Liposuction

Liposuction was requested by close to 900,000 people in the past three years, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Both men and women interested in liposuction seek out the procedure after attempting other methods to lose fat in specific areas of the body including:

• abdomen
• hips
• buttocks
• thighs
• knees
• upper arms
• chin and neck

Dr. Weider performs liposuction, technically known as lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy", to sculpt body contours through a variety of methods. During consultation with Dr. Weider, you will learn about every aspect of the liposuction procedure, including:

• Techniques such as traditional liposuction, tumescent liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction and the super wet technique
• Learn about how skin elasticity and body firmness affects the procedure
• Anesthesia types such as lidocaine, sedation, local anesthesia and general anesthesia
• Guidelines to reduce the risk of complications
• Facility choices such as our fully accredited facility and surgical center
• Costs for liposuction, including: surgeon’s fees, facility fees and anesthesia fees

The Surgery

Dr. Weider performs liposuction to permanently remove specific areas of fat on the face and body. The time required for liposuction depends upon the number of areas to be treated and the type of technique selected for the procedure. During liposuction, Dr. Weider will make small incisions at key locations to access the treatment area.

• The traditional and tumescent approaches involve the use of a fluid injection comprised of salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels to help remove fat). The fluid injection reduces blood loss, provides anesthesia during and after surgery and reduces the amount of bruising following surgery.
• Super wet liposuction is similar to the tumescent approach, except the amount of fluid that is injected is less than the tumescent approach (the tumescent approach involves an amount close to the amount of fat to be removed).
• Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. The cannula creates an energized explosion of fat cell walls and liquefies the fat. The fat is then removed through the traditional liposuction technique. UAL is particularly beneficial for precision in fibrous areas of the body such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is required.

Aftercare for Liposuction

Dr. Weider will see you during the aftercare period to help ensure a comfortable recovery. Within a few days following surgery, you’ll most likely feel like returning to most normal activities. Dr. Weider will prescribe medication to ease discomfort throughout the recovery period. You may experience swelling, bruising, bleeding and numbness following surgery which subsides over time. You will be required to wear a compression garment 24 hours per day to help reduce swelling and bleeding. Dr. Weider will provide a list of instructions to follow in order to reduce the risk of complications. Complications are rare and can usually easily be managed by Dr. Weider when reported immediately.

You will be able to enjoy the benefits from liposuction within six to eight weeks of the procedure. Liposuction results may change over time, depending upon aging, weight changes, exercise regimen, diet and pregnancy. Scars will fade in time. The benefits of liposuction are generally greatly appreciated by Dr. Weider’s patients for many years to follow.