Liposuction, thigh lifts, and buttock lifts provide an
option for removing stubborn fat deposits that resist
reduction through diet and exercise. These procedures
can also be used to change general body contours. Usually
performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia
in 1 to 3 hours, body contouring procedures are considered
cosmetic and not covered by insurance.
Liposuction, or lipo sculpture, may be desirable if you
have excess subcutaneous fat which is resistant to diet
or exercise or if you wish to change the contour of your
body. We strongly feel that liposuction is not a procedure
for weight loss. Commonly involved areas are the neck
or beneath the chin, upper arms, chest, breast, trunk,
abdomen, hips, waist, thighs, inner knees, calves and
ankles. Ideally, patients are near normal weight and desire
some form of permanent contour change. The desired results
are permanent improvement in the contour and proportion
of the treated areas for a more flattering figure or physique
in or out of clothing. The procedure has an operative
time of 1 to 3 hours and is usually done on an outpatient
basis under general anesthesia for better safety and comfort.
Recommended treatment for:
- excess subcutaneous fat resistant to diet or exercise
- desire to change contour of your body
Recovery time:
Compression is advised for about a month as it greatly reduces
swelling. Pain level is usually a 6, with 10 being severe. Most
patients discontinue pain medications 4-5 days after surgery.
Bruising and swelling usually subside in 2-4 weeks and the final
results take shape in 2-3 months.
Body contouring encompasses a variety of surgical procedures. These techniques may be desirable if you have excess fat beneath the skin that is resistant to dieting and exercise. Body contouring is also helpful for those that have excess fat and sagging skin following multiple pregnancies or after a major weight loss. Common areas are the neck beneath the chin, the upper arms, chest, breast, trunk, abdomen, hips, waist, thighs, inner knees, calves and ankles.
The primary goal of these procedures is to improve the body contour and to enhance body proportion. These procedures are ot intended as a weight loss alternative. deally, patients are healthy and near a normal weight.
In the 2,000 plus body contouring procedures that I have performed, the majority of my patients have been extremely happy with their new body contour. I attribute these positive results to: - An individualized approach to each patient
- Careful patient selection process in an attempt to avoid unnecessary complications
- A motivated candidate with realistic goals for his or her contouring program
Treatment options are determined by the elasticity of the patient’s skin. If the skin elasticity is good, as in the younger patient, liposuction alone is often the procedure of choice. If however, skin elasticity is weak, as in the older patient or after major weight loss, liposuction alone can cause dimpling, requiring the additional procedure of skin tightening. The most common body contouring procedures are:
Breast Lift/Breast ReductionAfter multiple pregnancies or with natural aging, the breast mound can sag. Both of these procedures will raise and reshape the breast, however they differ in two ways: - Breast Lift is a cosmetic procedure, not usually covered by insurance. The procedure does not reduce the size of the breast.
- Breast Reduction is often covered by insurance and does reduce the size of the breast. In both procedures, the nipple is not detached in an attempt to avoid a loss of sensation to the nipple area. Incisions are usually placed around the areola and beneath the breast. The skin envelope is redraped around the newly formed breast mound to give a more rounded appearance. These procedures may also be helpful in the male patient after a major weight loss. The operative time for either of these procedures is approximately two hours and can often be done on an outpatient basis.
Liposuction (Liposculpture)  In the 1,500 cases I have performed, my preference is the tumescent technique, where I inject a large volume of fluid into the area to be treated to avoid excessive blood loss. With the assistance of ultrasound and vacuum, the unwanted tissue is removed through a hollow tube. In (fig 1) the procedure is done to remove excess fat from the flank area commonly referred to as “love handles.” For small areas this is an in-office procedure, for larger areas, a general anesthetic on an outpatient basis is required. The operative time is to 2 hours and the result is a permanent improvement in contour and body proportion.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A pregnancy or a major weight loss can result in loose, sagging or projecting lower abdominal wall tissue. This procedure restores the abdominal wall appearance by removing the excess tissue and tightening the waist and abdomen (fig 2). Any scars are hidden beneath the panty line (fig 3). Mini-Tummy Tucks are done in the office, however, the more extended procedure requires a general anesthetic in a surgical facility.
Thigh Lift, Arm LiftBoth of these procedures are usually done following a major weight loss, but may be appropriate in the older patient with excess skin laxity. The inner thigh skin can be treated by placing the incisions along the inner groin crease. The upper arm lift is one of the most requested procedures after excessive weight loss. The scar in smaller cases can be hidden inside the arm pit, but for larger cases, the scar is hidden on the inner side of the upper arm. The thigh lift requires an overnight stay in a surgical facility, but the arm lift is an outpatient procedure.

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Liposuction
Pre-surgery/Post-surgery
I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have or schedule an appointment for you.
Call 800.456.8222 or 715.833.2116 ext 2 or send me an email.
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