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As a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), this physician is among a select group of board-certified plastic surgeons who have attained the highest level of achievement in cosmetic surgical training, continuing education and clinical experience.

Liposuction (Lipoplasty)

Lipoplasty, also called liposuction, removes localized collections of fatty tissue to give you a smoother and slimmer body contour. For the best results, you should be of relatively normal weight with extra fat localized in specific areas such as hips, buttocks and abdomen. Lipoplasty is also effective in removing fat deposits from the back, legs, arms, face and neck.

Lipoplasty helps to eliminate unsightly bulges by removing localized fat deposits.

Lipoplasty is neither a substitute for proper diet and exercise nor a method of overall weight loss. It cannot eliminate cellulite or correct loose, hanging skin. In fact, the best results from lipoplasty are achieved when you are healthy, elastic skin with the capacity to shrink evenly after surgery. If your skin has lost much of its elasticity, you may need a skin tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift, buttock lift or arm lift.

Collections of fatty tissue in the shaded areas are removed through short incisions that are discreetly placed.

Local anesthesia (usually with sedation), regional and general anesthesia may be used, depending on what your surgeon judges as the safest and most comfortable choice for your particular surgery. Lipoplasty is usually performed using a suction pump device to vacuum away excess fatty deposits. In some cases, a hand-help syringe may be used instead of a pump. There are a number of variations to conventional lipoplasty. Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty, for example, uses energy from sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is removed. The technique chosen for your specific case depends on individual factors that your plastic surgeon will discuss with you.

A long, hollow tube, called a cannula, with an opening at one end is inserted through a small incision. At the tube's opposite end, a vacuum pressure unit suctions away the fat. Ultrasonic energy sometimes may be used to liquefy the fat before it is removed.

Following surgery, you may wear snug dressing or garment, perhaps for several weeks, to promote skin shrinkage and to minimize swelling and bruising as you gradually resume normal activities. You can expect to return to work in a week or two.

After surgery, your body contour will appear smoother and slimmer.