Have you been dieting and exercising for what seems like forever? Do you still have stubborn fat deposits that are holding on tight to your tummy, hips, legs or thighs? You are not alone! For many people, this unwanted fat will NOT go away, no matter how many calories you cut or how many times you hit the gym. Thank goodness for modern technology! Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure, used to remove excess fat cells with great results and fast recovery. The best part? The results can last forever!
Is Liposuction the Right Procedure for You?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves the vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. Liposuction can be used to remove unwanted fat from many areas of the body including: hips, thighs, flanks, legs, abdomen, buttocks, arms, neck, face and back.
A good liposuction candidate has realistic expectations and is at or near his or her ideal body weight with specific localized areas of protruding fat. Sometimes excess skin is more of a problem than excess fat. When that occurs, you may be better off having a tummy tuck (alone or included with liposuction) instead.
Patients should be at least 18 years old and should not have significant medical problems such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes. It is important to understand that liposuction is a body contouring procedure and not a weight loss procedure. A patient must be within a short distance of their goal weight and must have a healthy diet and exercise routine in place to maintain optimal results.
Types of Liposuction
Make sure your plastic surgeon uses the latest liposuction techniques, including tumescent, superwet, ultrasound (UAL) and syringe liposuction, and during your consultation, you and your surgeon can decide which type of liposuction is right for you.
Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of salt water containing lidocaine and small amounts of adrenaline. This numbs the affected area and shrinks the blood vessels. This also has the effect of expanding the fat layer for easier removal, allowing the plastic surgeon to suction out both the water and the excess fat.
Ultrasonic liposuction is more properly referred to as Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL). UAL is a new technique in which a specialized liposuction cannula emits high frequency sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is removed.
Risks and Recovery
Liposuction is like all surgical procedures and involves certain risks including the possibility of infection, bleeding, blood clots, adverse reactions to anesthesia and unevenness of skin contour. Your surgeon will discuss these risks and how you can help to prevent them in your consultation. The procedure is outpatient and you will only receive very tiny incisions on the parts of the body that will be suctioned. Most people will experience a little bruising and swelling which will go away after a few days. Afterward, you will have a slimmer, shapelier figure and your self-image and self-confidence will soar through the roof! These dramatic results obtained through liposuction can be maintained for a lifetime by adhering to a healthy diet and exercise program.
If you are ready to eliminate those stubborn fat pockets, call our office today for a free consultation. With over 22 years of experience, Dr. Huddleston is the leading plastic surgeon for liposuction in Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol.
