LIPOSUCTION
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 through- out 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 not a candidate for Liposuction?
Liposuction works best for patients who are basically proportionate but have the above mentioned problem areas. It is important to keep in mind that liposuction is best used as a sculpting tool, NOT for weight loss. Patients should be within 30 lbs BMI to get the best results from this procedure. When Dr. Corey sees patients who 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 all the other factors under control and then treat themselves.
Preparing for Surgery
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.
During your Surgery
During liposuction, a small metal wand, or "cannula" is introduced underneath the skin to aspirate or vacuum out the 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 most 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. Dr. Corey most commonly uses the Tumescent Technique which instills fluid into the target area at the beginning of the procedure to help ease in the removal of fat and reduce bleeding and bruising. He may also use Ultrasonic Liposuction which uses a different cannula that actually melts the fat, thereby easing its removal. In the majority of 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. The length of the surgery depends on which procedures are performed.
Post-Operative Care
After the procedure, most patients are very comfortable. 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 patients are 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.