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What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is an incredibly versatile body contouring treatment that can eliminate stubborn pockets of body fat, including the buttocks, hips, love handles, thighs, calves, back, arms, breasts, and neck. It can also be combined with other procedures to create optimal results. Liposuction procedures are some of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures by plastic surgeons each year because of its tremendous ability to remove unwanted fat.
Liposuction Benefits
A liposuction procedure is one of the most effective ways to target specific areas of fat. Many patients try to lose weight through traditional means but find that they don’t lose fat in certain areas. This surgical procedure can tone and contour areas of excess fat for better clothing fit, higher confidence, and fewer side effects such as chafing or skin rash.
Who is a Candidate?
Individuals who have areas of stubborn fat that cannot be eliminated by diet and exercise can benefit from liposuction. Liposuction patients should have minimal saggy skin, be within 20 pounds of their ideal weight, and be physically healthy. Those who are planning on significant weight loss or pregnancy in the future should wait to receive liposuction. It is important to understand that liposuction is not a weight loss solution for those who are obese.
Preparing for Liposuction
During a consultation with Dr. Fichadia, you will discuss your goals for treatment at length. Dr. Fichadia will listen to your concerns and help you select the best path forward with liposuction. She will examine your treatment area and assess the quality of your skin and the amount of unwanted fat that can be safely removed. Poor skin elasticity may mean you need an additional lift procedure. She will help you understand more about liposuction, its risks and rewards, and your various plastic surgery options available.
The Procedure
Traditional liposuction uses a small, blunt-tipped tube called a cannula which is inserted through small incisions in the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth under the skin to target fatty deposits, which are then suctioned out. Tumescent liposuction (called traditional liposuction) is the most commonly used technique. It entails the use of a “wetting solution” made of a local anesthetic and other fluid medications which are injected before the procedure to shrink or constrict blood vessels.
For a small area, liposuction can be done under local anesthesia with minimal blood loss and post surgical pain. We use this technique for limited area liposuction in clinic, such as for chin liposuction. For larger areas, it is done with sedation or general anesthesia as a day surgery. Occasionally, Dr. Fichadia will suggest using the removed fat to enhance your natural curves by injecting the fat back in your buttocks (Brazilian butt lift) or breasts (breast augmentation by fat grafting).
Results and Recovery
You will be discharged 1-2 hours after your surgery. Compression garments should be worn to help diminish swelling and support your new body contours. For the first two weeks, straining, lifting, and bending over should be avoided. Most patients can return to work within a few days, though recovery will vary from patient to patient depending on the amount of fat removed. It can take several months for the swelling to fully subside and final results to be visible.
If you are interested in learning about your liposuction options in Portland, OR, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fichadia.
Risks of Liposuction
As with other plastic surgery procedures, liposuction comes with some risk. More common risks include bleeding, numbness, scarring, bruising, and contour irregularities. More serious risks include fluid buildup, infection, anesthesia complications, and fat embolism. Dr. Fichadia will give you the most up-to-date information on these risks and help you make an informed choice. Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon for your body contouring procedure is the best way to ensure a low-risk result.
Liposuction Combination Procedures
Liposuction can be performed on its own, or it can be combined with other plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Fichadia will discuss with you how to personalize your liposuction surgery if needed.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is an extension of liposuction. After fat cells are collected through liposuction, they are carefully prepared and injected into another area such as the face, breasts, or butt. This can provide additional contouring and further enhance your figure.
Mommy Makeover
The mommy makeover is a combination of procedures aimed at restoring your body after pregnancy. Liposuction is a common addition to this procedure because it can remove stubborn “baby weight.”
Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck removes loose skin from the abdomen and tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. Liposuction can be combined with this body contouring surgery to further contour areas like the stomach, hips, thighs, and flanks.
What to Expect From a Liposuction Consultation
During a consultation with Dr. Fichadia, you will discuss your goals for treatment at length. Dr. Fichadia will listen to your concerns and help you select the best path forward with liposuction. She will examine your treatment area and assess the quality of your skin and the amount of unwanted fat that can be safely removed. Poor skin elasticity may mean you need an additional lift procedure. She will help you understand more about liposuction, its risks and rewards, and your various plastic surgery options available.
Liposuction FAQs
How dangerous is liposuction?
How much weight can you lose with liposuction?
Does liposuction help belly fat?
Does liposuction really work?
How much does it cost to get liposuction on your stomach?
How do you shower after liposuction?
Are you put to sleep for liposuction?
Can I get liposuction if I am overweight?
Can visceral fat be removed?
Does fat come back after lipo?
Does liposuction get rid of cellulite?
How do I prepare for liposuction?
How long do you drain after liposuction?
Is there a weight requirement for liposuction?
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
