Liposuction


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Liposuction

Liposuction
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have

Liposuction
Liposuction is the removal of fat from areas of the body. Typically, liposuction is performed on fairly small, troublesome areas that are resistant to a healthy diet and exercise program. Although there are many different types of liposuction, the basic procedure involves passing a hollow tube called a cannula back and forth through the fat and then suctioning the fat through a vacuum to remove it from the body.

Liposuction for men varies in several ways from liposuction for women. Men tend to accumulate fat in the torso (chest and back), abdomen (belly), and flanks (love handles), while women tend to accumulate fat in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. In addition, tissues of the back, flanks, and chest are more fibrous than other areas of the body and can be more difficult to remove. The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are experts in the subtleties required to perform male liposuction, as well as the specific differences in how men recover from liposuction.

Not only are the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery experts in the science and art of male liposuction, they are also the first surgeons in the Washington DC area certified to perform LipoSelection, a revolutionary alternative to liposuction. This state-of-the-art technique uses ultrasound to precisely target the fat cells you want removed, leaving the important tissues - such as nerve, blood, vessels, and connective tissues - largely undisturbed. Both liposuction and LipoSelection are primarily used on the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, back, knees, neck, and chin.

Working with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can determine the very best procedure for you and be assured that your surgery will be safe, your recovery comfortable, and your results just what you desire.

Are You A Good Candidate for Liposuction?
The ideal candidate for both liposuction (and LipoSelection) is within 10 to 15% of their target body weight, exercises regularly, consumes a healthy diet, and has fat deposits that have been resistant to dieting and exercise. Patients with chronic medical conditions should avoid liposuction, especially in the case of heart or kidney disease. At your initial consultation with the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be evaluated and the appropriate procedure for achieving the results you desire will be determined.

Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your liposuction procedure, you will have a lengthy meeting with the doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. At this initial consultation, the doctors will discuss in detail how liposuction is performed, explain the option of LipoSelection, and determine which procedure is right for you. The areas you'd like to have worked on will be evaluated and you will discuss how you want these areas to look after surgery. All your questions will be answered and the specific limitations of the surgery will be discussed.

The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery doctors and staff will:
� Review the liposuction and LipoSelection procedures
� Clearly discuss the potential risks of each procedure
� Outline in detail how each procedure is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after each procedure
� Provide detailed cost and payment information
� Answer all your questions

You will be asked to provide:
� Details about your medical history
� A list of all medication you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
� Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol use

How The Procedure Is Performed Unless your liposuction surgery is extensive, it will be performed at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI), where the doctors and staff are dedicated to your complete comfort during and after the procedure. If your procedure is extensive, it will be performed at one of the area hospitals where the doctors operate. In most cases, local anesthesia with sedation can be used. The surgery usually takes between one to five hours to complete, depending on the extent of the areas being treated. The anticipated length of your procedure, as well as the anesthesia to be used, will be discussed with you at your initial consultation.

To begin the procedure, the doctor makes an incision in the area to be treated and injects a wetting solution into the area to numb it and to minimize the chance for blood loss. The doctor then inserts a hollow tube called a cannula into the incision. The cannula is moved back and forth under the skin through the fat to separate the fat from the other tissues of the body. Once the targeted fat cells are separated, a small vacuum is used to suction the fat from the body.

Stitches are used to close the incision and gauze dressings and tape are applied over the surgical area. In some cases, surgical drains are inserted to help drain fluids from the site of the incision. You will be provided with instructions on how to care for the drains. A liposuction compression garment is placed over the surgery area to squeeze the body fluids disturbed during the liposuction procedure back toward deeper tissues to reduce swelling.

What To Expect After Your Surgery
Activity When

Shower or Bath Two to Three Days After Surgery

Back to Work Three to Four Days After Surgery

Swimming or Soaking Seven Days After Surgery

Alcohol Not for the First 48 Hours After Surgery

Normal Activities As Soon as You Feel Comfortable

Low Impact/Light Aerobic exercise Three to Five Days After Surgery

Fading of Scars Several Months

Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, liposuction surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. You usually go home shortly after your surgery is completed. Even though the incisions look small, liposuction affects lots of tissue beneath your skin. Though hidden, the result is a large wound that your body needs to repair. Because of this, the surgical area will be very sore, bruised, and swollen. It is important to have someone drive you home after your surgery and to stay with you for the first few days after the surgery. Pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate as much post-surgery pain as possible.

