Changes to your exercise routine, stress levels or eating habits can create unwanted fat deposits around the body. Liposuction can help sculpt stubborn areas and improve your self-confidence. Located in Jupiter, FL, Koger Cosmetic Clinic and Medspa led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Koger, performs liposuction for Palm Beach County residents, including West Palm Beach, Vero Beach and Wellington.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, and neck. Also known as “lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy,” there are a number of new techniques available to patients. Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique and the super-wet technique are helping many plastic surgeons provide patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Liposuction can remove stubborn focal areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional weight-loss methods or exercise.
For men, common sites include under the chin and around the waist. Liposuction may also be used in the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.
The Best Candidates for IPL® TreatmentsThe Best Candidates for Liposuction
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Koger.
Planning Your Liposuction Surgery
In your initial consultation, Dr. Koger will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits are and assess the condition of your skin. Dr. Koger will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. He may recommend alternative procedures which can more directly address your needs, or he may develop a plan combining several procedures to achieve the best results.
Individuals considering liposuction often feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of options and techniques available today. However, Dr. Koger can help you decide which is the right treatment approach for you. Dr. Koger will consider effectiveness, cost, and appropriateness for your needs.
Types of Anesthesia
General anesthesia is usually used with liposuction. However, other anesthesia options may be available and can be discussed with Dr. Koger at your consultation.
The Liposuction Procedure
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used. There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome.
Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon’s preference. If many sites are being treated, Dr. Koger will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.
The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced.
- Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid, a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels), helps remove the fat more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery.
- Tumescent liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, usually takes significantly longer than traditional liposuction. The injected fluid contains anesthetic. Therefore, additional anesthesia may not be necessary. Large volumes of fluid (sometimes as much as three times the amount of fat to be removed) are injected. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or “tumescent” state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.
- The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually, the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.
- Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique. UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures when enhanced precision is needed. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.
How much Does Liposuction Cost?
Each liposuction procedure is designed specifically for that patient. The cost can vary depending on the type of liposuction technique used, as well as the extent of the procedure. Dr. Koger will discuss the cost based on your procedure plan. For your convenience, we offer financing options via CareCredit® and accept cash, check, Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®.
After Your Liposuction Surgery
Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may be able to get up and moving following your procedure. It may be helpful to have someone drive you home after the procedure and help you around the house if your surgery is more extensive. Dr. Koger may have you wear a special elastic garment to help facilitate the healing process.
Getting Back to Normal Following Liposuction Surgery
You will begin to feel better after about a week or two, and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are internal and dissolve on their own. Any activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Dr. Koger will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed. If you have any unusual symptoms between visits or any questions about what you can and can’t do, call Dr. Koger’s office.
If you live in or around West Palm Beach, Wellington, Vero Beach or anywhere in Palm Beach County, and are looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform liposuction, contact Dr. Koger at Koger Cosmetic Clinic and Medspa in Jupiter, FL, today, to set up a complimentary consultation.