Suction-assisted lipectomy – also known as liposuction, is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body, including the chin, neck, and cheeks; the upper arms and above the breasts; the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs; and the knees, calves, and ankles. Liposuction is a method of removing localized fat that doesn't respond to dieting and exercise.

Suction-assisted lipectomy usually takes an hour or two, but the time required may vary considerably – from thirty minutes to several hours, depending on the area and amount suctioned. Our board-certified anesthesiologists use the technique of conscious sedation, allowing a safe and comfortable environment to proceed with your surgery.

To begin the procedure, our surgeon makes very small incisions; just large enough to allow the insertion of a hollow tube called a cannula. The opposite end of the cannula is attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon manipulates the cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Usually, only a few sutures are needed to close the incision.

After the surgery, a snug elastic dressing or body stocking must be worn over the treated area to control swelling and to help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. You will need to wear this garment continuously for two to three weeks, then just in the daytime for a few weeks more, depending on your surgeon's instructions.

Ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty, commonly known as "UAL", is a relatively new liposuction technique that uses sound waves to "liquefy" unwanted fat. UAL can be an effective tool for removing fat from fibrous body areas, such as the male breasts or the back, or for removing larger volumes of fat in a single procedure. Often, traditional liposuction is performed with UAL to help shape UAL-treated areas or to treat areas of the body not suited for UAL, such as the neck and inner thighs.

To begin the procedure, salt water containing local anesthesia and adrenaline is introduced into the area to be treated. Then, a metal cannula connected to an ultrasound generator is inserted beneath the skin through a small incision. The ultrasonic energy causes the walls of the fat cells to break down, allowing the fat to flow out of each cell. The "liquefied" fat combines with the injected fluid to create an emulsion, which is removed from the body by vacuum pressure.

After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Again, to help control swelling, you may be fitted with a snug elastic bandage or compression garment to wear over the treated area. The bandage or garment is typically worn for up to four weeks, to help your skin shrink to fit its new contour.

Traditional liposuction or ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is a highly effective technique for giving you a new body contour with very little scarring. The results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly. Even if you do gain weight, you probably gain it more uniformly throughout your body, not just in the former "bulges".

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.

Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction. They feel more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes, and more at ease with their bodies. As long as your expectations are realistic, you should be happy with your new shape.