The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate as much of the discomfort as possible. There will also be a good deal of swelling and bruising. To help reduce the swelling and promote healing, it is important that you wear the special liposuction compression garment that was placed over the surgical area at all times for the first two weeks after your surgery and then 12 hours a day for the second two weeks. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days.

During your recovery, do not apply ice packs or heating pads without calling the doctor for approval. It is also important not to soak in a bath, Jacuzzi, or swimming pool for at least seven days after your surgery in order to avoid infection. If drains were inserted into the surgical area during your liposuction, they will be removed within a week of your surgery. You can shower the day after the drains are removed. If no drains were used, you can shower two to three days after your surgery.

The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first few weeks after your surgery. In fact, you can most likely resume all normal activities within two to three weeks of surgery.

� You may experience temporary swelling, bruising, and tenderness. These conditions are all normal and in most cases disappear within six weeks of surgery.
� You can shower or bathe as soon as the drains are removed or, if no drains were used, two to three days after surgery.
� You can generally resume light exercise within three weeks of surgery.

Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:

� You can most likely return to work or school within three to four days of your surgery, depending on how extensive your procedure was.
� You should walk every day, beginning the day after your surgery to promote fast and effective healing.
� You can resume driving as soon as you experience no pain.
� You can most likely return to your physical exercise program within two weeks of your liposuction. Our patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
� The scars caused by the incision should be protected from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.

Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
� You may experience a loss of sensation or numbness in the area of your surgery. This is entirely normal and may take several weeks to disappear.

� The skin in the area of your surgery may appear shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to a normal appearance.

� You may notice a tingling sensation in the surgical area. This feeling is a result of the healing of the nerves in the area and will go away within several months of your procedure.

� Some swelling will last for several months, and your size may actually get larger before it gets smaller.

� The final results of your surgery may not be apparent for up to six months after the procedure.

What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks?
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with liposuction surgery. During your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, your individual risks will be assessed and discussed. As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks by closely following the pre and post-surgery instructions provided to you. And the doctors and staff of the Institute will be with you every step of the way to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome. Most likely risks include the following.
� Infection
� Contour irregularities
� Burns from ultrasonic liposuction
� Long-term swelling
� Scarring

How Long Will the Results of Your Liposuction Last?
With liposuction, you can achieve the chest, back, and abdominal contour you desire. Although there are limits to the amount of tissue that can be removed, in most cases you can achieve the results you hope for. The localized removal of fat is permanent; however, large weight gain or frequent fluctuations in weight will affect how long the results last.

Questions You May Have
� Are there other procedures that could be done along with liposuction surgery to enhance the contour of my body?
If more extensive reshaping and contouring are required, you may elect to undergo a variety of additional contouring surgeries such as a tummy tuck or pectoral implant surgery. These options will be discussed with you during your initial consultation.

You may also elect to undergo LipoSelection as an alternate to liposuction. This state-of-the-art technique uses ultrasound to precisely target the fat cells you want removed, leaving the important tissues - such as nerve, blood, vessels, and connective tissues - largely undisturbed. The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are the first surgeons in the Washington DC region certified to perform LipoSelection.

� Will my insurance coverage pay for my liposuction surgery?
Liposuction surgery is considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, is not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment of the procedure. Cost and payment information will be fully discussed with you during your initial consultation.

� Are there alternatives to liposuction surgery?
Options for reducing the amount of fat deposits include weight loss and exercise, especially toning exercises. In addition, other procedures such as pectoral implants, tummy tuck, or LipoSelection can also be performed to enhance overall appearance.

� If I gain weight, will it go to other areas?
The treated areas have had a permanent reduction in their fat volume. These areas have been brought into harmony with other areas of the body. If you do gain weight, you will see a more proportional gain rather than localized and preferential enlargement of your "trouble areas."