Procedures
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Liposuction
At the Del Mar Cosmetic Medical Center, we use a variety of Liposuction techniques:
Tumescence
Tumescence is a treatment administered just prior to liposuction. It involves infusing the area to be treated with sterile saline to help plump the fat cells and distinguish the fat layer from overlying soft tissue and underlying muscle and organs, making the fat cells easier to remove.
SAL (suction-assisted liposuction)
All liposuction is essentially suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) - the removal of fat from the body through the assistance of some form of suction.
UAL (ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty)
UAL is a technique used in addition to SAL. UAL uses high-frequency ultrasound energy to literally rupture fat cells and dislodge them prior to suctioning. It is useful for larger areas of fat and areas of more fibrous or dense fatty tissue, such as the back, upper abdomen or male breast region.
LipoSelection is the preferred method of UAL. It uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology to precisely and efficiently remove unwanted fat and reshape your body. Only the LipoSelection procedure uses the patented VASER System to first liquefy and then remove fat from the body, providing smoother results. At the Del Mar Cosmetic Medical Center, we are proud to be one of the few surgical centers chosen to offer this advanced method to patients.
What are the advantages of having Liposuction?
Liposuction results in a permanent improvement in the contour and proportion of the treated areas. You can achieve a more flattering figure or physique, in or out of clothing.
It is important to note that Liposuction does not remove cellulite as cellulite is not fat, it is a web of fibrous bands that connects your skin to the underlying muscle.
Who is a good candidate for Liposuction?
- If you wish to change the contours of your body.
- If you have excess subcutaneous fat, which is resistant to diet and exercise.
- If you are near normal weight and desire permanent contour changes.
- Improved techniques in liposuction now make the procedure useful to heavier persons as well.
What does a Liposuction procedure involve?
Small suction tubes (cannulas) are inserted through very small incisions placed in inconspicuous locations near the fat deposits, and excess fat is removed. Commonly involved areas are under the chin, upper arms and armpits, male chest, breasts, back, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, buttocks, inner knees, calves and ankles.
How long does Liposuction take?
It depends on how many areas of the body are treated in a session. It can take 1-3 hours for a typical session.
How long does it take to recover from Liposuction?
You return home with a compression garment (or tape) covering the treated areas. Compression is advised for about a month as it helps reduce swelling and helps you achieve the final result more quickly. Once pain and soreness decrease, it is frequently more comfortable to wear lycra or spandex exercise pants.
When can I expect to see results from my Liposuction?
Results are immediate. There is some swelling initially which will decrease in the weeks ahead. The results improve over time - final results are usually seen in 2-3 months.
When can I go back to work/resume my normal activities after having a Liposuction?
You will be able to return and resume light activities and exercise in just a few days.
How long will the results of Liposuction last?
If you maintain your weight, the results of liposuction are permanent. Once fat cells are removed, they do not come back. A good amount but not all of the fat cells are removed, so if you gain a significant amount of weight, the fat cells that are there will enlarge and the treated areas will get larger.
What are my alternatives to having Liposuction?
Diet, exercise, non invasive fat removal, mesotherapy. Additional procedures that may enhance the result are Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Breast Reduction, Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, Thigh Lift, or Buttock Lift.
What are the risks involved with having Liposuction?
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.