Liposuction

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Liposuction can reshape and smooth the contours of your body to help you get the perfectly proportioned curves you want. Any of DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery’s liposuction procedures can sculpt your body to remove unwanted fat from specific problem areas, including the neck, abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, and calves.

Although liposuction removes fat, it is not a weight loss procedure. So, while this surgical procedure is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, it can slim and reshape specific areas of the body. If you have stubborn fat deposits that don’t seem to budge, no matter how healthy your diet is and how consistently you work out, a cosmetic surgery procedure can help.

WHAT IS LIPOSUCTION?

Also known as lipoplasty or body contouring surgery, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures among men and women of all ages year after year. Liposuction in Atlanta is commonly used to remove fat and improve the contour of your abdomen, upper arms, neck, back, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. This fat removal technique is minimally invasive, and may only require using a local anesthetic and an outpatient procedure to achieve significant results.

Liposuction surgery can come in many different forms based on desired results and available medical equipment. There are liposuction procedures that use ultrasound waves or radiofrequency technology to provide specific and efficient results for some patients’ unique desired outcomes. And in addition to being a standalone surgical option, liposuction is also used within other plastic surgery procedures, like tummy tuck procedures, breast lift or reduction, or when men undergo liposuction of their chest to treat gynecomastia.

You can learn more about liposuction and the various plastic surgery procedures offered at DiFancesco Plastic Surgery by contacting us today. During a liposuction consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa DiFrancesco, you’ll be able to share your concerns and desired outcomes and come up with a personalized liposuction procedure that works for your goals and recovery timeline.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction is a procedure for individuals who, despite having a healthy diet and exercise routine, have stubborn, persistent pockets of fat in undesirable parts of their body. Traditionally, liposuction has been used to flatten problem areas or to enhance curves and contours.

Individuals with a low percentage of body fat and stable weight who want a more toned body are excellent candidates for liposuction surgery at DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery. Advancements in liposuction techniques allow for more defined results with decreased complications and faster recovery.

If you are close to your ideal body weight, are a non-smoker, and do not plan to get pregnant in the future, a liposuction procedure may be a great option for body contouring. In addition, a good candidate for liposuction has reasonable expectations for what liposuction can and cannot achieve, and is willing to assume the risks and responsibilities of this procedure.

WHAT CAN LIPOSUCTION ACHIEVE?

A highly flexible and effective surgical procedure, liposuction can remove stubborn fat areas from nearly anywhere on the body to provide aesthetically pleasing results with little downtime. From correcting a double chin to helping sculpt better-looking thighs, liposuction is capable of providing unique and wide-ranging body contouring results.

WHAT LIPOSUCTION CANNOT DO

Liposuction does not address excess skin, stretch marks, or cellulite. For the treatment of stretch marks or loose skin, you may be a candidate for RF Microneedling, which has been proven to improve the appearance of stretch marks and boost skin elasticity and even skin tone.

More importantly, potential liposuction patients must be aware that this is not a weight loss procedure. In the average liposuction procedure, only a few pounds of fat are removed from a treatment area. If you are looking for significant weight loss, this plastic surgery cannot help. Dr. DiFrancesco can estimate how much fat can be safely removed during a liposuction surgery.

THE LIPOSUCTION METHOD

Liposuction was originally developed in the 1970s, and over the past decades, plastic surgeons’ liposuction techniques have improved the speed of recovery as well as safety. The modern liposuction performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. DiFrancesco uses blunt tip cannulas and a surgical wetting solution called tumescent that consists of IV fluid, lidocaine, and epinephrine.

Tumescent liposuction allows Dr. DiFrancesco to remove more fat with less blood loss and faster recovery. The development of different cannula shapes, diameters, and lengths allows Dr. DiFrancesco to tailor your unique liposuction procedure to perform best in your specific treatment area.

Types of Liposuction

Traditional liposuction

Traditional liposuction (also called tumescent liposuction or suction-assisted liposuction) is the most popular of our Atlanta liposuction techniques. It is usually performed under general anesthesia, and often includes several areas of the body. Liposuction uses several small incisions in which a cannula—a thin, hollow tube—is inserted, and a tumescent fluid is infused into the area to help constrict blood vessels, minimize blood loss, and numb the treatment area. After waiting several minutes, another cannula is used to remove the fat cells through the small incisions. Once the fat cells have been removed, they are gone forever.

