Liposuction Overview

Liposuction is a popular treatment that removes stubborn fat deposits on the abdominal wall, hips, and thighs when the area does not respond to a healthy diet or exercise regime. It is not, however, used as a method of weight loss. Results may also vary from person to person. Lipoplasty can also be used on the upper arms, face, knees, calves, and ankles. Liposuction can be combined with other surgical procedures and/or can be used to treat multiple areas of the body at a time. If you would like to learn more, please call and schedule a consultation today, and let us help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

Different Types of Liposuction at Elite Plastic Surgery

There are several variations on liposuction our plastic surgeons use at Elite Plastic Surgery, including:

Tumescent

A large amount of an anesthetic solution is injected into the fatty tissue. The fluid consists of local anesthetic lidocaine, a drug that contracts the blood vessels (epinephrine), and an intravenous (IV) salt solution. The lidocaine helps to numb the area during and after surgery, epinephrine minimizes blood loss, and the IV solution eliminates the fat more easily.

Super-Wet Technique

Being a short process, the super-wet technique is quite similar to tumescent liposuction. The only difference is that less amount of fluid is required during the surgery. In other words, the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed.

Power-Assisted (PAL)

This is liposuction performed using a power vacuum tool with a suction technique.

Ultrasound-Assisted (UAL)

This technique makes use of ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy the fat, thereby making it easier to remove. This technique can be applied to the upper abdomen, sides, and back. After liquefying the cells, they are vacuumed out. Being a longer process, UAL can be done externally above the surface of the skin with a special emitter or internally below the surface of the skin with a small, heated cannula. However, the risk of burns and scarring comes from the ultrasound waves.

4D Liposuction via VASERLipo

VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. This technology helps reduce pain and downtime by melting fat away and even transferring the fat to other parts of the body for fat transfer breast lift and Brazilian butt lift. Another benefit of VASER High Definition Lipo is the ability to target problematic areas with much more accuracy than traditional liposuction in order to help sculpt problem areas. High Definition VASER Lipo can even help sculpt the abdomen to create more defined, “six-pack abs.”

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Why Choose Elite?

Visiting Elite Plastic Surgery means treating you to a truly elevated experience. At our practice, we dedicate ourselves to transforming both your appearance and your experience and we’ve earned a reputation for excellence thanks to the leadership of our talented lead surgeons. Drs. Rozbeh Torabi, Radbeh Torabi, and Ramyar Torabi are board-certified plastic surgery specialists, each one bringing extensive training, a reputation for academic excellence, and a keenly developed artistic sensibility to the table.

If you’re interested in learning more about how liposuction can help you, or you’d like to explore the various additional treatment options we offer, our team is standing by and will be excited to help you begin your cosmetic journey. Simply reach out to our Chandler or Phoenix location and set up your initial consultation with a member of our team today.

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Common Areas Treated

Arms

Arm liposuction is the removal of excess fat usually around the upper arms in women. Sometimes, women (and men) have a natural upper arm build that stores and retains fat. Arm liposuction is much more common in women than men because many women want a more feminine physique versus many men wanting their arms to appear larger and more masculine.

Chin

Chin liposuction has been less common since the invention of Kybella. Elite Plastic Surgery uses Kybella, which is the best liposuction alternative for the chin. Kybella shrinks the fat from a “double chin” and will also shrink fat cells in the jowls, if needed, to give the effect of chin liposuction without any pain and downtime. This will help give your face a younger, rejuvenated, firm look in the neck and chin areas that store stubborn fat.

360 Lipo

360 Lipo is performed at Elite Plastic Surgery for patients when they need lipo performed around the abdomen (stomach) and posterior flank (love handles). Often, when women have 360 Lipo, they will opt to have a fat transfer breast augmentation and a Brazilian butt lift performed at the same time. We want our patients to understand that if you are considering a fat transfer breast augmentation or Brazilian butt lift, you will need a substantial amount of fat from the donor site, which is usually the stomach and love handles.

Thighs

As common problem areas, the thighs tend to store fat and cellulite. Thigh liposuction is often performed in tandem with a thigh lift, depending on the patient. At Elite Plastic Surgery, we offer lipo of the thighs and also Cellfina to help reduce cellulite. Cellfina is leading the way with cellulite treatment and is available at Elite Plastic Surgery.

