Liposuction
The Center for Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery
Liposuction is a body sculpting procedure that targets and removes pockets of diet and exercise resistant fat, eliminating trouble areas and giving the body more aesthetically pleasing proportions.
It's important to note that liposuction on its own is not an effective weight loss technique. The liposuction procedure is most effective at targeting isolated pockets of fat.
There are two basic procedures for liposuction currently in use: Tumescent liposuction and ultrasound-assisted, or ultrasonic liposuction.
Tumescent liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is a procedure in which the cosmetic surgeon injects the fat to be removed with a solution that both numbs the area and causes it to harden, allowing the fat to be targeted and removed more easily.
Tumescent liposuction can be performed under twilight anesthesia or a general anesthetic, depending on the extent of the procedure, as well as the preferences of the doctor and patient.
Ultrasonic or ultrasound-assisted liposuction
Ultrasonic liposuction is a process by which the cosmetic surgeon uses a cannula that emits ultrasonic energy, which loosens the targeted areas of fat, allowing it to be suctioned out easily and precisely.
Benefits of ultrasonic liposuction include the following:
- Ultrasonic procedures are ideally suited for liposuction of fibrous fats, such as those frequently found in the back and in the breast area for men with gynecomastia (feminine looking breasts).
- Ultrasonic liposuction causes less bleeding than any other technique.
- Ultrasonic liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia or IV sedation, reducing the risks inherent to anesthesia.
Ultrasonic liposuction is performed under local anesthesia and/or under twilight IV sedation.
Frequently Asked Liposuction Questions
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