Traditional liposuction is used for fat transfer or fat grafting, a plastic surgery technique that utilizes purified fat from your own body to enhance the results of another procedure, such as breast augmentation or a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).

Power-Assisted Liposuction

Power-assisted liposuction is essentially traditional liposuction with the addition of an electric-powered handpiece that vibrates the cannula at a high frequency. The vibration helps Dr. DiFrancesco with fat removal, as the motion of the cannula breaks down fat in the treatment area and makes the procedure more efficient.

Power-assisted liposuction is especially helpful in treating areas with a lot of fibrous or fatty tissue. The vibration helps break up the fibrous tissue as well as fat cells, making it easier to remove difficult-to-access fat stores and helping the procedure be less traumatic on the surrounding tissues. Power-assisted liposuction is sometimes combined with ultrasonic energy. This cosmetic surgery is called ultrasound-assisted liposuction.

SmartLipo™ Laser Liposuction

SmartLipo (or laser assisted liposuction) uses the same basic technique as traditional liposuction, injecting the treatment area with tumescent first and later removing unwanted fat deposits with a cannula. SmartLipo uses a laser to break apart and liquefy fat cells prior to removal with the cannula. This causes less trauma to the tissue, resulting in less bruising and swelling, and decreasing the time needed for recovery.

The SmartLipo laser also stimulates collagen production, improving skin tightness alongside the benefits of traditional liposuction. SmartLipo is performed in our Atlanta office under local anesthesia and is best for small areas of fat.

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Professionalism at it's best. From the staff to Dr. Difrancesco, service is impeccable. All things that matter as it pertains to customer service will impress anyone who walks through that door. Dr. D is very knowledgeable of every service offered and leaves no question unanswered. She has a very pleasant bedside manner which is much needed in her field and the procedure results live up to EVERY expectation. I've had minimally invasive procedures on both my face, thighs, and legs and I am thoroughly pleased. She's 6 star in my books.

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SAFElipo

SAFElipo is the latest technique developed by plastic surgeons to improve liposuction results in Atlanta. SAFE stands for separation, aspiration, and fat equalization. Separation loosens the fat and breaks up or emulsifies the fat cells. Fat cells aspire gently with suction. Finally, fat equalization prevents contour deformities by smoothing out the remaining thin fat layer. SAFElipo can remove a lot of fat without increasing the risk of a contour deformity or skin damage.

LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY

Liposuction results can be seen within a few weeks to months of surgery. During this period, it’s essential to wear a compression garment over the area to reduce swelling and enhance body contours. Postoperative pain is typically minimal after liposuction surgery and can easily be managed with pain medication. Most patients return to normal activities with restrictions within 1-2 weeks of surgery. However, recovery might be a little longer if another body contouring procedure was combined with liposuction. To maintain your results, keep a healthy diet and exercise routine so that you do not gain weight after surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

A staple of plastic surgery centers everywhere, liposuction is a highly effective technique for conquering stubborn fat deposits that a healthy lifestyle can’t beat. However simple it seems, though, not all plastic surgeons are experienced or qualified to perform liposuction. Dr. Lisa DiFrancesco specializes in and performs liposuction procedures of all kinds and is double board-certified in both general and plastic surgery.

TTo find out if liposuction in Atlanta can help you achieve your body contouring goals, contact DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery by calling us at (404) 531-2478 or contacting us online today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you put to sleep for liposuction?

Liposuction can be performed under general anesthesia and you are put to sleep. However, for small areas of liposuction,many patients may only need local anesthesia.

Can I get liposuction if I am overweight?

Liposuction is a procedure that can remove unwanted fat from and area that has been resistant to diet and exercise

Can visceral fat be removed?

Liposuction cant remove visceral fat or internal fat. Liposuction will permanently remove fat that is subcutaneous or fat you can pinch under your skin.

Does a tummy tuck remove fat?

A tummy tuck removes extra skin and fat. It is often combined liposuction to improve the contour of your abdomen and waist area.

Does fat come back after lipo?

No once the fat cells are removed by liposuction they are gone permanently

Does liposuction get rid of cellulite?

Liposuction removes fat and may or may not improve cellulite. However, Cellfina will improve cellulite and has a 5 year FDA approval for cellulite reduction.

Does liposuction really work?

Yes liposuction really works. The fat removal is permanent.

How can I avoid weight gain after surgery?

Diet and exercise are the best way to maintain your results after liposuction.

How can I lose tummy fat fast?

