.

Dr. Corey offers liposuction to men as well, usually in that midsection spare tire region but he also performs this on the neck and male breast.

How do I prepare for Liposuction?

During your pre-operative consultation, Dr. Corey will discuss these factors with you. This will also be your opportunity to address all of your concerns and discuss the specific areas you would like improved. At this consultation, you will be provided with instructions regarding diet, smoking and medications. You will also be given any necessary prescriptions, and photos will be taken.

How is Liposuction performed?

During liposuction, a small metal wand, or "cannula" is introduced underneath the skin to aspirate or vacuum out excess fat. This creates a space underneath the skin. In most cases the skin adheres to the underlying tissue with the help of a special garment that patients wear for four to six weeks. Areas treated may include the hips, thighs, knees, arms, abdomen, back, buttocks and even the chin or neck. There are different techniques available today which may be used in different situations. Basically, there are 3 different types of Liposuction and they are classified by what the surgeon does to the fat, before removing it. First, nothing can be done to the fat before suctioning it out. This is how Liposuction was first developed and consists of just passing the cannula under the skin. Most Liposuction surgeons do not perform this type as often as they used to. The second technique is where the doctor softens the fat before suctioning it out. Dr. Corey most commonly uses the tumescent technique which inserts fluid into the target area at the beginning of the procedure to help ease in the removal of fat and reduce bleeding and bruising. This is probably the most common way. And the third method is to melt the fat before removing it. There are two main ways of doing this. You can melt the fat with Ultrasonic waves, as with the Vaser type, or you can melt the fat with a laser, as with the Smart and Slim Lipo systems. For larger liposuction procedures, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia (meaning you will be asleep throughout the procedure), in an outpatient surgical facility with an anesthesiologist in attendance for the entire time. For smaller areas, liposuction is available under a slight IV sedation or totally under local anesthesia! The length of the surgery depends on which procedures are performed.

What is recovery from Liposuction like?

After the procedure, there is some soreness, but it is tolerable. The special garment will already be placed on you while you are in the operating room. Bruising can last anywhere from seven days to three weeks, and you will wear the garment as much as possible for four to six weeks. Early on, there may be some numbness to the skin, but this should resolve with time. Swelling will decrease over the next few weeks. Most of our liposuction patients were back to work in two to three days.

Dr. Corey is often asked if the fat will be gone permanently, or if it will come back. Some people have heard that if you gain weight, the fat will just come back in other places and will be even worse. Actually, most of us have the same number of fat cells in our body that we have had for years. They just get larger and smaller depending on our weight. We usually do not make new fat cells, so when these are removed from an area, they are gone for good. Future weight gain will cause the fat cells that are left behind to grow in size, but because the number has decreased the area will not get as large as it was before. Surrounding areas that have not been treated may appear disproportionately large with subsequent weight gain, and this makes some people think that the liposuction has caused other areas to become even worse than before. It may only appear that way if the patient gains significant weight after liposuction. For most people, an hour or two can result in changes that diet and exercise may not be able to provide.

I want to find out more about Liposuction. What should I do next?

When dieting and exercising do not work to reshape your body, liposuction may be the procedure for you. Dr. Corey offers two types of liposuction consultations: an individual consultation which costs $75 or if you live out of the area, an online consultation which is free. Before you meet with Dr. Corey, make sure to write down all questions or concerns you have and bring them up with Dr. Corey.  Contact us to set up your consultation today.  Proudly serving the areas of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe and Mesa, Arizona.

To see liposuction before and after photos click here.