Liposuction at Changes Plastic Surgery, San Diego
What Can Liposuction Do For You?
Liposuction, also known as suction-assisted lipectomy is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body. The many areas that can be treated include the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.
These procedures are performed by your triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Gilbert Lee, who has been voted by the San Diego Medical Society "Top Doctor" for the past 5 years running. Read more about Dr. Lee's qualifications on his CV.
Liposuction Photos
These liposuction photos were taken of a patient in San Diego who received liposuction at Changes Plastic Surgery. Please visit our complete photo gallery of liposuction performed by Dr. Lee in San Diego.
BEFORE
AFTER
Women most commonly have liposuction performed under the chin, on their hips, thighs, buttocks, stomach, and under the arms.
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.
Liposuction is a helpful adjunct to weight reduction, and is a method of removing localized fat that doesn't respond to dieting and exercise.
Determining Your Candidacy
The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas. The procedure yields the best results on patients who are physically healthy.
Suction lipectomy is not recommended if you've had recent surgery on the spot to be sculpted, if you have poor blood circulation in that area, or if you have heart or lung disease. Liposuction by itself will not improve the dimpled skin known as cellulite, but the contours in that area can be improved.
Potential Risks
Suction-assisted lipectomy is safe in properly certified facilities and with board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon, and the procedures are performed in a state licensed and Medicare certified surgical center, along with skilled anesthesiologists. These credentials help ensure the highest standards of care and your utmost safety.
Nevertheless, in rare instances, the procedure may cause severe trauma, particularly when multiple or very extensive areas are suctioned at one time. Other infrequent, but possible, complications include fluid accumulation (which must be drained) and injury to the skin. Although serious complications are infrequent, infection or excessive fluid loss can lead to severe illness.
The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view, even in a bikini. However, other cosmetic problems may occur. They may include rippling or bagginess of the skin over the treated area, and pigmentation changes (such as brown spots) that may become permanent if exposed to the sun. Asymmetry (uneven contour or shape) sometimes requires a second procedure.
Procedure Description
Suction-assisted lipectomy usually takes an hour or two, but the time required may vary considerably, from thirty minutes to several hours, depending on the area and amount being suctioned.
To begin the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision, just large enough to allow the insertion of a hollow tube called a cannula. The opposite end of the cannula is attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon manipulates the cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Sometimes additional incisions are needed to remove all areas of fat.
Fluid will be removed along with fat during liposuction, but your anesthesiologist will carefully monitor and replace the fluid lost intravenously.
Ultrasound Assisted Liposculpture Surgery
Ultrasound-assisted liposculpture and VASER, commonly known as "UAL", are excellent adjuncts to the liposuction procedure. A metal probe carries a high frequency ultrasonic energy that stimulates the fat cells and causes them to "liquefy." The advantage of this technique is that large volumes of fat can be safely removed with minimal blood loss and less bruising than with traditional liposuction. The results of UAL are usually smoother, decreasing the chance of contour irregularity, which sometimes occurs after traditional liposuction. UAL is particularly useful in melting fat from fibrous areas of the body such as the breast, abdomen, back and flanks. Your surgeon will determine if UAL or traditional liposuction is best suited for you.
The time required to perform UAL may vary considerably, depending on the amount of work you are having done. However, UAL generally takes longer than traditional liposuction because of the extra "fat-liquefying" step involved.
To begin the procedure, salt water (Tumescent fluid) containing local anesthesia and adrenaline is injected into the area to be treated. Then, a metal cannula connected to an ultrasound generator is inserted beneath the skin through a small incision. The ultrasonic energy causes the walls of the fat cells to break down, allowing the fat to flow out of each cell. The "liquified" fat combines with the injected fluid to create an emulsion, which is removed from the body by vacuum pressure.
You will probably be given some fluid through an intravenous tube to keep your fluid level balanced. Typically, only a small amount of blood is lost during UAL.
Post-Operative Care
After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions.
The side effects of liposuction surgery are discomfort, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. The discomfort is well controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.
To facilitate your recovery process, you will be dressed in a snug elastic girdle to control swelling, and to help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. You may need to wear this garment continuously for two to three weeks, then just in the daytime for a few weeks more, depending on your surgeon's instructions. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection.
The extra fluids you receive during surgery may cause you to be heavier for a week after surgery. After that, the swelling will subside, as part of the normal healing process, and your weight should drop. Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.
Recovery
Healing is a gradual process. It’s important that you start walking around as soon as possible (to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs). Avoid more strenuous activity for two to four weeks. Any stitches will be removed in about 5 days. You may return to work in 2 - 3 days, or as much as two weeks after your surgery depending on the extent of your procedure.
While most of the swelling and discoloration will be gone a month or two after surgery, some swelling can remain for six months or more. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress.
Your New Look
Suction-assisted lipectomy is a highly effective technique for achieving a new body contour with very little scarring. The results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly. If you do gain weight, you'll probably gain it more uniformly throughout your body, not just in the former "bulges."
Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction. They feel more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes, and more at ease with their bodies.
As healing progresses, a more proportional look will emerge. A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.
Go to our liposuction photo gallery.
Patient Testimonial
"Thank you all so very much for the wonderful experience I received while under your care. You’ve not only given me a new body image, but better self-esteem & pride in my body (not to mention physical relief!) I love visiting your office because you’re all very sweet and caring! Thank you Dr. Lee for the new & improved me, you did an outstanding job!" -Sarah
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