Liposuction remains one of the most common operative procedure plastic surgeons perform. In 2013, an estimated 200,000 people underwent liposuction in the United States alone.
Its popularity stems from the fact that liposuction provides dramatic improvement in the body shape and proportions with very little downtime and no disfiguring scars.
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“When I came in I was definitely nervous. I had a lot of questions. That’s why I like Dr. Marion… he answered all my questions. He made me feel comfortable about it. I realized he is a perfectionist. I felt like I was in good hands, and just felt really confident in the choices I was about to make.”
-Krechelle, patient*
Liposuction has several forms but essential to all devices and types are a few key points. All liposuction procedures use a small wand type device is used to introduce fluid that helps to break up the fat cells, reduce the amount of bleeding and discomfort from the procedure. Once the fluid has been introduced a similar wand or cannula is introduced to remove excess fat from trouble spots. The cannula insertion requires a small incision, usually less than 1/4″ long, which is placed so as to not be noticeable with healing. For best results, each area is usually approached from two different insertion sites. Once healed these scars are often difficult to even find.
After surgery you will be fitted with a tight fitting garment to promote resolution of the swelling and quicker recovery. This is generally worn for at least 3 weeks.
The target areas most common in men include abdomen, waist and flanks (love handles). In women the areas are abdomen, hips, thighs (saddle bags) and buttocks.
Other possible sites include: upper arms, back, chest, cheek, chin, neck, calves and ankles.
Liposuction can take care of excessive fat in most areas, but it is important to realize it is not a substitute for diet and exercise. It has limitations on how much fat can safely removed and sometimes another procedure, i.e. abdominoplasty, may provide better contours. Liposuction is not a tool to remove dimpling or cellulite and it does not affect skin laxity. Many body types can improve with liposuction, but we see the ideal candidate as those who are otherwise healthy, active but have certain areas (love handles, saddle, bags, etc) that don’t seem to improve despite hard work.
The more candid patients are about their goals and concerns with their surgeon, the more likely they will be pleased with the results.
Results from liposuction procedures takes patience. Early on there is some fluid retention in these areas and the swelling can take weeks to resolve. Look for improvement in the following weeks, with continued improvement in the areas suctioned over several months.
Complications from liposuction are usually mild and avoidable if the plastic surgeon is well trained. More common downsides of the procedure can be asymmetries or contour irregularities where the fat was removed or bruising as a result of removing fat. Less common and more severe complications involve injury to other tissues in the area such as the deeper organs or the overlying skin, infection, blot clots. Most concerning are reports of small pieces of fat or blood clots entering the blood stream and fatally traveling to the lungs or heart.
Dr. Marion is a talented cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon, double board certified and equipped with elite training. Growing up, he worked alongside his grandfather in a bronze sculpture studio, and artistic instinct became second nature. Early in his college career, Dr. Marion became enthralled with human anatomy, and the passion blossomed into advanced surgical education and now a thriving clinic.
