Cosmetic surgery is all too often thought of in terms of facelifts and breast surgery. Cosmetic surgery, also known as aesthetic surgery, is about improving the overall appearance of the individual. Surgery can help but it is a total approach to the individual's appearance which gets the best results. Diet and exercise can achieve certain goals but often trouble areas will not respond. From liposuction to more complex surgical procedures such as tummy tucks, the art of body sculpting requires a total commitment to offering the patient the widest variety of techniques and therapies to achieve the best result.
Before and After Pictures (Actual Patient of J. Eric Lomax, M.D.)
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Liposuction is known by many names. Liposuction, lipoplasty, lipo-sculpting, tumescent lipoplasty, ultrasound assisted liposuction, and power assisted liposuction are all forms of liposuction. The original technique of liposuction was developed in France in the 1970's and brought to the US in the early 1980's. Early in his career, Dr. Lomax was trained by as well as a partner of Simon Fredricks, MD, one of the pioneering surgeons in this country to teach and perform liposuction. Dr. Lomax has spent time with Dr. Yves Illouz, the original developer of liposuction and has been published in the Lipoplasty Journal. The development of liposuction was a turning point in cosmetic surgery. It gave the surgeon the ability to re-contour specific areas of the body; something exercise and dieting could not do. With proper diet and exercise, these trouble areas can now be permanently reshaped.
The most common areas treated by liposuction vary based on the age and sex of the patient. Ninety percent of the procedures are performed on women and twenty percent are performed on patients over 50 years old. Fatty deposits in the face, chin, neck, arms, abdomen, flanks (love handles), hips (saddlebags), buttocks, thighs, knees, calves and ankles are areas which can be successfully treated with liposuction. It is also used in conjunction with other procedures such as tummy tucks, facelifts, and breast reductions.
The ideal patient will vary depending on the goals and expectations of the individual seeking the procedure. Well localized fatty deposits in a healthy individual with good skin elasticity present the best candidate. By using a combination of preoperative conditioning, good diet, post-operative dietary supplements, exercise and massage, a procedure can be developed for almost any patient. Other considerations such as lifestyle, employment, and time available for recovery must also be factored into designing the correct procedure for the patient. Lipoplasty may also be used in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, breast reduction, and tummy tucks.
Liposuction surgeries are typically performed as outpatient procedures. The type of anesthesia used depends on the location of the fatty deposits and the volume of tissue to be removed. A patient may have anything from local anesthesia to a general anesthetic.
The recovery period will vary from case to case, as each procedure is unique. Each patient will experience pain, bruising, and swelling. The pain is usually minimal and is controlled by oral medications. The patient will wear a compression garment after surgery which will help reduce the bruising and swelling. Enzyme based dietary supplements have also been shown to reduce pain, bruising, and swelling in the post-operative recovery period. Therapeutic massage has also been demonstrated to shorten the recovery period and improve the outcome of liposuction. Rare complications such as scarring, infection, and partial results can always occur.
It is not uncommon for the patient to have more than one procedure. This is often the result of seeing the improvement of the area which has caused them the most concern. Their focus now shifts and they notice other problem areas. Some patients will have a list of problem areas and get more than one area treated at a time. Whatever your concern, an experienced surgeon and staff will be able to address these issues and design a plan which will work for you.
Our newly expanded, fully certified ambulatory surgery center is an ideal setting for private, confidential treatment of all these cosmetic procedures. Often, the procedures can be safely combined, but it is certainly important to choose a surgeon who is board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, to help ensure not only the training of your physician, but that they will keep your ultimate safety as the foremost concern.
All surgical procedures carry the possibility of risk and uncertainty. Side effects and possible risks of liposuction include: infection, scarring, pigment variations, partial results, swelling, numbness or burning sensation to the area, soreness, drainage from incision sites, asymmetry, irregular bumps, depressions, thermal burn, and fluid retention or loss. Systemic illness, and heart trouble, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions affect your response to the anesthetic, surgery and healing. It is important to discuss your medical history during your initial consultation. A thorough discussion with your physician of risks and benefits as well as your expectations will be completed prior to your surgery.
Whether you have a relatively minor problem area or if you are ready for a total body makeover, a consultation with our plastic surgery department will inform you of the latest techniques available in the rapidly changing field of plastic surgery, as well as help you decide which of these techniques is right for you.
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