Liposuction

Plastic Surgery for Contouring: Liposuction

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a plastic surgery technique that utilizes a low suction/vacuum device to remove unwanted fatty bulges from the human body. Because the fatty tissue found under the skin is normally very easily removed, the procedure is performed with only a short recovery time and a low level of discomfort after this type of plastic surgery procedure. Liposuction revolutionized the treatment of excessive fat tissues, especially those difficult areas that are nearly impossible to improve or remove with diet and exercise alone. Because of its lack of significant scarring and rapid recovery, liposuction has become one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed throughout the world. Liposuction is not a substitute for a good diet and exercise regimen and should not be used as a means to loose unwanted pounds.

What is the most volume that can be removed with liposuction at one time?

As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Guerra, is concerned about your safety and satisfaction. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that no more then 5000 milliliters (5 liters) of fat tissue be removed during a single episode of liposuction performed in an outpatient plastic surgery facility. Removal of greater than 5 liters of fat is possible, but not recommended by our plastic surgery practice. Scientific studies support the fact that removal of more than 5 liters of fat at one time can lead to delays in healing, prolonged swelling, bruising, and other difficulties after liposuction, which can make your experience with plastic surgery less enjoyable. The average liposuction volume removed in our practice is around 3500 milliliters (3.5 liters) of pure fat. Liposuction is used in our plastic surgery practice to remove unwanted fat bulges and improve the overall appearance of the body. Dr. Guerra specializes in liposuction and has a broad experience in using various techniques of liposuction, including LipoSelection™, liposculpture and fat grafting.

What is the Tumescent Liposuction Technique?

The tumescent liposuction technique involves injection of several liters of normal saline (sterile medical salt water) which contains small amounts of adrenaline and anesthetic into the areas where the fat will be removed. The exact amount pre liposuction fluid injected varies depending on the total volume to be removed, in general, when more liposuction volume is planned to be taken away, then the more volume of tumescent fluid that is required. This pre liposuction fluid has three purposes; the anesthetic will help to “numb” the tissues during and after the liposuction procedure minimizing discomfort, the adrenaline with “tighten up” blood vessels minimizing blood loss and bruising with your liposuction procedure, and the extra fluid volume will help “break up” the attachments of the fat cells making it easier to remove the fat volume during your liposuction procedure. The pre liposuction fluid injection is performed 10 to 15 minutes prior to liposuction procedure after the patient has already been made comfortable by the anesthesia personnel.

What areas are most frequently treated with Liposuction?

Any area of the body in which we are able to store fat, such as, the neck, arms, thighs, legs, ankles, buttocks, tummy, love handles, back, breasts and chest can be treated with liposuction. In women, the most frequently treated areas include the thighs and tummy. In men, the "love handles" and tummy are treated most frequently with liposuction in our plastic surgery practice.

Who is a Plastic Surgery Candidate for Liposuction?

Almost everyone can be a good plastic surgery candidate for liposuction at some point in his or her lifetime. The best liposuction candidates are individuals who take care of their bodies and follow a good exercise regimen and a reasonable diet. When you have unwanted fat bulges and feel that you have done the best job possible in trying to remove these with exercise and diet, then you may be a good plastic surgery candidate for liposuction. Dr. Guerra firmly believes that with modern liposuction plastic surgery techniques it is not good enough just to remove the excess volume, but instead to create a situation where the patient has the best opportunity to become a smaller person, that is, to achieve a flatter tummy, a smaller waistline, thigh, or buttock. To achieve this, the individual must have healthy skin that will effectively “shrink” after the volume is taken away. Therefore, individuals with healthy skin usually make the best plastic surgery candidates for liposuction. This group of plastic surgery patients usually includes younger men and women who have not been pregnant or loss significant amounts of weight. However, with ultrasound liposuction, such as, LipoSelection™ some individuals with less than ideal skin conditions can still achieve a wonderful result with liposuction.

Can Liposuction tighten up loose skin?

If there is excess fat in an area and the skin above is healthy, liposuction can tighten the skin and produce a more sculpted and healthy appearance. If, however, the overlying skin is loose, excessive or has stretch marks it may be impossible to achieve a nice tight result with liposuction, even after generous volume removal. In such cases, we may recommend ultrasound liposuction, which can achieve tighter skin when compared to traditional liposuction. In other cases, we may recommend another plastic surgery procedure, which allows for removal of excess skin and tightening (for example, a tummy tuck). In general, most plastic surgery patients who benefit from liposuction are under 40. Most patients over 40 will require some plastic surgery procedure that requires surgical skin tightening.

Liposuction seems simple and safe. Are there any risks?

In the hands of a well-trained plastic surgeon, liposuction is very safe and effective. However, no plastic surgeon can deny that there are risks with liposuction and with most plastic surgery procedures. Thankfully, most of the unwanted side effects of liposuction are usually temporary and create no permanent troubles. Swelling and bruising is seen in every plastic surgery patient who undergoes liposuction and usually is gone by 2 weeks after this type of plastic surgery procedure. As with other plastic surgery procedures rare unwanted side effects of liposuction can include infection, bleeding and nerve damage. In addition, skin irregularity or waviness can occur if too much fat is removed with liposuction.