Liposuction

Quick Facts (liposuction):
Cost: $2,000-$5,000
Procedure duration: 1-2 hours per area treated.
Intensive Healing: 3-5 days
Total Healing Time: 4-6 weeks
Anesthesia: The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia with light sedation, local anesthesia and deep sedation, or general anesthesia.

Liposuction is a procedure that results in the removal of unwanted fat from specific regions of the body. It is an effective procedure and the most common cosmetic procedure performed in America. Not surprisingly, it is affordable, rewarding, and a safe way to lose problem areas of fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. Liposuction may be done alone or in combination with another cosmetic procedure. Areas commonly treated include the abdomen, the sides, the middle and outer thighs and the legs. Other regions treated by liposuction are: the chin and neck, the arms, the back, the buttocks and the male breasts. Liposuction improves body contour by removing fatty deposits. It is not a substitute for weight loss. Patients with good skin elasticity may expect a good result. If loose or hanging skin exists in areas being treated, other techniques may be helpful.

The Surgery

Liposuction is generally performed in an outpatient surgical facility under a general anesthetic, although occasionally a small area may be suctioned under a local anesthetic along with  sedation. Incisions are made in inconspicuous skin folds whenever possible. It must be understood that only the layer of fat between the skin and the underlying muscle (the amount you can pinch before surgery) can be suctioned.

The tumescent liposuction technique is used to minimize bruising, swelling, and post-operative pain. The tumescent technique utilizes large volumes of saline that contains local anestheticin combination with adrenaline. Adrenaline temporarily closes the small blood vessels in the fat in order to prevent bleeding. This also helps prevent post-operative bruising.

Bruising and swelling are to be expected after the operation. The bruising usually subsides within one to two weeks. However, the swelling dissipates in anywhere from two weeks to three months depending on the patient and the area treated.

 

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