What is liposuction?

Liposuction, either traditional tumescent, ultrasonic, or power assisted liposuction, SmartLipo and SlimLipo are some of the most common procedures that I perform. Liposuction is performed at the hospital outpatient surgery center under either local anesthesia with IV sedation or under general anesthesia- both administered by an MD anesthesiologist. Liposuction can be done on any part of the body where there is excess fat. First, tumescent fluid is injected through small cuts placed near the area to be treated. Then, various cannulas, or tubes with holes at the ends, are used to separate and remove the fat. The actual improvement is seen at surgery. I try and take as much fat as possible from the different areas. Sometimes, I use an ultrasonic machine or power machine in areas like the back or upper abdomen where the fat does not separate easily. This tends to liquefy the fat and then the usual cannulas are used to remove it. After the surgery which usually takes about one hour, I place the patient into a supportive type girdle/elastic binder or dressing for about one week. I see the patient the following day and change the dressings. The patient is allowed to shower then. The swelling is still minimal but increases until about the seventh day by which time most of the black and blue has appeared. When it goes away at about three or four weeks, about 60% of the swelling is gone. The remaining swelling goes over the following months. There really are almost no restrictions as to activity but I usually recommend no exercising for about one week for more black and blue may result. Complications are usually minimal and are things like unevenness, waviness which usually can be treated with a touch-up or fluid collection which is treated by aspiration. Severe problems like pulmonary embolism can occur but are extremely rare. The actual cost of the procedure varies but what areas are treated and how much is there. It could vary from $3000 to well over $8000 with the average about $6000. Also, liposuction can be combined with other procedures.

Dr. Ed Domanskis, Plastic Surgeon, Newport Beach (www.surgery-plastic.com).