It seems as if every time you turn around there is a "new, guaranteed to work"
diet. Let's face it, we've all tried to look for ways to loose weight, from medication,
to herbs, to sweat devices, garments, ab- roller... but the bottom line is, there
is no permanent reduction of fat cells short of liposuction.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat from under the
skin through a small incision no bigger than a quarter of an inch. Your plastic
surgeon uses a tube or cannula connected to a suction machine. Popular places
to perform suction are the neck, arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, inner and outer
thighs, and knees. Liposuction is used to sculpt or contour the body and improve
the shape or silhouette. It works best for patients who have localized fat with
good skin elasticity, have realistic expectations, and are at their ideal weight.
Liposuction will not tighten muscle or skin, nor is it a method for overall weight
loss. It is used in addition to but does not take the place of diet and exercise.
Removal of fat is considered permanent, however, if you gain weight the fat will
go to another location. Fat possibly can return in the same area that was liposuctioned
but not to the same extent. It is important to keep in mind that liposuction has
limitations. It will only remove fat under the skin. It will not remove fat that
is inside the abdomen or under muscle. Liposuction will not change bone structure
either. Therefore, your results may be limited to your own body structure. Consultation
with your physician is necessary.
Tumescent and Super-Wet Technique: a
method of liposuction where the doctor injects a large volume of sterile salt
water mixed with lidocaine (an anesthetic) and epinephrine (vessel constrictor)
under the skin prior to performing the procedure. This solution is used to: This
is probably the safest form of liposuction and can be used with suction-assisted
liposuction, power-assisted liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. Ultrasound-assisted
liposuction (UAL): a method of liposuction where an ultrasound cannula
is inserted under the skin to emulsify the fat with the use of sound wave technology.
It is followed by suction-assisted liposuction. Some advantages of this technology
include the ease of extraction of fat, and possible decreased blood loss. Some
doctors believe that UAL may add in skin tightening as well. It is the opinion
of Dr. Farella that there are increased complications with the use of this technique,
and other techniques are as good, if not better. Power-assisted
liposuction: Power-assisted liposuction uses suction and gas or electric
power sources to cause a reciprocating motion to help emulsify the fat for removal.
There is less blood loss and ease of extraction of fat using this technique. There
may be a more uniform removal of fat with the power- assisted approach that leads
to improved skin re-draping. The complication rate for this technique is similar
to suction-assisted liposuction. Suction- assisted
liposuction: Suction-assisted liposuction is a method of removing
fat by use of a small cannula or tube inserted under the skin through a small
incision hooked up to a suction machine. The emulsification of fat is performed
by the back and forth motion by the surgeon with the use of the suction machine.
Suction-assisted liposuction can be used by itself or in combination with PAL
and UAL. Dr. Farella prefers using tumescent technique with both suction-assisted
and power-assisted liposuction.
Risks and complications may include but are not limited to scarring,
bleeding, infection, rippling, skin contour irregularities, change in skin sensation,
pigmentation changes and swelling, asymmetry, the inability of the skin to redrape
correctly or snap back, fluid accumulations, pulmonary complications, skin loss,
chronic pain, and risks and complications associated with anesthesia. It is important
to remember that complications can occur, but are rare.
Risks and potential complications of surgery are best discussed at the
time of your consultation. Smokers have a greater risk of wound healing
and pulmonary complications. Following surgery, a compression garment is worn for a minimum of two
weeks to help decrease swelling and bruising, and promotes skin shrinkage. Patients
are encouraged to walk as soon as possible to help reduce the swelling and prevent
complications. Your recovery time is ten to fourteen days. You may resume light
exercise after two weeks. For high impact exercise (i.e. step aerobics, tae bo)
four to six weeks is recommended. Even though most of the swelling and bruising
will resolve in one to two weeks, your final result will be observed within one
year. Remember, liposuction does not take the place of diet and exercise, and
the patient must maintain their pre-operation weight or continue to loose weight
for the desired results. Surgery can be done as an out-patient, under general anesthesia, or
in some cases with IV sedation and local anesthesia. Surgery time is usually 1-2
hours depending on the extent of the surgery.
| Call for a complimentary
consultation: (914) 241-7111
Lexington Avenue Suite 104 - Mount Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 997-9090
311 North Street Suite 408 - White Plains, NY 10605
(718) 548-5200
3333 Henry Hudson Parkway Suite 1-A - Riverdale, NY 10463
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