Tight Waistband?

Tumescent liposuction is an excellent treatment for flattening the abdomen. Removing the fat underneath the skin results in skin tightening. Even with lax skin, skin removal (abdominoplasty) is often not necessary. Request a full consultation and evaluation of the abdominal area to see if you are a candidate.

Why are diet and exercise often not successful in re-shaping a problem area?

Dieting will reduce total body fat, but is not capable of targeting particular deposits of fat. In fact, most people have areas of fat that are more susceptible to fat breakdown and other areas that are resistant. Sometime we figure problems get worse with dieting as the uneven loss of weight highlights the disproportion. One example of the problem is in women who tend to have fat in the hips andouter thighs. When they lose weight, they often lose it in their face, neck and chest and maintain the fat on the hips and outher thighs. This can make a “pear-shape” more pronounced.

Exercise tones muscles and increases your fat burning (metabolic rate), but does not cause fat to burn off a specific area. For example, studies have shown that spot exercise, such as abdominal crunches, does not reduce the fat in that particular area.

What is the solution to problem figure areas?

Tumescent liposuction is extremely effective in reshaping problem figure area. This type of liposuction is done completely with local anesthesia. Tiny “strw-like” instruments called cannulas are used to remove fat in a safe, effective manner. The body replaces the fat with fibrous tissue, which is very effective in pulling the skin tighter and makes it less likely that fat can recollect in the same area. In fact, if the patient maintains their weight, the results are permanent.

There are no injections, lasers, or other devices that can compare with the safety and efficacy of tumescent liposuction.

Is liposuction safe? Is it considered a major procedure?

Liposuction with only local anesthesia is extremely safe. Our office was involved in a survey study, published in 2003 in the Dermatologic Surgery Journal, reviewing the safety of tumescent liposuction over a seven year period. The study reported over 66,000 cases done with tumescent technique liposuction in which there were no deaths and extremely small incidence of adverse events (<.01%).

Liposuction with local anesthesia can be done safely in the office. The patients are awake and have none of the ill effects of heavy sedation or anesthesia. Recovery is rapid and patients return to normal activities typically within 2-3 days.

Should liposuction be done in the hospital?

Tumescent liposuction is very safely performed in the office. One of the disadvantages of the hospital for an elective procedure is the added risk of exposure to hospital based infection, which can be serious and difficult to treat. Our facility offers the dual advantage of being removed from the hospital environment, but being a hospital practice. As a hospital associated practice, our facility is approved by the Joint Commission and must maintain all the standards of care, safety and follow-up required in the hospital setting.

How do I know that I am a good candidate?

If you have an area that has always been a problem for you and that you have to buy larger sized clothing to fit the disproportionate area when that size elsewhere is too large, then you should get evaluated. Even if there is excess skin in the area, often removal of skin is not necessary. The removal of the fatty layer beneath lax skin causes it to retract and tighten.

To schedule a personalized consultation with one of our cosmetic consultants and our physicians, let our office know. We would be happy to accommodate you.