LIPOSUCTION: Thighs, Knees & Buttocks

Liposuction (suction assisted lipectomy) is a form of body sculpting performed through minimally invasive, well concealed stab incisions. With this technique, a hollow tube (cannula) is used to extract unwanted fat pockets from specific body areas that have been unresponsive to proper diet and exercise, including thighs, knees, and buttocks; abdomen and hips; upper arms and above the breasts; calfs, knees and ankles. Many of these fat accumulations persist because they are hormonally sensitive to normal levels of circulating estrogen or testosterone. The procedure is most effective in patients who are within 15 to 20% of normal body weight. The firmer the skin, the greater the retraction and redraping following liposuction.

Before Liposuction

After Liposuction

Before Liposuction

After Liposuction

During the procedure, performed under "twilight" sedation anesthesia, the patient is constantly repositioned on the table to allow for the best sculpting along anatomical muscle masses (i.e. lateral thighs, hips, etc.). Smaller cannulae are used near the surface to soften skin dimpling (cellulite). Extracted fat may be recycled and injected into areas of cellulite depression to achieve a smoother skin contour. The procedure is extremely safe if fat and fluid extracted is kept to less than 3500 cc.

PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY:
The surgery is performed at our state of the art AAAASF outpatient facility - The Aesthetic Surgery Center. The fat pockets are marked with the patient standing. A saline solution containing a vasoconstrictor (to shrink blood vessels and reduce blood loss); local anesthetic (lidocaine); and an enzyme to break down fat is instilled under pressure into the fat pockets. Small bore cannulas (hollow tubes) are inserted through tiny stab incisions and attached to a suction machine to extract almost pure fat from the deeper layers. Closer to the skin surface, tinier cannulas are used to soften dimpling in the skin (cellulite) and wavy irregularities. Recycled fat may be further reinjected into depressed cellulite pits. Operating time is usually one and a half to three hours, depending on the extent of surgery.

Before Liposuction

After Liposuction

Before

After

A pre-fit customized elastic garment is worn for two to three weeks post surgery to control bruising and swelling and to allow for skin to redrape over the treated areas and during the daytime (beneath clothing) for a few more weeks for support. Most patients are back to work within two to three days and may resume more strenuous exercises within two to three weeks.

Improvement in body contour is observed immediately (even beneath the elastic garments!). Your new body shape is reasonably permanent provided you maintain a good nutrition and exercise regimen. Fat accumulation, if it does recur, is usually more diffuse throughout the body and not only in the prior "bulges".

For more detailed information regarding procedures / recovery / expectations / limitations / risks / potential complications, write or e-mail Dr. Rose.

PRE AND POSTOPERATIVE PHOTOS SELECTED FROM PATIENTS WHO HAVE GIVEN US PERMISSION FOR USAGE OR WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNIDENTIFIABLE. These photos do not warranty surgical outcome or results. A more complete photo gallery is available at consultation with Dr. Rose.