Liposuction

Liposuction is an excellent way to re-contour or reshape problem areas.

Having a slim and toned appearance is a major beauty standard in today’s world, but for many, achieving this ideal figure is easier said than done. You may eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly, but it can often not be enough to totally eliminate fatty deposits from various regions on your body. Factors beyond your control like genetics, pregnancy and hormones can determine whether your body holds on to fat in undesirable places. If stubborn fat is clinging to your abdomen, hips or buttocks despite your best efforts, you may begin to feel like you have exhausted your options.

If this scenario sounds all too familiar, it might be time to consider liposuction with Dr. Kahlil Andrews at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery. Liposuction is one of the most sought-after procedures for patients who want to reduce stubborn body fat and create an appealing body contour. With a one-on-one consultation and a discussion of your cosmetic goals, you can decide whether liposuction is right for you.

How Does Liposuction Work?

Certain localized fatty deposits can be unresponsive to diet and exercise, which might be contributing to your frustration when you don’t achieve the results you want. Liposuction targets these deposits, using a narrow, straw-like tube called a cannula with a suction device to remove excess fat from under the skin.

Liposuction hones in on fat specifically, permanently removing it from the body without causing damage to the surrounding tissues. Awkward bulges, lumps or love handles are flattened as the bulky fat that causes them is eliminated during your liposuction procedure. As a result, your body’s curves and contours are improved, and hopefully your self-esteem is boosted as well.

Liposuction is considered a minimally invasive procedure because it uses very small incisions to access your body fat rather than needing a more significant procedure. Due to the low risk of this type of procedure, liposuction can easily be combined with other, more invasive cosmetic procedures such as a breast augmentation, breast reduction or tummy tuck. It is common to provide liposuction with surgeries like these to help patients achieve a more sculpted figure overall, rather than focusing on a single body part.

Dr. Andrews can expertly use liposuction to reduce fat in many areas, including:

• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Lateral thighs- “saddlebags”
• Knees
• Upper arms
• Hips
• Waist- “love handles”
• Chest
• Chin and neck
• Calves

Liposuction treats each area individually and streamlines them to match the rest of your physique. With close attention to detail, Dr. Andrews eliminates areas of unwanted fat and produces the ideal contour for your body type and frame.

Are You a Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is an effective and safe procedure for a wide variety of body sculpting patients. Those who benefit most from liposuction are patients who are near their ideal weight, have adequate skin elasticity and have a realistic vision for their results. Since liposuction removes fat via a cannula and suction, it works best for patients who have clearly delineated and concentrated areas of fat.

However, there are some cases where we may not recommend liposuction right away or we may recommend a different procedure. Liposuction cannot be a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise. We discourage our patients from thinking of liposuction as a weight loss solution; rather, it is a body contouring procedure that can improve your shape but not necessarily your weight. We may suggest working further toward your goal weight before choosing liposuction.

Additionally, though liposuction is an excellent option for reducing excess fat, it will not tighten the skin. Therefore, the procedure is generally more effective in patients who have tighter skin around the region being treated. Loose skin may not respond satisfactorily to liposuction and could require additional surgery to correct. If you have excess or sagging skin due to pregnancy or drastic weight loss, we may encourage you to consider a tummy tuck or other lift in conjunction with your liposuction. There are some non-invasive treatments that can tighten skin after liposuction such as Endymed 3Deep, which we offer at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery.

Finally, liposuction is also ineffective in treating cellulite or stretch marks. Sometimes, laser skin treatments can help reduce their appearance — during your consultation, Dr. Andrews and his staff can evaluate your skin and concerns and determine whether there is a procedure that can tighten and restore your skin’s texture. Diet, exercise and good skin care are also often helpful in reducing cellulite and stretch marks.

Your Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction begins with a personal consultation in Dr. Andrews’ office, where you can discuss your cosmetic concerns and your aesthetic goals. Dr. Andrews will examine the quality of your skin and determine whether liposuction will meet your expectations. Afterward, Dr. Andrews will explain procedural details along with what you can expect during your recovery, as well as the results you can anticipate once you have fully healed.

Liposuction is most often performed under general anesthesia, and uses a hollow cannula and vacuum to suction fat out of your body. Dr. Andrews makes inconspicuous incisions around the treatment area, inserts the cannula and moves it back and forth in a controlled motion to dislodge the fat. As your fat cells become loosened, they are suctioned through the cannula and out of your body, removing them permanently. Although most commonly performed under general anesthesia, liposuction can also be performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation if smaller areas are to be treated.

When your procedure is complete, Dr. Andrews will wrap the treatment area in a compression garment to help ease any swelling. You will need to spend some time in our recovery room while your anesthesia wears off, and you will need a trusted friend or loved one to drive you home.

Recovering from Liposuction

Dr. Andrews will give you post-operative instructions once your liposuction is complete, explaining how you should care for your small puncture incisions and ease any pain, swelling or other discomfort. Dr. Andrews will prescribe oral pain medications for you to take during the first stages of your healing, and he will schedule a follow-up appointment to ensure you are recovering properly. You should plan to take a few days away from work or other regular activities to rest, and you should plan to avoid strenuous activities like exercise for about a month. Dr. Andrews will monitor your recovery and let you know when you are able to resume your usual workout routine.

It may take a few weeks before the swelling subsides enough for you to see your results. In the meantime, you should wear a compression garment in the treated area and avoid high-sodium foods to reduce water retention and bloating. When you have fully recovered, though, your liposuction results should remain permanent as long as you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. In time, you will experience the benefits of a toned body contour, which will improve your confidence and self-image.

For more information about liposuction, or to find out whether the procedure is right for you, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery and schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrews at our location in Coralville, Iowa. Dr. Andrews also provides a full range of cosmetic surgical procedures and aesthetic services from tummy tucks to laser skin resurfacing — he is an expert in body contouring and will ensure that you achieve results that meet all of your needs and let you love your body again. Call us today at 319-800-6877 to learn more about what we offer — our helpful staff is available to answer any questions you may have for us.

Dr. Andrews proudly serves the community of Cedar Rapids and the neighboring towns of Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Waterloo and the Quad Cities.