Liposuction will remove tummy fat with results seen immediately

How can I reduce my stomach fat?

Yes liposuction is the perfect want to remove unwanted fat resistant to diet and exercise.

How do I prepare for liposuction?

You will need to eat a healthy diet, exercise and stop any NSAIDS or aspirin products.

How do you shower after liposuction?

You may shower normally the day after your procedure

How does fat transfer work?

Fat transfer is commonly used in the buttock and breast. Liposuction is used to remove the fat from the donor sites. The fat is processed in a closed system and injected into the breast or buttock.

How does Lipo work?

Liposuction permanently removes the fat cell through a hollow cannula or tube. It can contour your body and remove pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise.

How long do you drain after lipo?

Most patient experience minimal drainage for 1-2 days after surgery

How long do you need off work after liposuction?

Many patients can return to work and a day or 2. You should expect to have more bruising, swelling, and discomfort for each additional area or procedure.

How much does it cost to get liposuction on your stomach?

Pricing varies depending on number of areas and the time your procedure takes. At your consultation you will be given an estimate of costs for your procedure.

How much does liposuction cost without insurance?

Insurance does not cover liposuction.

How much fat can lipo remove?

A total of 5 liter of fat can be removed during a single outpatient procedure safely. If you have several areas of liposuction which exceed the 5 liters, you can stage the procedure over several days.

How painful is liposuction recovery?

Most patient experience minimal discomfort described as soreness but not pain. Patients typically resume normal everyday activities the next day. Walking is healthy and encouraged with patients returning to full exercise in 2 weeks.

Is it easier to lose weight after liposuction?

Liposuction will not directly impact your ability to lose weight. A healthy diet is the best method for losing weight

Is Lipo permanent?

Liposuction permanently removes the fat cell through a hollow cannula or tube. It can contour your body and remove pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise.

Is liposuction an outpatient procedure?

Liposuction can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure. This means you will be able to have your procedure and go home the same day.

What is AirSculpt Lipo?

Airsculpt is a type of liposuction which uses a cannula vibrating at a high rate of speed.

What is ultrasonic liposuction?

Ultrasonic liposuction uses ultrasound to break up fat cell making it easier to remove the fat. It has lost its popularity due to a higher complication rate and new technologies which do the same and are safer.

What areas of the body can liposuction improve?

Liposuction can smooth contours and remove unwanted fat from many areas of the body – including the abdomen, where many people have the dreaded \u201cmuffin top.\u201d We also use liposuction for under the chin, male chest, hips, thighs, knees, upper arms and back, where a \u201cbra roll\u201d of excess fat often develops.

If I gain weight, does the fat return?

No, once the fat cells are removed by liposuction, they are gone for good.

Does it improve the look of skin?

Yes. Although, liposuction is not an effective treatment for the dimpled skin known as cellulite, it does stimulate collagen tissue at the same time fat is removed. This helps tighten and improve loose skin.

How long does it take for the procedure, and when do you see results?

Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia with light sedation or general anesthesia depending on the number, size and location of the affected areas. Many of our patients are able to resume normal activities including work, in a day or two and return to full activity in two weeks. We do recommend wearing a compression garment for about six weeks after liposuction. Most patients see results within one week after liposuction with maximum results at about six months.

What can you eat after lipo surgery?

We recommend you eat a healthy diet with exercise to achieve and maintain the best results after liposuction

Does liposuction get rid of a double chin?

Some people are prone to having a double chin even if they’re at a healthy weight. Liposuction is actually one of the most effective ways to remove stubborn fat under the chin.

What is the best way to sleep after liposuction?

Depending on where on the body you get liposuction, it’s best to sleep on your back and in an elevated position to avoid putting pressure on your incisions. Dr. DiFrancesco will indicate how to sleep as part of your aftercare instructions.

How many sizes can you lose with liposuction?

This can be different based on your unique procedure, but it’s possible to lost about 2 sizes with liposuction. Liposuction should not be considered a weight loss procedure, however.

Is liposuction the same thing as a tummy tuck?

Liposuction and tummy tuck are two separate procedures (which can sometimes be performed together). A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and tightens muscles while liposuction simply removes fat from an area. Liposuction on the stomach is not the same thing as a tummy tuck.

How can I speed up liposuction recovery?

The best way to ensure a speedy, successful recovery is following our team’s aftercare instructions. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to rest and avoid straining your body too much during the first couple weeks.

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