Liposuction Overview - Frequently Asked Questions - Photos (Before & After) Procedure Overview Back to Top Suction assisted lipoplasty or liposuction is performed to remove unwanted fat in defined regions of the body. Commonly treated areas include the thighs, hips, abdomen, neck and arms. The technique has evolved tremendously over the past thirty years and now ranks first among operative procedures in cosmetic surgery in the U.S. Advancements in technique include the use of blunt tipped cannulas as well as "tumescent" wetting solutions that are infiltrated before beginning the procedure to limit bleeding and swelling while allowing the procedure to be performed safely in an office operating room under local anesthetic. Liposuction can commonly be combined with other procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and can be performed under general anesthesia where indicated. The ideal candidate for liposuction is a patient at or near his or her ideal body weight with localized fatty depositions in unwanted areas. It is not a treatment for obesity but best serves to contour the treated areas to eliminate fullness and create aesthetically pleasing lines and profiles. It is not a treatment for loose skin. Skin excisional methods such as thigh lift, abdominoplasty and brachioplasty are necessary to accomplish this. Frequently Asked Questions Back to Top What are the alternatives to traditional liposuction and do they work? There are a number of “new” alternatives to traditional tumescent liposuction. Ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) has been proven to be effective, however, the procedure is generally more expensive and has some additional risks as compared to traditional liposuction. For these reasons, Dr. Yates does not prefer UAL. Smart-lipo is another modification of traditional liposuction that uses a laser at the tip of the cannula to help remove the fatty tissue. There are additional risks associated with the addition of the laser and there have not been any studies to demonstrate a benefit. Mesotherapy involves injections of various substances beneath the skin with the purpose of removing fat. This procedure does not allow for a measurable, consistent amount of fat removal. Many patients do not see any improvement from this procedure. What should I expect from my consultation? The initial consultation can be anxiety producing to many patients. Knowing what to expect can hopefully alleviate many of those feelings. First you will meet with Dr. Yates for a personal consultation at which time you will express your goals and expectations. Your "problem areas" will be examined and photographs may be taken for your medical record and for preoperative planning. You should expect to leave the consultation with a thorough understanding of the procedure, risks involved with the procedure and expectations regarding recovery from the procedure. How is the procedure performed? The areas to be treated will be marked prior to going to the operating room. Sedation will be administered, you will be awake but quite relaxed. After the areas is infiltrated with solution to eliminate pain and minimize bleeding, small incisions (less than one cm) will be made in locations hidden by undergarments. Small cannulas are inserted into these incisions and the fat is removed. What should I expect after surgery? You will recover in the recovery suite for as long as necessary (usually less than an hour). You will then be discharged to home and will be given antibiotics and pain medications. Pain following this procedure is generally moderate and lasts for a few days. The incisions may continue to leak some of the fluid that was administered during the procedure for a couple of days. You may resume showering when this drainage has stopped. You will be supplied with a compressive garment that is to be worn at all times for six weeks to limit swelling and speed recovery. You may choose to purchase a spare garment. When can I return to work/exercise? Desk work can be resumed as soon as you feel up to it, usually around 3-5 days. Vigorous exercising and running may be resumed at 6 weeks. Does liposuction treat cellulite? Not really. Cellulite is caused from tethering of the underlying supporting tissues to the skin. The dimple is similar to a dimple caused by a button in a couch cushion or pillow. Although some cases of cellulite are improved by liposuction, it is important to understand that some cellulite can actually be accentuated by liposuction. Does the removed fat simply come back if I gain more weight? No. Except in cases of morbid obesity, our adult bodies have a fixed number of adipocytes (fat cells). As we gain weight those cells expand and enlarge but their number does not change. In other words, the removed fat cells are gone for good. Of course, it is still possible to gain weight after the procedure. If one were to gain weight following liposuction, the overall contour achieved with surgery stays fairly proportionate. Will I lose weight? Liposuction is not a procedure aimed at weight loss. You may find that you lose a small amount of weight, however the aim of the procedure is improved contour. What risks are associated with the procedure? Liposuction has become so common that it is easy to forget that there are real and significant risks associated with the procedure. The risks associated with liposuction are much greater when combined with other procedures or when large volumes of liposuction are performed. These risks can be best minimized by trusting only a board certified plastic surgeon with your safety. Dr Yates will thoroughly discuss the rare but potential risks at the time of your consultation.