Reading Liposuction - Liposuction for Fat Removal
In today’s world, in Berks County and elsewhere, looking and feeling good mean having a fit, well-proportioned body. For many people, however, that may seem an unreachable goal. Sometimes even a strict diet or a disciplined exercise program cannot conquer stubborn areas of excess fat.
For those who seek a smoother or better-proportioned body contour, liposuction may be the answer. Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face or neck. It is commonly used to remove stubborn, diet- and exercise-resistant fat deposits and to sculpt the body into a slimmer profile-to slim the hips and thighs, flatten the abdomen, shape the calves and ankles or eliminate a double chin. Liposuction is most successful in people who are 20 to 35, with good skin tone and with isolated collections of fat. Results are seen almost immediately and will continue to improve as swelling subsides.
You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you desire fat removal or contouring in any of the following areas:
- Cheeks, chin and neck
- Upper arms
- Breast or chest area
- Back
- Abdomen and waist
- Hips, buttocks, thighs
- Inner knee, calves and ankles
Before you decide to go ahead with liposuction, and before Dr. Ellenberger or Dr. Reedy can agree that you should, you need to understand (1) what will be done, (2) what you can expect during post-surgery recovery, and (3) the risks that come with this or any similar elective surgery.
Please contact Dr. Ellenberger’s and Dr. Reedy’s Berks County office, at Berks Plastic Surgery, to see if you are a good candidate for liposuction.
The Procedure
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. General or sedation anesthesia is used for safety and comfort. It is important to note that Dr. Ellenberger and Dr. Reedy work with a board-certified anesthesiologist-a doctor of medicine. A wand goes through a tiny incision to melt the fat. A second wand is used to loosen and suction the fat. Compression garments or taping are advised for about four to six weeks, to reduce swelling. Before your liposuction procedure, you must stay away from products that contain epinephrine-like drugs, including cold medications.
Recovery
Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. When general anesthesia is employed, patients normally require one to three hours of observation afterwards, before being discharged to go home. Full recovery from swelling and bruising takes a few weeks.
Risks and Complications
There are risks and possible complications associated with any surgery. In liposuction, irregularity of the skin is one, but it is greatly minimized by our use of small-diameter cannulae, along with massage of the affected areas immediately after surgery. Hematomas and seromas are abnormal localized collections of blood or inflammatory fluid after surgery. Adequate drainage of incisions can help prevent them. Hyperpigmentation can occur, but it usually fades and may be improved by bleaching creams; the patient must stay out of the sun until all bruising is gone. Swelling of the legs and ankles also can occur, and proper compression garments can minimize these effects. Extremely rare but severe complications can include blood clots, injury to abdominal organs, excessive blood loss, allergic reactions to drugs, and cardiac arrhythmias during general anesthesia. Caution: liposuction is not recommended for weight loss and will not produce any substantial weight loss results. Liposuction is best for treating localized areas of fat.
Dr. Ellenberger and Dr. Reedy take great care to evaluate each patient individually. They will advise you of your own unique risk profile, and enable you to compare it with that of liposuction candidates in general, before it’s determined whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
Plastic surgeons Dr. Ellenberger and Dr. Reedy can help you achieve your goals. They specialize in procedures relating to cosmetic surgery, including procedures such as facelift, breast implants, breast lift, breast reduction, liposuction and tummy tuck. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about liposuction, please contact us today.
Board Certified Surgeon located on PerfectYourself, a Breast Augmentation and Liposuction resource.
