LIPOSUCTION
Body contouring (liposuction or lipo) is a type of procedure that benefits people with unusual fatty deposits in certain areas of their body. Liposuction is intended to address those pockets of fat that do not seem to go away through eating right, working out, or weight loss programs. Body contouring removes fat cells beneath the skin in order to improve the shape of those areas.
The procedure can be performed nearly any place on the body and has proven particularly effective in the abdomen, waist, hips and thighs. It can also be used on the arms, buttocks, knees and ankles. Body contouring by Dr. English is suitable for both men and women who are in good health.
Body contouring is performed as an outpatient procedure at the English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center in Little Rock, AR, under general anesthesia. Prior to the procedure, the areas to be treated are carefully marked to guide the surgeon during surgery. Cannulas are inserted through very small adits, or holes in the skin, to suction out excess fat. Scarring from these ports usually becomes imperceptible over time.
Dr. Jim English offers the latest liposuction techniques. These improved body contouring techniques require Dr. English to inject moderate amounts of fluid into the targeted areas before removing fatty deposits. The fluid contains agents designed to limit blood loss and reduce discomfort. This technique also makes the recovery period much easier. A further innovation in liposuction is the use of very fine cannulas. These cannulas allow the surgeon to use tiny punctures instead of an incision and allow him to approach fat tissue from many sites and directions. The final result is a smoother surgical outcome with a more rapid recovery.
During a consultation, Dr. English will consider the your objectives and skin elasticity before making a recommendation for body contouring. The results of liposuction are often remarkable, but it is unrealistic to expect perfection. You should presume that the irregularities and dimpling of the skin present before body contouring are likely to remain following the procedure. While improving the overall shape of the body, the procedure usually does not improve cellulite. You may be a candidate for liposuction if you:
- have area(s) of stubborn fat that are not responsive to weight loss;
- are in good physical and mental health, with good elasticity of the skin;
- are a non-smoker or committed to refraining from smoking;
- have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery; and
- understand the recovery process.
The fat that is removed during body contouring cannot return. This is not to say that one cannot gain weight following surgery. A weight gain following this procedure results in a more generalized heaviness with fewer predispositions for fat deposits in the treated areas. Body contouring is usually not an appropriate treatment for obesity and is no substitute for good nutrition and regular exercise. However, obese clients may be suitable candidates for body liposuction if their goal is simply a reduction in body size when combined with weight gain control. Patients must be in good health and committed to avoiding significant weight gain.
The patient will wear an elastic garment after their surgical procedure. These garments may be removed 48 hours after surgery so they may shower and wash and dry the garments. After showering, the garments are replaced and worn day and night for the next four to six days. Some patients may need to wear the garments longer after their surgery. Many choose to wear them longer because of the comfort they provide.
A moderate volume of fluid drains from the puncture sites during the first 24 to 72 hours following surgery. In general, if there is more drainage, there will be less bruising and swelling. Massaging and/or therapeutic ultrasound treatments after body contouring may be beneficial to the overall outcome.
Certain activities are restricted to aid healing. However, most of Dr. English’s liposuction patients are able to engage in light activity the day after surgery. Most normal activity can be resumed within a week or so but soreness should be expected. Exposure to the sun is to be avoided during healing because it may darken the small, maturing scars.
Once the excess fat is removed, the body takes several months to tighten the loose skin, provided the patient’s skin has not lost the ability to do so. (Liposuction results are dependent on good skin contracture. This process begins in two to four weeks and progresses slowly. The best results from body contouring show in six to 12 months following the procedure and can be greatly enhanced if the patient continues to lose weight through diet and exercise.
FACIAL LIPOSUCTION
Heredity can play a major role in how and where you accumulate and store fatty deposits. If you are naturally predisposed to carry fat cells in your face, this can be especially hard to remove through diet and exercise. Fat around the cheeks, neck and jowls can make you look heavy and bloated, even if you have a thin body figure. Your face can hold deposits of fat cells that are highly resistant to change. Whether you have fat deposits in your face due to heredity, are looking for more definition, or are slightly overweight, you may want to consider facial liposuction to create a leaner and more defined facial appearance.
At English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, facial liposuction surgery is typically carried out under local anesthesia and is performed at our accredited surgical facility. Dr. English may opt to use general anesthesia if you decide to combine this procedure with other surgeries. Every effort is made to reduce the length of scars and to make them as inconspicuous as possible.
Liposuction of the neck is performed through a small incision placed just beneath the chin and can be done by itself or in conjunction with tightening of the neck muscles. The results are predicated on the anatomy of the neck, the projection of the chin and the elasticity of the skin below the jaw line. If it is performed by itself and if the skin is youthful with a normal amount of fat in the area, the results can be very dramatic. If the skin is not taut and/or the chin profile is weak, then the procedure’s results can be enhanced with a lower facelift to tighten the neck skin or augmentation of the chin with an implant to strengthen the profile
Facial liposuction will remove fatty deposits that stubbornly resist changes in diet and exercise.
Reduction or removal of excess fat in the face or neck will contribute to an overall appearance of a slimmer countenance and definition in the facial features.
Facial liposuction will help turn back the clock and make you look more youthful and rejuvenated.
During the initial facial liposuction consultation, Dr. English will analyze your face, discuss your sun exposure and current medications, and discusses your objectives. He will also review your medical history and lifestyle choices while conducting a physical exam to determine your skin quality, elasticity, and thickness for optimal results. You may be a candidate for facial liposuction surgery if you:
- desire a slimmer face or neck;
- are in good physical and mental health, with good elasticity of the skin;
- are a non-smoker or committed to refraining from smoking;
- have realistic expectations of the outcome of your facial liposuction; and
- understand the recovery process.
Dr. English’s neck liposuction patients report minimal discomfort and downtime since the length of the surgery is less than 20 to 30 minutes and is performed in our office surgical suite with sedation commensurate with the patient’s request. A wrap is placed around the head and neck area for 18 hours or so and then removed in our office the next day. The two or three sutures placed at the entrance site where the suction cannula was inserted for the neck liposuction procedure will be removed at day six to prevent suture tracking.
Swelling and bruising will usually subside within seven to ten days, and most people return to work or normal activities within one week after facial liposuction. Although your results will be noticeable early on, your final results will not be forthcoming for at least three months. To facilitate the best results, we may offer ultrasound treatments to the neck area for a few days to help with the soreness and to induce skin contractility, which is paramount to your final results.
