Liposuction (Liposculpture) - Stomach, Thigh, Rear, Arm, Face, Neck | Tumescent, Power Assisted, Ultrasound, Laser Fat Removal

Liposuction and Liposculpture

Liposuction (also called liposculpture or lipoplasty) is cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from behind the skin and muscle. It can be performed on the stomach (abdomen), the rear (butt), the hips and thighs, the arms, as well as the face and neck. Liposuction uses a suction pump, in which a small steel tube (cannula or microcannula) is inserted into the fat through small incisions. The fat - sometimes up to two gallons - is then removed.

Liposuction cosmetic surgery / liposculpture procedures

Liposuction can be an option for men and women, when there are pockets of excess fat that won't budge. Maybe, when you look in the mirror, wearing tight jeans or a bathing suit, you see a muffin top bulge you don't like by your tummy. Or your clothing feels snug, with so-called saddlebags in the thighs. Lipoplasty might be able to help, either alone, or in combination with other types of cosmetic surgery. But do your research, and find a good doctor. There are different types of liposculpture surgery:

Tumescent liposuction - In tumescent liposculpture, large amounts of diluted anesthetic and epinephrine are injected into the fat. This causes the area to swell, hence the word tumescent. The anesthesia acts on the pain, and the epinephrine acts to constrict tiny blood vessels, which can reduce blood loss during the procedure. With tumescent liposuction, general anesthesia or IV sedation can be avoided. Tumescent lipoplasty can result in much less blood loss as well.

Power assisted liposuction (PAL) - PAL devices use an electric motor or compressed air to move the cannula, either in a fast in-and-out movement or in a spinning rotation.

Laser liposuction, VASER ® Liposelection, Lipotherme and SmartLipo ^TM - VASER Liposelection and SmartLipo dissolve fat cells using ultrasound or laser energy delivered through a small sterile probe. In VASER assisted lipo (VAL), the fat is melted, and then massaged, and then suctioned out with tiny cannulas. During VASER body sculpting, the area to be treated is filled with a special saline solution to numb the site, just as in tumescent liposuction. After treatment with ultrasound, the fat is removed. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. After it, you wear a pressure garment for several days. In SmartLipo, the fat is treated with a high-powered laser. A very small cannula containing a laser fiber is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth to deliver the laser's energy to the fat cells, which makes them rupture. The fat is removed. SmartLipo can treat small areas of the face and neck, as well as arms, knees, back and breasts. There is also a laser assisted liposculpture device for localized fat deposits, called Lipotherme. Lipotherme uses a continuous wave diode laser that can be adjusted.

Wet and super wet liposculpture - This type of surgery is done under general anesthesia.

Ultrasound assisted lipo (UAL) - UAL or ultrasound liposuction delivers high-intensity, high-frequency external ultrasound to the tissue prior to liposculpture. Tumescent liposuction can then be performed.

Liposuction costs

Prices or cost of lipoplasty depend on the type of surgery being done and the area being targeted. If an anesthesiologist is required, the liposuction pricing can be higher. Liposculpture can be used on different areas of the body, including:

• Abdominal liposuction - the stomach or abdominal area is one of the most common for this surgery. Belly bulges caused by pregnancy or C-sections can be treated by liposuction. If you've lost weight, but still have excess skin in the stomach area, it may be treated this way. Costs or prices for the abdominal area range from $3000 to $8000. Some stomach problems would work better for a tummy tuck of abdominoplasty.
• Liposuction for love handles or muffin tops - so-called love handles or muffin tops are the two side sections over the hips, and they are another common area for treatment with liposculpture.
• Liposuction on the thighs and hips - thighs and hips can be treated with lipo surgery, but it's important to avoid removing too much fat on the thighs, especially at one time. Liposuction on the thighs is often done as a series of procedures. The inner thighs, the outer thighs, the hips (saddlebag liposuction) and some areas around the knee can be done. Costs for these areas range from $2000 to $5000 per area.
• Arm liposuction - on some people, liposculpture can improve the appearance of the arms, removing hanging or flapping skin that can dangle down when you extend your arms. Costs for arm liposuction range from $2000 to $5000.
• Liposuction for the rear end, buttocks - liposculpture can help shape the rear end. Costs for these areas range from $2000 to $5000.
• Chin liposuction, face liposuction, neck liposuction - Facial liposculpture can remove excess fat from the chin and jaw line or jowls. It can also be used to help shape the neck. Lipo on the face can also be combined with other treatments for aging skin, such as laser resurfacing or cosmetic fillers. Prices and costs for facial liposuction range from $2000 to $5000 per area. liposculpture may not be appropriate for all faces. Some people would be better candidates for a facial plastic surgery such as an eye lift.
• Male breast liposuction - men with enlarged breasts can use liposuction to make their breasts smaller. There are two types of male breast problems. Gynecomastia is caused by excessive glandular breast tissue. Pseudo-gynecomastia is caused by an excessive amount of fat tissue. Men with excessive fat in their breasts can expect a great deal of improvement with the tumescent procedure. This is, of course, not the only type of male liposuction. The other procedures available for women are available for men as well.

Liposuction results

This surgery can help with some kinds of sagging skin. It can also be done with other procedures, including body sculpting, facial plastic surgery such as face lift, as well as anti-aging skin treatments. But it isn't easy surgery. After liposuction, there will be pain and swelling in the treated area. Complications can include:

• too much fat removed
• risks of anesthesia
• uneven skin pockets and depressions

After a liposuction procedure, plan on resting at least a day and avoid driving. Talk with your doctor about gradually resuming physical activity after liposculpture surgery. Be careful standing up too quickly to avoid fainting. Post-op compression garments can be used for several days, and pads can absorb drainage from the incisions. Do not use heat, ice or water on the treated skin areas until your doctor says you can. Also, avoid sunburn by wearing sun protective clothing. Remember too that even though the fat has been removed, you still need to follow a healthy diet, to prevent weight gain later on.

Liposuction links and resources

If you are considering this type of cosmetic surgery, it is important that you investigate thoroughly. Don't be lured by promises of cheap liposuction. You should also consider alternatives such as exercise and diet before considering surgical options. There are many links to liposuction resources such as forums and message boards where you may find helpful liposuction information. Keep in mind that the liposculpture information you get on message boards and forums may not be correct, so read everything with a skeptical eye.

Another resource for liposuction information is the surgeon. Success of your liposuction surgery depends on your wound-healing ability and the skill of the surgeon. Ask to see liposuction before-and-after photos from your doctor. It is essential that you use a qualified plastic surgeon for this procedure. For example, some boards related to cosmetic surgery require medical training, such as:

• American Board of Plastic Surgery or ABPS (which certifies doctors in plastic surgery of the face and body)
• American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery or ABFPRS (which certifies physicians in the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery)
• the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, which certifies all doctors in Canada

Other boards in related fields include:

• American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO) which certifies physicians in head and neck surgery
• American Board of Dermatology which certifies doctors in the field of dermatology or skin care.

Other organizations also include the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Canadian Society for Aesthetic (Cosmetic) Plastic Surgery, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. You can investigate resources and links from all these organizations.

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:

verify here.

Updated June 2009

© | All rights reserved.