Looking and feeling good often means having a fit, well-proportioned body. This may seem like an unreachable goal for many people. A strict diet or disciplined exercise program often can’t conquer stubborn areas of excess fat. Liposuction, a specialty at our Mountain View surgical center, may be the answer for those who seek a smoother or better-proportioned body contour.
Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL), is a surgical procedure that removes deposits of excess fat from specific areas of the body, face, or neck. Liposuction can be used to slim the hips and thighs, flatten the abdomen, shape the calves and ankles or eliminate a double chin.
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Liposuction Candidates
Liposuction is most commonly recommended for men and women of normal weight who simply want to improve their body contour. The procedure can produce excellent results for people who have deposits of excess fat that make certain body areas appear disproportionately large. Although liposuction is not a treatment for obesity, it can eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise.
People of almost any age may undergo liposuction; however, patients with good skin elasticity will achieve the smoothest contour after fat is removed. You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you desire fat removal or contouring in any of the following areas:
- Chin and neck
- Upper arms
- Breast or chest area
- Back
- Abdomen and waist
- Hips and buttocks
- Thighs
- Inner knee
- Calves and ankles
Liposuction is not for everyone who desires to lose excess fat, but if you feel you are an ideal candidate for liposuction, contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center in Mountain View
Consultation: What To Expect
A personal consultation with Dr. Alexander Ereso is the first step. Our plastic surgeon will assess your physical and emotional health, review your medical history and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for surgery. Dr. Ereso will make sure that your expectations regarding liposuction are in line with what the procedure can actually achieve. If you are expecting liposuction to replace a healthy diet or exercise, undergoing surgery may not be a good decision.
Dr. Ereso has been performing liposuction for many years. He will discuss the details of a liposuction procedure as well as variations in techniques for optimum fat removal. He will cover the safety and success of the procedure as well as inform you of how you can do your part to minimize any risks.
Why Choose Us
Liposuction requires technical expertise as well as an eye for balance and proportion. One of Dr. Ereso’s specialties as a liposuction surgeon is knowing exactly how much fat to remove and how much to leave in order to attain great results. Instead of simply removing large volumes of fat and “debulking” the target area, Dr. Ereso will also sculpt the remaining fat to create beautiful shapes and curves.
Types Of Liposuction
Several variations to the basic liposuction technique have been introduced. The fat-removal technique that best meets your needs depends on a number of individual factors that our plastic surgeon will discuss with you.
For example, ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is a two-step technique that uses the energy from sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned. Dr. Ereso believes that this liposuction method is particularly useful for dense adherent fat frequently seen in the flanks, upper abdomen, and male breast. It is not necessary to perform UAL on every patient.
The type of instrumentation used during liposuction may also vary. For some areas, a handheld syringe may be used to provide the vacuum instead of a suction pump. Sometimes power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is performed utilizing a motor to move the cannula back and forth.
Dr. Ereso always employs the most advanced, scar-minimizing techniques known to the medical community. If you are considering liposuction, contact Dr. Ereso at his Mountain View practice.
Patient Results
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After Preparation For Surgery
As long as you follow Dr. Ereso’s instructions regarding medications, vitamins, supplements, smoking and alcohol consumption, you will be well-prepared for liposuction. Sticking to a nutritious diet, exercising and getting lots of sleep will also serve you well as you plan to undergo surgery.
Liposuction Procedure Details
To perform liposuction, several small incisions are made near the area to be suctioned. Whenever possible, incisions are placed within the natural folds or contour lines of skin so that they are inconspicuous. The plastic surgeon then injects the areas to be suctioned with a solution of lidocaine and epinephrine, which decreases post-operative pain and significantly reduces the amount of bleeding during the liposuction procedure. This tumescent liposuction technique, used at our Mountain View facility for more than 10 years, enables our plastic surgeon to remove a greater volume of fat more safely. Next, Dr. Ereso places a slim, hollow tube called a cannula through the incision so that its tip penetrates the underlying fat. After the cannula is connected by flexible tubing to a suction pump, the plastic surgeon moves the cannula back and forth through the fat, which is vacuumed into the tube.
