Liposuction
Liposuction procedures can improve the contours of various areas of the body by removing excess fat from under the skin. This treatment can be used to improve the aesthetic appearance of areas such as the neck, arms, chest, stomach area, back, flanks, buttocks, hips, thighs, and calves/ankles.
Procedural Illustrations [Click to enlarge +]
Procedure
Liposuction surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia. Many body zones, including the neck and tummy, are amenable this treatment, which can be performed under local anesthesia combined with gentle sedation with an awake client. If larger areas are being treated, it is more likely that general anesthesia will be required. All surgery is done at Dr. Payne’s MediCare and California State Certified Pueblo Nuevo Surgery Center located within his office.
Dr. Payne uses the tumescent technique, which is the gold standard for liposuction. Fluid containing local anesthetics and epinephrine are infiltrated into the zone of treatment. Small hidden incisions are used to inject the tumescent fluid and to subsequently remove the fat. Excess subcutaneous fat is carefully removed using a liposuction cannula. Deep fat is aggressively taken out, but the more superficial fat is preserved to maintain natural surface contours.
Results
Liposuction is a straightforward procedure for an experienced plastic surgeon, and it has lasting effect. Many clients are under the impression that body zones treated with liposuction will simply fill up with fat again as time passes, but this is not true. If clients gain weight they can put fat back into the treated zones, but even then the treated zones tends to look better than they did originally.
Liposuction is a powerful procedure that can transform the body and create dramatic improvements with natural-looking results. Tiny incisions quickly fade, leaving behind much larger areas now sculpted for optimal beauty. Most men and women have areas of fat on their bodies that they simply can't get rid of regardless of how strictly they diet or exercise. Liposuction is the perfect alternative for these individuals. Treatment options vary from a simple liposuction treatment of the neck or abdomen to multiple body zones treated simultaneously, including the arms, neck, chest, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs and lower legs and ankles. Liposuction is one of the most popular surgical procedures in plastic surgery and can truly deliver spectacular outcomes.
Skin quality is one of the main determinants of good liposuction results. Clients with plump, healthy, elastic skin tend to get better results than skin that is sun damaged or has many stretch marks. Liposuction results may also not be as good for a client who has had multiple pregnancies or lost considerable weight.
Liposuction is not a substitute for diet and exercise. It works best when clients are at or close to their ideal weight and simply have problem areas where they have excess subcutaneous fat despite their best efforts to eliminate unsightly zones. Clients who are overweight or obese can be treated with liposuction, but this surgery will not transform an overweight individual into a normal weight person.
Our bodies will continue to age after liposuction. This means more treatment may become necessary over time. Additional treatments may include facelift, breast lift, tummy tuck, butt or thigh lifts, or tightening of the arms (brachioplasty). The best way to deal with the aging process is to commit to a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough rest, avoiding excess sun exposure and making physically and psychologically sound life decisions.
After the Surgery
After liposuction, the client is placed into compression garments that are worn for three to six weeks. It takes about three months to see final results. During this three-month period, swelling steadily resolves and the skin tightens to accommodate the new improved contours.
In general, liposuction is well tolerated and most clients make quick recoveries. It is normal to have some postoperative discomfort and stiffness as well as bruising and swelling. Most clients need a few days to one week off work. By the end of the first week after surgery, most clients feel significantly better. Exercise may be resumed within one week.
Each client is given detailed written postoperative instructions and appropriate medications. Dr. Payne likes to see clients one to two times per week for the first three weeks or so to monitor recovery. He continues to follow clients until they are fully healed and back to normal.
