Liposuction

Liposuction Beverly Hills | Los Angeles

In order to slim and reshape the body, liposuction removes areas of excess fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet. Liposuction was invented in Paris France and it was first introduced in the U.S.A in 1982. Since then, liposuction has become the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure worldwide.  Liposuction can safely and effectively remove excess fat deposits of the abdomen, waist, thighs, hips, buttocks, upper arms, back, knees, chest/breasts and neck.  In some cases, liposuction is sometimes performed alone and in other cases it is used in combination with other plastic surgery procedures such as breast reduction, face lifting or a tummy tuck.  Overall, liposuction has become a very popular procedure because the recovery period is short and the results can be quite dramatic.

Even with a reasonable level of health and fitness, some people still have localized areas of fat deposits or “trouble areas” such as “love handles”, “saddle bags” or “muffin tops.”  These “trouble” areas may be due to genetics, increasing age or hormonal changes rather than a lack of weight control or fitness. Liposuction is most effective in removing these stubborn, localized fat deposits that are not responsive to dieting and exercising alone. Patients often ask if it is better to diet and exercise before or after a liposuction procedure.  My answer is always both! If you begin a proper health and wellness program prior to surgery, you are more likely to return to them after your surgery   Secondly, if you begin practicing good eating habits and effective exercise routines prior to surgery, you will expose the most stubborn trouble areas on your body which are then more effectively targeted for removal during liposuction. The final results from liposuction are greatly enhanced when they are combined with a proper diet and exercise program and often the immediate improvement seen from the liposuction is used as a motivational factor for patients to make healthier lifestyle choices as well as continue losing any remaining weight.

The fat surrounding our bodies is distributed into two distinct layers, superficial and deep. Overall, the superficial layer of fat is closer to the skin and it is composed of smaller lobules that are encased in multiple fibrous compartments. The deep layer of fat is closer to the muscles and it is composed of larger lobules that are surrounded by a loose framework of connective tissue. The superficial layer of fat is relatively stable in thickness with weight fluctuations whereas the deep layer of fat readily expands with weight gain because it is designed to be able to stretch.  It is the deep layer that creates the bulges and rolls that are seen with significant weight gain. Even though, the fat cells in the deep layer remain constant in number, they can expand and literally get fatter and fatter with weight gain. Therefore, effective and correctly performed liposuction should target the deeper layer of fat that is causing the actual “trouble areas” and not the superficial layer of harmless “good fat” that remains relatively constant in thickness with weight gain. When the deep layer of fat is removed, the results are more aesthetically pleasing as well as more effective since the overall concentration of storage fat cells in the treated areas have been permanently reduced. These areas should now also be less sensitive to weight gain and therefore will no longer be as troublesome with slight weight fluctuations in the future.

Since liposuction in the proper deep fat layer near the muscles can cause more discomfort in the awake patient, general anesthesia is critical to performing safe and effective liposuction. Unfortunately, surgeons performing pure tumescent (awake) liposuction may tend to stay in the more superficial layer of fat to avoid causing patient discomfort and movement during the procedure. This can have disastrous consequences on the final result from surgery because it can lead to lumps, dents and/or skin rippling/damage (mottling of the skin). These types of complications are very difficult to correct and often require a revision surgery with fat grafting to repair the damage adequately. If the damage is in the skin itself, skin tightening can be attempted with radiofrequency devices, ultrasound machines and/or endermologie.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are healthy, non-smoking adults with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone that are within 30% of their ideal weight. Overall, individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind have the best results from body contouring surgery.  Remember, even though liposuction trims the body of unwanted, excess fat, it should never be considered a treatment for obesity or a substitute for a healthy diet and proper exercise program. Overall, I believe the best results from liposuction make patients look healthy and fit and not unnaturally skinny or thin. I always say “Keep the curves and get rid of the bulges.” The only thing left for you to do after liposuction is to maintain a proper diet and exercise program so your new trim body can stay that way for an extended period of time.

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