Liposuction Recovery
When the procedure is complete, you will be taken to the recovery area on-site at our cosmetic plastic surgery facility in tranquil Mountain View. Any discomfort you may feel can be controlled with medication prescribed by your plastic surgeon. A specially designed compression garment will be applied over the treated areas to control swelling and assist healing. Dr. Ereso believes that wearing the garment allows more rapid shrinkage of your overlying skin after the liposuction procedure. He will ask you to wear it day and night for 1 week and most of the time for the 2nd week. From weeks 2 to 6 after surgery, he will ask you to wear the garment when you are exercising or performing any strenuous physical activity.
Shortly after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and slowly increase your activity. Keep in mind that the speed of your recovery depends largely on the extent of your surgery. Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general timeline:
Within The First Week
- The swelling will reach its peak and then begin to subside
- Your sutures will be removed
- You may return to non-strenuous work
After Several Weeks
- Bruises will fade and eventually disappear
- Areas that felt numb will regain normal sensation
- You may resume most of your normal exercise and activities
- Swelling will continue to subside
Results Of Lipo Surgery
Quite soon after liposuction surgery, you will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body. However, improvement will become even more apparent after a couple of months, when fluid retention and swelling have subsided. For most patients, approximately 90 percent of the final result is evident after about three months.
After your liposuction surgery, you may notice that clothes fit more comfortably, and you feel more confident about your appearance. As long as you maintain your post-operative weight, your new slimmer contour will be permanent. Many patients who gain a few pounds after liposuction surgery find that the weight distributes itself more evenly and does not settle in the same “problem areas.”
As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important to seek the skill of an experienced plastic surgeon in order to obtain optimal results. Dr. Ereso has been performing liposuction and other body contouring procedures at his cosmetic plastic surgery practice in Mountain View for many years. His exceptional experience and dedication to your ideal body are unsurpassed. Our plastic surgeon has the knowledge, skill, and ability to achieve the results you deserve.
Risks Of Liposuction
Liposuction risks include the following:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation under the skin
- Poor wound healing
- Asymmetrical results
As an informed patient, you will need to decide whether the possible risks of liposuction outweigh the benefits. Under the care of Dr. Ereso, you can feel confident that the likelihood of lasting complications is very low. He will ensure you understand all of the potential risks and explain what he does to mitigate these risks.
Complementary Cosmetic Procedures
Liposuction can be performed on its own or in conjunction with another procedure. For example, it is commonly combined with tummy tuck and breast lift or augmentation into mommy makeover. But those are just some of the procedures that pair well with liposuction. Liposuction can also be combined with lower body lift, upper body lift, arm lift or thigh lift.
A discussion with Dr. Ereso about your cosmetic goals can clarify whether you are a suitable candidate for a combination procedure, and if so, what procedure(s) would pair well with liposuction.
“Nothing but top notch service from Dr. Ereso and his staff. He is very professional and kept me aware of everything as it was happening. I am very pleased with my services and would highly recommend Dr. Ereso for any of your surgical needs. Thanks again to Dr. Ereso and staff for making my experience very pleasant!”
Liposuction Costs/Financing
The cost of liposuction depends on the details of the treatment plan – e.g., the technology/approach used and the number of areas treated. Adding another procedure to liposuction increases the cost, too.
When evaluating a liposuction price quote, make sure you understand exactly what is and is not included in the total cost. Does the quote include the surgeon’s fee as well as the facility fee, cost of anesthesia and follow-up care? Do not be afraid to ask our office staff questions about your financial responsibilities, as we are here to help.
Liposuction financing is available for qualified candidates. Financing your liposuction through CareCredit® allows you to undergo surgery now and pay for it in affordable monthly increments. Contact us for more details.
For more information about what liposuction can do for you, please call or email Dr. Ereso at Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center today.
