Accent Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Liposuction (lipoplasty) is particularly well-suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have isolated pockets of fat that cause certain areas of their body to appear disproportionate. These localized fat deposits may sometimes be an inherited trait and typically do not respond to dieting or exercise. Liposuction is often the only way to eliminate them.

Fat is removed by first inserting a small, hollow tube, called a cannula, through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed as inconspicuously as possible, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected by tubing to a vacuum pressure unit. Guided by Dr. Craig, the suction device literally vacuums away the unwanted fat.

While it is possible to undergo liposuction at almost any age, you will obtain the best results if your skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour following fat removal. When skin is inelastic, as in some older patients, it may not redrape well and a skin tightening procedure may be necessary.

You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you have localized excess fat or if you desire contouring in any of the following areas:

• cheeks, jowls and neck
• upper arms
• breast or chest areas
• back
• abdomen and waist
• hips and buttocks
• inner and outer thighs
• inner knee
• calves and ankles

Liposuction may sometimes be used to treat a condition called gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which frequently occurs among both teenage and adult males.

Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for overall weight loss, nor is it an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin an uneven, dimpled appearance. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.

The day after surgery, you will need to move around a bit to promote blood circulation. Dr. Craig will advise you to limit yourself to these brief periods of gentle activities for the first few days. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you should not smoke for a while following surgery.

Your dressings will be temporarily removed within several days so that Dr. Craig can examine the treated areas. You will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. Swelling usually begins to subside a week or so following surgery, while bruising can last three weeks or longer. There may also be numbness in some areas, and it may take several weeks before feeling returns. If stitches need to be removed, this is typically done within ten days after surgery.

You may be able to return to work in just a few days. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities within one or two weeks and begin some form of exercise soon after. The timing of your recovery depends largely on the extent of your surgery.

The results of liposuction will be permanent, as long as you maintain your postoperative weight. Even if you gain a few extra pounds, you may find that the weight is distributed more evenly instead of accumulating in the areas that were problematic for you in the past.