Liposuction is a popular body contouring cosmetic surgery procedure to reduce stubborn fat deposits from specific areas of the body and create a sculpted figure.
Liposuction is commonly performed in areas such as buttocks, thighs, hips, abdomen, flanks, breasts, back, upper arms, calves, ankles and neck. The procedure may be performed independently or together with other surgeries.
According to the recent ASPS data, liposuction ranks as the number two cosmetic surgery procedure in the US after breast implants. Innovative laser, ultrasound and RF technologies have now been introduced to make liposuction more precise and less invasive. Outstanding and dedicated board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom provides liposuction to patients in Chicago, IL and surrounding communities in The Land of Lincoln.
Candidacy
An individual with the following attributes would usually make a suitable candidate for liposuction:
- Bothered by the presence of localized fat pockets, which are resistant to diet and exercise
- Desire to have more sculpted and proportionate body contours in specific areas
- Skin elasticity is reasonably good in the targeted sites, or the candidate is willing to choose skin tightening along with liposuction plastic surgery
- Body weight is within 20 pounds of the ideal weight and overall health is good
- Clear goals and realistic expectations
Procedure
Liposuction surgery is based on the suction principle to eliminate unwanted fat tissue from certain areas of the body. The surgeon will create small incisions in pre-determined, discreet locations. Through the incision, a thin cannula will be inserted to gently manipulate and dislodge the fat cells. Once the fat becomes loose, it will be suctioned out with a syringe or pump attached to the other end of the cannula.
The surgery known as liposuction is often performed using the tumescent technique. This procedure will only require local anesthesia. The surgeon will inject anesthetic solution and some medication before the surgery to cause the blood vessels to shrink. This will help minimize blood loss, and reduce post-op downtime.
Ultrasound assisted liposuction may be performed in some cases. The surgeon will employ a special hand-piece to transmit ultrasound energy to the deeper layers of fat to melt the fat cells. The technique is ideal for areas with dense or large amounts of fat to help ensure easier fat removal.
Liposuction with laser techniques is another popular way to get rid of stubborn fat tissue. Precise energy beams of laser will gently heat the deeper fat layers to disrupt the targeted fat cells and make their removal less traumatic. The surgeon will discuss the best treatment options with the patient depending on their anatomical and personal cosmetic needs.
Recovery
Most patients will require about one week of rest at home to recover after liposuction. During this period, they should perform short walks and light activities at home to improve blood flow. The surgeon may prescribe mild pain meds for a few days to keep the patient comfortable.
At the end of the first week, the sutures and drain tubes may be removed. Most patients can resume their normal activity or return to their workplace at this time. Profound cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bloom receives patients from Chicago, IL and other suburbs and neighborhoods in this part of the country for liposuction.