INDUSTRY INSIGHT
COSMETIC SURGERY
SPONSORED CONTENT
After the
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS …
With the holidays upon us, let the festivities begin! The only thing“ wrong” about being festive can be the aftermath. This usually begins in January as we look forward to sunny spring skies. With the wishful thinking of warmer weather come visions of bodies in bathing suits. This mental picture can evoke plain old FEAR— especially on the heels of holiday indulgences! Immediately, our thoughts turn to liposuction.
Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, contours specific areas of the body by removing stubborn fatty deposits. This makes your body appear slimmer, looking appreciably better in lighter clothing. Often, good health, diet and exercise are not enough. These patients who are in relatively good condition find stubborn areas of localized fat to be extremely frustrating. Common areas where fat deposits occur are the“ love handles,”“ saddle bags,” back, and abdominal areas. The liposuction procedure can be done alone or in combination with other procedures, such as Tummy Tucks, Breast Reduction or even with a Facelift.
What needs to be remembered is that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity— not a replacement for a healthy diet or exercise program. The best surgical candidates for liposuction are those who are in good shape, but have areas of resistant fat deposits. These patients would also have good skin elasticity. Some other common treatment areas are: thighs, arms, neck, waist, hips, inner knees, chest, cheeks, calves and ankles.
The results of liposuction surgery are typically long lasting, but could be affected by pregnancy, the aging process or significant weight gain. Usually during your initial consultation with the doctor, you will be asked to look in the mirror and show what areas are troublesome to you. Now is also the time that your skin elasticity will be assessed. This will help your plastic surgeon to know your expectations and to determine whether they can be realistically accomplished. Just as with any other surgery, you should be prepared to discuss your medical history, which includes previous surgeries, any medical conditions, allergies and current medications. It is extremely important that you include
everything, so your surgery and recovery will go well.
When liposuction or liposculpture surgery is performed, a hollow metal tube called a cannula is passed through the fatty tissue. There are several different types of liposuction surgery, which will be discussed with you during your consultation. Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed procedures done by plastic surgeons. Liposuction is a very low-risk procedure. You, as the patient, can help to minimize risks by following the preand post-operative instructions given to you by your doctor.
It is good to remember that for the first 48 hours after surgery, you will experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. The bruising is typically gone in seven to 10 days, but the swelling lasts longer. Tiny stitches are placed where the cannula was inserted and
are removed about a week after surgery. This is not a very painful surgery. It feels like you have done a strenuous workout. The compression garment provided by your doctor should be worn for six to seven weeks after surgery. This helps to reduce swelling and to speed up the recovery process. In most instances, you will be able to return to most of your normal activities within 10 days to two weeks.
Liposuction surgery prices can vary depending on the amount of liposuction that needs to be done and the length of the procedure. This is all determined upon examination by the doctor at your initial consultation.
Liposuction can truly be a very uplifting experience for your self-esteem. If you are interested in making a positive difference in your looks without much downtime, this may be a surgery to investigate in the New Year.
Sewickley | Winter 2016 | icmags. com 23