Liposuction

Liposuction is a great procedure to contour the body and remove areas of stubborn fat deposits that don’t seem to change despite diet and exercise, but it IS NOT a weight loss procedure. Liposuction may be performed on almost any area of the body, although there are some areas that are more difficult to treat. Once the fat cells are removed, they do not grow back. However, since human fat cells grown in size but not in number, you can still have fat accumulation in areas of prior liposuction should you gain weight.

CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION

The best candidates are healthy, non-smokers who have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind. At the time of your consultation your goals, the procedure and the routine post operative healing process will be explained in detail, and all of your questions will be answered. A good result from liposuction depends on three events:

1. First and easiest to understand is fat removal.
2. Second is the formation of the scar tissue where the fat was removed which allows the skin to adhere and create a new contour. This is helped by wearing a compression garment.
3. Third is the ability of your skin to be elastic and shrink to accommodate the removal of fat. This too is helped by wearing a compression garment after surgery. Areas of skin with lots of stretch marks will not shrink well after surgery. The ability of your skin to shrink is somewhat age related and is not always predictable. Techniques to stimulate skin shrinkage may be required to improve results. This is why wearing a compression garment over the treated area must be used for several weeks or longer. Cellulite in women is due to particular arraignments of the fat cells. It is found in certain genetically predetermined areas of the body. The posterior thigh and buttock area are the most common regions. There is no long term improvement of cellulite from traditional liposuction. If fine small cannula techniques are used with superficial suction, the cellulite appearance may or may not be improved.

LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE

Dr. Lynam uses the tumescent or super wet technique of liposuction. He injects a dilute fluid of local anesthetic, saline and epinephrine into the areas of desired fat removal. Using small specialized suction cannulas inserted through several tiny ¼ inch incisions, the fat is removed using suction. A machine and/or syringe provides the suction needed for the procedure, either technique may be used depending on the area treated.

Ultrasonic or laser-assisted liposuction involves the use of high frequency energy to help breakup fat cells. It has the complications of burning and scarring the skin, so we feel with proper cannula selection we can achieve an excellent result without the risks of skin burns or scarring. For patient safety, we limit the removal of fat to 5 liters.

Liposuction may be used to reduce fat deposits to the following areas:

• Neck	• Abdomen and waist
• Upper arms	• Hips and buttocks
• Breast of chest area	• Thighs (inner and outer)
• Back	• Inner knees

You will be placed in a compression garment following surgery. Liposuction procedure is done on an outpatient basis, taking 1-3 hours to perform depending on the number of sites being treated and is done under general anesthesia.

AFTER LIPOSUCTION SURGERY

During the first 24-48 hours following surgery, excess liposuction fluid and liquefying fat cells drain from the small skin openings. The day following surgery you may shower. You should wear the compression garment 23 of the 24 hours of the day including to bed at night for the first week. Beginning week two, a spandex-type garment that applies a lesser amount of pressure is recommended to wear at least 12 hours a day for an additional 2-3 weeks of compression. The goal is to train the skin so it shrinks and redrapes over the areas of fat removal and adheres at its new position. You may return to work in 1 week.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for liposuction procedure is to schedule a consultation. You will learn what are reasonable expectations for the goals you wish to achieve.