When determining the ideal candidate for liposuction, general body condition is more important than age. While patients of all ages can benefit from this procedure, the ideal candidate practices good eating habits and exercises regularly. With 22 years of liposuction experience, Dr. Shaw has a lot of advice and knowledge to share. Please call for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation to find out which procedures would benefit you best.
Actual
Patient
Actual
Patient
Liposuction
Options
There
are four ways to perform liposuction: traditional
suction-assisted lipoplasty, Liposculpture,
ultrasonic-assisted liposuction and the newest
method, SmartLipo or
Laser Lypolysis. To illustrate
the difference, think of fat cells as a bunch of
grapes on a vine. Suction-assisted lipoplasty is
like picking the grapes off the vine and
removing intact fat cells. In contrast, with
ultrasonic-assisted liposuction the grapes on
the vine are crushed and liquefied before they
are removed. Liposculpture uses very small
cannulas in the superficial fatty layer just
beneath the skin.
Actual
Patient
The Liposuction Procedure
Prior
to suctioning fat, a relatively large amount of
fluid is injected into the areas ("Tumescent"). For
suction-assisted lipectomy, the fluid helps
"pre-dissect" the fat, making it easier to remove.
For ultrasonic assisted liposuction, the fluid
enhances the affect of the ultrasound on the fat
tissue. In both cases, the fluid (which includes
certain medications) makes surgery safer and more
effective, helping to decrease the risk of
complications such as bleeding, swelling and
bruising. Treatment recommendations specific to
your needs will be discussed during your
consultation with Dr. Shaw.
Actual
Patient
Suction-assisted
lipectomy is the
original liposuction technique.
Using
a small, hollow tube called a cannula, fat is
removed by applying high suction to the fat cell
and drawing it up into the tube. A rapid
back-and-forth motion of the tube breaks fat cells
free from surrounding tissue. Suction-assisted
lipoplasty may not be able to remove all the
desired fat.
Ultrasonic
assisted liposuction is the newest
technique. Similar to
suction-assisted lipoplasty, ultrasonic uses a
hollow cannula to remove fat cells. The cannula is
connected to an ultrasound generator that causes it
to vibrate more than 22,000 times per second. This
vibration causes the fat cells to rupture, allowing
the emulsified fat to be removed.
Dr. Shaw uses a
combinations of Suction lipectomy, Ultrasonic
lipectomy, Laser
lypolysis and
Liposculpture in order to give the most optimal
result possible.
Depending upon the Dr. Shaw's
evaluation of the patient, general, intravenous
or local anesthesia may be required. Recovery
time can vary from a day to two weeks, depending
upon the areas treated, the extent of fat
removed and the general condition of the
patient. Sometimes an overnight stay is required
if the volume removed is over 2,500
cc.
Pain
is usually moderate and begins to subside in a few
days. You will go home in a compression
garment which you will wear from 4 - 6
weeks.
Liposuction