Love Handles

Another problem area that produces “muffin top.” This is a common treatment area, and many of our lipo patients are very happy with their results.

Stomach

The stomach is one of the most common liposuction treatment areas. Depending on the amount of fat removed, Elite Plastic Surgery will be happy to help you with this problem area.

Bra Strap Fat (Upper Back and Chest)

This is becoming more and more common thanks to pop culture. It is very common for women to have some “bra strap fat” produced by their bra squeezing their upper backs and upper chests, beside the breasts and underarms. While this is very common, many women are opting to have “bra strap fat” removed at Elite Plastic Surgery.

Mons Pubis

The mons pubis is the pubic area above the genital area that stores fat and may sometimes become more pronounced after a tummy tuck or liposuction of the stomach. It is usually genetic and may be pronounced even when one has not undergone a tummy tuck or stomach lipo. Mons pubis reduction is also referred to as mons pubis liposuction.

Liposculpture

Liposculpture refers to body sculpting using liposuction along with other less-invasive reshaping procedures. Unlike conventional liposuction, the fat is not entirely removed. Only a part of the fat is removed as a part of the body contouring process, and a more aesthetic shape is sculpted.

For example, hips, knees, abs, chin, neck and jawlines without much fat can be shaped using the procedure by removing or reshaping a small amount of fat. Liposculpture removes or reshapes the fat in a way that causes the look and feel of the muscles to become more prominent and well-defined. While liposuction is about fat removal, liposculpture is a body contouring procedure, and there is no need for general anesthesia or IV sedation.

While the former involves the removal of fat in significant volume, the latter refers to a process of toning, shaping, smoothing, sculpting, and tightening muscles via the removal or reshaping of fat in lesser amounts using surgical liposuction, laser, or other minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.

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Do I Qualify?

Liposuction is most commonly performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, neck, and even on knees. To be a good candidate, patients should be in good health and experience:

  • Excessive (under 20 pounds) localized fat deposits that cannot be altered with diet and exercise
  • Disproportionate areas of the body
  • Good skin elasticity
  • Completed weight loss
  • No future plans for pregnancy

Age can be a factor in liposuction, as skin loses elasticity and firmness as we grow old. The procedure can be performed as long as your skin has good elasticity.

The Procedure

Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient procedure with the patient under local or general anesthesia. During the procedure, one or more small incisions will be made near the treatment site. A thin tube (cannula) is then inserted through the incision to loosen the excess fat, which is then suctioned out. The length of this procedure varies among patients, but it typically takes between one and three hours to complete.

Following the procedure, you should wear a compression garment for the first few weeks to reduce swelling and ensure optimal healing. You can expect minimal scarring at the incision site, but with proper scar management, it will be difficult to notice. In order for the results of liposuction to last, the patient should maintain a stable weight through a healthy diet and exercise.

Recovery Time and Healing

Complete recovery from liposuction takes one to three weeks, depending on the extent of the procedure. Using a pressure garment for at least three weeks encourages healing without sagging. Swelling and bruising begin to disappear after one to two weeks. Sutures are removed in seven to 10 days. Allowing the body enough time to heal is essential to enjoying the best results after liposuction.

Start walking on the day after your surgery. Our patients require optimum rest during the first two weeks, though they can continue with normal functions (you may return to work within two to three days unless there are complications).

Avoid strenuous exercise and exposure to sun and heat for six weeks. 

You may see changes after six weeks, but it takes six to 10 months before the final and best results of liposuction (body shape and contour) are discernible. The results of liposuction may last for years, and its outcome can be made long-term with stable weight and healthy habits. Changes in lifestyle, weight gain, pregnancy, and aging may influence body contours.

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Risks and Complications

Keep in mind that there are risks associated with liposuction, such as general surgical complications like swelling, bleeding, pain, infection, etc. There is also a potential threat of pulmonary embolism if loosened fat is left in the operated area. It may constrict flow inside blood vessels. Watch for a fluid imbalance and/or nerve compression if the standard aftercare protocol is not followed.

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Remove Stubborn Fat

Stubborn fat deposits can keep you from achieving the body you’ve always wanted. For patients who need assistance getting a slimmer body, schedule a consultation with our office today or for general information on this procedure, contact us on our website or call our office today!

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