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Liposuction

Birmingham, Alabama

Liposuction was first popularized in the late 1970's. Over the past 20 years it has become the most popular plastic surgery procedure performed. After extensive study and research it has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for localized deposits of diet and exercise resistant fat. This brochure will discuss both the Tumescent Technique and Ultrasonic Liposuction.

The most common body areas sculpted with liposuction are the thighs, abdomen and neck. In fact, any area of the body with excessive fat can be suctioned including the face, arms, breast, buttock or knees. The women with excessive fat in these areas which does not respond to dieting and exercise is the ideal candidate for liposuction. If you are overweight and find you cannot stick to a diet or exercise program and see liposuction as a cure to your obesity, liposuction is not for you! Good skin tone is also important when considering liposuction.

THE TUMESCENT TECHNIQUE
The tumescent technique refers to the infusion of large amounts of physiological salt solution into the fatty tissue to be removed. Local anesthetic solution as well as adrenaline is also usually used which tends to diminish postoperative pain and generally minimizes blood loss during the procedure. When the tissues are full of fluid the fatty tissue is loosened from its surrounding attachments and is more easily removed by suction. This usually allows larger amounts of fat to be extracted with less bleeding. In certain patients, 8 to 10 times as much fat can now be more safely removed than was previously possible using "dry" liposuction alone.

ULTRASONIC LIPOSUCTION
Ultrasonic liposuction uses high frequency sound waves to liquefy the fat prior to removal. By "tuning" the frequency of the ultrasonic probe, fatty tissue is dissolved before the energy affects other tissues and structures. Many surgeons feel this technique is for patients who tend to have loose skin. Ultrasonic techniques are also used for corrective surgery in patients who have had previous liposuction and who have persistent areas of irregularity. Ultrasonic liposuction may yield better results in areas such as the upper inner thigh or the back. It is also particularly effective in removing excess breast tissue in men (Gynecomastia). Almost all liposuction procedures are performed safely and comfortably under general anesthesia as an outpatient. Some discomfort can be expected from any surgical procedure and liposuction is no exception. Most people find the discomfort transient and usually return to work within 3 to 5 days and normal activity within 3 weeks. We provide our patients with a "compression" garment which is similar to a girdle. This garment helps your body to smoothly re-drape the extra skin as well as help prevent accumulation of serum or blood under the skin. This garment is worn for as long as three weeks and is easily hidden under usual work attire. And finally, one often asked question: "Will the fat return if I gain weight?" Our bodies only make a certain number of fat cells, therefore, if we remove some of these cells they cannot return. This is not to say one cannot get fat. A thirty pound weight gain will result in generalized obesity but the predisposition for weight gain in the suctioned areas will be less than before surgery.

 

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