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Slimlipo

Slimplipo (Laser Assisted Liposuction)

SlimLipo is a type of laser liposuction that removes unwanted fat, but is less invasive than traditional liposuction. It is noted for its ability to melt fat in particularly difficult or uneven areas as well as for its ability to tighten loose skin. Good candidates for this procedure are individuals with loose, saggy skin, or those desiring a smoother contour and toned appearance.

Highly regarded for his artistic eye and attention to detail, Dr. Hoefflin performs SlimLipo on the abdomen, waist, love handles, hips, saddle bags (outer thighs), inner thighs, knees, neck (under the chin), and the ankles. The result is a more contoured and “sculpted” appearance, which can greatly improve a patient’s self-confidence. Dr. Hoefflin performs many other body contouring procedures including liposuction, tummy tucks, arm lifts, breast augmentations, breast lifts, Mommy Makeovers, body lifts and plastic surgery after weight loss.

About the Procedure

During SlimLipo procedures, Dr. Hoefflin uses a laser to liquefy or “melt” unwanted fat under the skin. The fat is then removed from the body using a very thin hollow needle called a cannula. The procedure requires only a few small 1/4″ incisions and is gentler and less invasive than traditional liposuction. Because the incisions are tiny, the areas where the fat was removed will fade and typically become completely invisible over time.

Dr. Hoefflin typically performs SlimLipo directly within his professional offices using local anesthesia. However, patients who choose to have multiple areas treated may opt to have the procedure performed under general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facility for added comfort. The procedure typically takes one to three hours depending on the desired level of sculpting and number of areas being treated.

Possible Complications

Laser liposuction is a very safe procedure when performed by a properly qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon. The risk of serious problems after the SlimLipo procedure are rare. During your consultation, Dr. Hoefflin will discuss any specific risks with you and determine if you are a good candidate for the 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 SlimLipo or body sculpting, contact board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.

Slim Lipo® Faq's

A:

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 the added skin tightening effects.

Tumescent liposuction refers to the anesthetic fluid that is injected just prior to laser-assisted liposuction. It contains local anesthetic, saline, and Epinephrine, which all facilitate fat removal, reduced blood loss, and less bruising after your procedure.

The ideal laser-assisted liposuction candidate is a patient who is in good overall health, maintains a healthy lifestyle, but has one or more body areas with fatty deposits that are unresponsive to diet or exercise. Liposuction is not a replacement for weight loss. We will educate you so you have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure.

Laser-assisted liposuction is effective in treating the same areas as traditional liposuction, including the upper and lower abdomen, waist, hips, outer and inner thighs, back, upper arms, neck, and chest.

After your liposuction, you’ll be discharged home with compression garments and gauze covering the treated areas. Follow directions on wearing the compression garments, typically for two to four weeks to help reduce post-operative swelling keep you more comfortable. After liposuction, you may experience mild bruising, swelling, and local discomfort from several days to several weeks after their procedure. Pain medication helps to keep you comfortable during healing. Endermologie® by LPG is begun several days after your procedure to help diminish any swelling, assist in healing and speeding your recovery. We will advise you about when you can return to vigorous exercise, which can vary patient to patient.

The results of liposuction can be long lasting, if patients eat a healthy, nutritious diet and continue an exercise regimen. If substantial weight is gained after the procedure, fat pockets can return.

The procedure is performed through small, inconspicuous 1/4″ incisions that become almost completely invisible as the area heals. Prior to liposuction, a local anesthesia solution (tumescent anesthesia) provides patients with minimal postoperative bruising and swelling. Small meticulously placed sutures are used to close all incisions.

Our patients are surprisingly free of pain due to the tumescent local anesthesia that is used during liposuction. Most patients describe the recovery process as a mild to moderate discomfort. Most patients tell us they feel much better than expected following their surgery and can return to work and social activities within several days to one week following their procedure.

Patients typically can return to light or non-strenuous workouts after a few weeks, with a full return to all activities after four to six weeks. Premature participation in strenuous activities can prolong your swelling and lead to unanticipated complications, so follow aftercare instructions carefully.

When performed by a properly qualified plastic surgeon, the risk of serious problems after SlimLipo® are rare. Most complications are minor, temporary, and can be easily resolved with conservative treatment and time. Complications may include bleeding, infection, skin burns, prolonged swelling, scarring, or unsatisfactory aesthetic results. Reduce the risk of complications and carefully adhere to your surgeon’s instructions, both before and after surgery.

You will be supplied with full pre-operative instructions, including medications to avoid, in the days and weeks leading up to your liposuction treatment. These instructions include quitting smoking as it can slow the healing process.

Because liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure, it is usually not covered by health insurance unless it can provide some therapeutic benefit.

Above all, we want to hear about what you want to achieve with the procedure. We need to ensure you are a healthy candidate for it through reviewing your medical history, and offer you the opportunity to look at photographs of our patients so you know what to expect. We are here to answer your questions, and to evaluate your individual condition to determine if SlimLipo treatments will be the most effective way to slim and trim your body.

Gaining certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons is a major accomplishment. Not only must the surgeon have gone through up to sixteen years of education and training past high school, the testing involved in certification is extensive, geared to ensure the surgeon has the skills to perform even the most complex procedures. Essentially, you can be confident that your plastic surgeon is highly-skilled, ethical, and has extensive training in all types of surgical procedures, both cosmetic and reconstructive.

Yes. Find out about our financing options so you can get the procedures you want at a payment rate that is reasonable and affordable for you.

You can read more information about our SlimLipo® procedure here. To learn if you are a candidate for the laser-assisted liposuction procedure, contact our offices for a complimentary consultation.

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