Liposculpture
What is Liposculpture?
Liposculpture is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted lumps, bulges and areas of fat using a thin suction tube (cannula) placed into the body fat through small incisions. A vacuum is applied through a hose attached to the cannula. This draws fat out of the body. Liposculpture is not intended as a weight loss technique, however it is commonly used to remove stubborn diet and exercise resistant fat deposits and to sculpt the body into a slimmer profile.
Is the fat permanently removed?
The fat cells removed will never come back. This is a permanent body sculpting. If you should gain weight after the procedure your existing fat cells may enlarge anywhere.
What are the areas most frequently treated?
In women and men, fat deposits may be formed beneath the chin, on the flanks, hips, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, knees, and legs. These are some of the areas where body contouring with liposculpture produces impressive results. The most frequently treated areas in women are the abdomen, hips, thighs, knees and neck. In men, the love handles, abdomen and enlarged male breasts (gynecomastia) are most often treated.
Who is a candidate for Liposculpture?
Generally people who have localized areas of protruding fat achieve the most dramatic results. Patients who are overweight can benefit from liposculpture. It is best to be at or near your normal weight. Good skin elasticity permits the skin to shrink easily to the reduced contour. There are no absolute age limits for liposculpture. It is very important to have realistic expectations if you are considering liposculpture. Remember, the goal of liposculpture is improvement, not perfection.
Can Liposculpture tighten up a loose neck?
If there is excess fat in the area under the chin and the skin is taught, liposculpture alone can produce a more sculptured, angular, and youthful jaw line. If, however, the skin of the neck is loose, hanging, or crepey, even if there is excess fat, liposculpture alone will not produce the desired result. Patients with loose skin usually require a tuck in addition to liposculpture.
How long is the recovery period?
For the neck area, a garment is worn for 60 hours. You could have surgery Friday afternoon and return to work on Monday. For liposculpture on the torso, arms, and legs, recovery depends on how many areas are being treated. In most cases the garment is worn under clothing 24 hours a days for three days, then 12 hours a days for ten days. You can usually return to work within 2-5 days.
What side effects are possible?
As with any surgical procedure, liposculpture is associated with possible side effects such as bruising, swelling, temporary numbness, and discomfort in the surgically treated areas. Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposculpture, this side effect is greatly minimized by the Tumescent Technique. The swelling gradually improves one to three months after surgery, with optimum results being apparent in about 6-12 months. Bruising varies from person to person, though noticeable bruising is usually gone within a couple of weeks. Because the Tumescent Technique minimizes the soreness following surgery, simple pain relievers such as ibuprofen are most often utilized. Serious complications such as blood clots, infection, or allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Why Dr. Kaplan?
As with most surgical procedures, quality results require the expertise of a skilled and experienced surgeon. With Liposculpture, knowing how much fat to remove, and more importantly, how much to leave in is critical. Dr. Kaplan has been trained in the “Tumescent” procedure by one of the top surgeons in the country and has successfully completed over 1200 procedures. Competence, patient satisfaction, and experience are all factors that should be considered when making your decision to proceed with any Liposculpture procedure.
While we’ve covered many of the frequently asked questions regarding Liposculpture and Body Sculpting, you may have additional questions regarding your specific situation. Feel free to call our office or visit the “Ask the Doc” section of our website. Dr. Kaplan will be happy to respond to email questions.