Liposuction is Dr. Hoefflin’s most commonly requested cosmetic surgery procedure. It has become increasingly appealing because of its ability to target problem areas of unwanted fat with accuracy and control. With new techniques and industry advancements, liposuction now requires less recovery time, is less painful, and is much safer than ever before.
Patients interested should note that liposuction is not a weight loss tool. Ideal liposuction candidates are those at a healthy weight who simply wish to refine and add contour to their appearance by eliminating stubborn pockets of fat that are unresponsive to diet and exercise.
Liposuction is most commonly performed on the abdomen, waist, love handles, hips, saddle bags (outer thighs), inner thighs, knees, neck (under the chin), and the ankles. Dr. Hoefflin utilizes the newest advances in technology to redefine and sculpt these areas for his patients. In addition to traditional liposuction, Dr. Hoefflin also uses the SlimLipo and Vaser Liposelection techniques which provide the added advantage of significantly less post-operative bruising and swelling for a faster healing and recovery.
Dr. Hoefflin specializes in many other body contouring procedures, including tummy tucks, arm lifts, breast augmentations, breast lifts, Mommy Makeovers, SlimLipo, body lifts and plastic surgery after weight loss.
During the surgery, very small 1/4″ incisions are made strategically around the treatment area. The doctor then inserts a small suction tube called a cannula into the tiny incisions to extract unwanted fat cells. The incisions are exceptionally small. They heal very quickly and typically become almost impossible to see.
Dr. Hoefflin performs the procedures in his state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center which conforms to the highest credentials. Patients are either placed under local anesthesia with deep sedation or under general anesthesia, administered by one of our board-certified anesthesiologists. The procedure usually takes one to three hours depending on the size of the treatment area and the amount of fat to be removed.
Liposuction is a very safe procedure when performed by a properly qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon. The risk of serious problems after surgery are rare. During your consultation, Dr. Hoefflin will discuss any specific risks with you and determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. As always, you can reduce your risk of complications by closely following Dr. Hoefflin’s pre- and post-operative instructions.
To learn if you are a candidate for body sculpting, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.
Patients are sent home with compression garments to wear over treated areas. These garments keep patients comfortable, reduce swelling, and encourage healing. Compression garments are worn for several weeks after the procedure. Some initial discomfort is common but is easily controlled with oral medication. A self-massaging regimen or Endermologie® by LPG is recommended in the weeks following a liposuction procedure to help promote healing, diminish swelling, and speed the recovery process. Patients can get back to light exercise a few weeks after treatment. However, patients are advised to wait at least six weeks to return to more vigorous exercises and activities.
SlimLipo is a type of laser that uses a laser to liquefy or “melt” unwanted fat. The fat is then removed using the traditional liposuction technique. SlimLipo has the added benefit of being able to tighten loose skin. It is an excellent choice for patients who have particularly uneven areas of fat or for those with loose skin. An additional advantage to SlimLipo is that patients experience significantly less downtime as well as less bruising and swelling after the procedure. Most patients can return to work and their normal activities almost immediately.
Vaser Liposuction uses ultrasound technology to emulsify fat before it is suctioned from the body. The advantage of this type is that tissue, nerves, and blood vessels surrounding the unwanted fat are left undisturbed. The Vaser liposuction technology is especially useful in fibrous areas of the body such as the flanks, chest, waist, back, and bra rolls. The result is a smooth, contoured appearance with little residual swelling or bruising.
Liposuction is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic procedures. During liposuction, small suction cannulas are used to aspirate unwanted fat from resistant or hereditary fat pockets. Although not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle and proper diet, it can dramatically improve and sculpt your body appearance.
There are several liposuction techniques, including standard suction lipectomy, laser-assisted, Vaser Liposelection® (ultrasound), and Power-assisted liposuction. Each technique has its own inherent advantages. In all techniques, a small incision is made which facilitates a small suction cannula being inserted. A back-and-forth motion is performed beneath the skin, excess fat is broken up, and then aspirated out of the body.
Super-wet liposuction refers to the anesthetic fluid that is injected just prior to liposuction. It contains local anesthetic, saline, and Epinephrine, which all facilitate fat removal, reduced blood loss, and less bruising after the procedure.
SlimLipo®, or laser-assisted liposuction, is a revolutionary new technology in which a carefully calibrated laser is used to liquefy or “melt” unwanted fat, just prior to removing the fat with liposuction. There are numerous advantages with laser-assisted liposuction over traditional liposuction including significantly less downtime, less bruising and swelling, and greater skin tightening effects.
Power-assisted liposuction is a new technology in which the suction tip vibrates at a rapid speed during the liposuction procedure. This vibration loosens the local fat cells such that they may be suctioned away gently with less trauma to the surrounding tissues. Advantages of the power-assisted technique include improved safety, shorter operating times, less bruising and swelling, and greater precision.
Vaser Liposelection® precisely and efficiently removes unwanted body fat using state-of-the-art ultrasound technology. The fat is first liquefied and then gently removed with liposuction. This technique offers less trauma, bruising, discomfort, and swelling relative to other liposuction techniques. This technique is particularly effective in more fibrous fatty areas such as the thighs, hips, back, love handles, and chest.
The ideal liposuction candidate is a patient who is in good overall health, maintains a healthy lifestyle, but has one or more problems areas that are unresponsive to diet or exercise. Liposuction should not be viewed as a replacement for weight loss. Realistic expectations about the results of the procedure are important.
Liposuction is most frequently performed on the upper and lower abdomen, hips, waist, love handles, thighs, back, arms, neck, and chest.
The results of liposuction can be long lasting, but to maintain results, it is vital that you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. If substantial weight is gained after this procedure, the results may be altered.
The liposuction procedure is performed through inconspicuous 1/4″ incisions that become nearly, if not completely, invisible in time. Prior to liposuction, a local anesthesia solution provides patients with minimal postoperative bruising and swelling. Small meticulously placed sutures are used to close all incisions.
There are no substitutes for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as eating properly and exercising regularly. However, many patients, despite a low-fat diet and regular exercise routine, continue to have problematic areas of fat accumulation, or lipodystrophy. Liposuction can specifically treat such resistance areas of lipodystrophy.
Endermologie® by LPG is a FDA-approved, non-invasive technology to stimulate local blood circulation with deep, soothing motions to reduce the appearance of cellulite and assist with any swelling after liposuction surgery. The result is smoother and more sculpted.
Patients can return to light or non-strenuous workouts after several weeks, with a full return to all activities after four to six weeks.
Because liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure, it is usually not covered by insurance unless it can provide some therapeutic benefit.
We are interested in finding out all about you, and the look you are hoping to achieve. We must evaluate the areas you are unhappy with, and can advise you about what to expect with liposuction. We want to ensure that the procedure is safe, and will review your medical history with you. You will have the opportunity to get your questions answered, and to view photos of patients who have had the procedure so you can make an informed decision.
Any aesthetic procedure requires a deep understanding of muscle, fat, and skin structure, and to bring about exceptional results, an artistic eye. Board certification is hard to achieve, and requires up to sixteen years of post-high school education, a residency, as well as extensive examinations. It is your body -- you want your treatment to be performed by a top medical professional, rather than a less highly-credentialed physician.
Liposuction treatments are not covered by health insurance, but thankfully, we do offer various financing options to make it possible to slim and trim your body when you want to. Talk to us about our financing options in your initial consultation – we can help.
To learn if you are a candidate for liposuction or body sculpting, contact Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.
Get Started Send Us A Message