Liposuction

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Liposuction can reshape and smooth the contours of your body. These procedures can sculpt your body to remove unwanted fat from specific areas, including the neck, abdomen, hips, buttock, thighs, knee, upper-arms, back (to remove the “back bra roll”) and calves.

Would you like a trimmer, more contoured body? Liposuction may be the answer. While it’s no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise for weight loss, liposuction can slim and reshape specific areas of the body. If you have areas of stubborn fat deposits that don’t seem to budge, no matter how much you diet and workout, liposuction can help. Although liposuction removes fat, it is not a weight loss procedure. Also known as Lipoplasty, Liposculpting or Body Contouring Surgery, liposuction is the most popular cosmetic procedure among men and women of all ages year after year. Liposuction is commonly used to remove fat and improve the contour of your abdomen, arms, neck, back, flanks, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Men often have liposuction of their chest to treat gynecomastia.

Candidates for Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure for individuals who, despite a healthy diet and exercise, have stubborn, persistent pockets of fat. Liposuction traditionally has been used to flatten problem areas or to enhance curves and contours. Recently, liposculpture and abdominal etching has gained popularity to bring out the lines of the abdomen, creating a more cut appearance. Individuals with a low percentage of body fat and want a more toned body are excellent candidate of liposculpture. Refinements in liposuction techniques allow for more defined results with decreased complications and faster recovery.

If you are close to your ideal body weight, a nonsmoker, do not plan to get pregnant, or have more than a 20-pound weight gain with unwanted fat of the arms, abdomen, flank, neck, thighs, knees calves or ankles, then liposuction is the choice for you. However, liposuction does not address loose skin, stretch marks or cellulite. If you have stretch marks you maybe a candidate for RF Microneedling which has been shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks. Cellfina is an FDA approved treatment for cellulite with long lasting results and a very high patient satisfaction rate 99%. If you have realistic expectations and are in good health, liposuction can help your clothes fit better.

Different Methods of Liposuction

Liposuction was originally developed in the 1970’s, and over the past 5 decades our liposuction techniques have improved the speed recovery and improve safety. Liposuction started as a dry technique using no tumescent wetting solution with sharp cannulas to remove fat. Patients had good results but experienced significant blood loss and subsequent bruising. The liposuction technique improved by using blunt tip cannulas and surgical wetting solution consisting of IV fluid, lidocaine and epinephrine called tumescent. 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 tailors your liposuction treatment to each area.

Types of Liposuction

Traditional liposuction

Traditional liposuction is the most popular of the 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 is introduced and tumescent is infused into the area to help with vasoconstriction and numbing the area. After waiting several minutes, a hollow cannula is used to remove the fat cells. Once the fat cells have been removed, they are gone forever.

Traditional liposuction is most commonly used technique when the fat which was removed is going to be used for fat grafting. Fat grafting can be preformed in the breast or in the buttocks for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).

The down side of traditional liposuction is that it can be very labor intensive for your surgeon with a repetitive arm motion.

Power-Assisted Liposuction

Power-assisted liposuction is traditional liposuction with the addition of an electric-powered handpiece which vibrates the cannula back and forth. The vibration helps Dr. DiFrancesco with fat removal thus the technique is less labor-intensive. Power-assisted liposuction is especially helpful in treating areas with a lot of fibrous/ fatty tissue such as male breasts or gynecomastia. The vibration helps break up the fibrous tissue in gynecomastia, making the fat removal easier and less traumatic.

SmartLipo™ Laser Liposuction

SmartLipo use the same basic technique as traditional liposuction, infiltrating the fat with tumescent first and removing the fat with a cannula. SmartLipo uses a laser to break apart and liquify the fat cells prior to removal with the Liposuction cannula. This causes less trauma to the tissue resulting in less bruising and swelling with a fast recovery and less downtime. The laser stimulates collagen production improving skin tightening compared to traditional liposuction. SmartLipo in performed in the office under local anesthesia and is best for small areas of fat.

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Kind words from our patients

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. 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 chance of a contour deformity or damage to the skin.

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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 can't 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 “muffin top.” We also use liposuction for under the chin, male chest, hips, thighs, knees, upper arms and back, where a “bra roll” 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.