Liposuction

Women and men who are not overweight but have isolated areas of fat they cannot get rid of through diet and exercise are good candidates for liposuction. Localized fat is often an inherited trait and liposuction is usually the only way to eliminate them. Liposuction is not effective for cellulite. Liposuction is effective on many areas of the body: arms; abdomen; hips; thighs; calves; ankles; and under the chin.

You will realize good results from this procedure if your skin has the tone and elasticity necessary to achieve a smooth result following fat suctioning.

Dr. Waslen will assess the quality of your skin and may ask you how your areas of localized fat were affected by weight loss in the past.

Fat is removed by first inserting a small tube (a cannula) through tiny incisions close to the area to be suctioned. Incisions are very small - usually under a quarter inch.

There are 2 methods of liposuction: a "tumescent" technique that introduces large amounts of fluid followed by liposuction, and an ultrasonic technique.

Though infrequent, some complications include bleeding, infection and reaction to anesthesia. Skin numbness is to be expected and is usually only temporary. It is possible, however, for some numbness to persist or even be permanent. Occasionally, there is skin discoloration in the areas that have been treated. Irregularities of the skin surface, including depressions or wrinkling can happen.

You will be asked to wear a compression garment for the first two weeks after surgery so that the tissue can "learn" its new shape.

You can return to work in just a few days, though you will still have some swelling and bruising; this subsides within 2-3 weeks. It may take several weeks before skin sensation returns.

It is not uncommon for a touchup to be performed later to further improve an area that has been suctioned.

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