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FAQ

Liposuction

Liposuction is celebrated for its near-miraculous ability to sculpt the body and make patients look and feel glamorous, youthful, and rejuvenated. At our Sacramento practice, liposuction is used to remove stubborn, unwanted fat deposits from targeted areas of the body. The technique can be used to slim the face, neck, upper arms, trunk, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. Liposuction does not a replacement for weight loss and is best used to address localized fat deposits that have not responded to diet or exercise.

Liposuction is effective on its own as a body contouring procedure, though it can also be combined with other techniques — such as facelift, tummy tuck, or thigh lift — to refine contours and tighten loose skin and underlying tissue.

Candidates for Liposuction

If you are of normal weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and are willing to continue this healthy lifestyle after undergoing liposuction, you are an excellent candidate for this procedure. When healthy lifestyle practices are maintained over a lifetime, liposuction patients will preserve their improved body contour and may even see the contour improve.

Liposuction is not recommended for:

• Obese individuals
• Individuals suffering from certain medical conditions
• Individuals with unrealistic expectations
• Individuals seeking to address cellulite or irregularities caused by structures other than fat
• Individuals with poor skin tone
  • Poor skin tone may be due to weight loss, stretch marks, or aging and will result in sub par results. For these individuals, the skin will not conform to your new contours and additional surgical techniques may be required to tighten excess skin.

How is liposuction performed?

At our Sacramento practice, several liposuction techniques are available. However, Dr. Perry prefers the tumescent liposuction technique. In this method, the targeted areas of fatty tissue are injected with a tumescing fluid, which contains epinephrine (adrenaline) and dilute local anesthetic. This fluid causes the fat cells to "tumesce" making them swell and become firm, thus simplifying the removal of stubborn deposits. When compared to other liposuction techniques, tumescent liposuction is associated with less discomfort during the procedure, as well as an easier recovery period characterized by less bruising and pain.

Liposuction, regardless of technique, is performed through a series of small incisions. A hollow instrument called a cannula slides easily through the incisions and is attached to a vacuum source. The surgeon moves the cannula back and forth vigorously, breaking down fat, and the vacuum removes the remainder with suction.

The type of anesthesia used during the liposuction procedure varies. Many patients prefer general anesthesia, though the anesthetizing fluid used in tumescent liposuction makes it possible to perform the procedure while the patient is simply sedated. If the patient prefers, the anesthetizing tumescing fluid can serve as the sole means of anesthesia.

Following tumescent liposuction, the patient will need to wear dressings and specialized support garments, which help control swelling and promote healing.

Things to Consider Before Undergoing Liposuction

• Financial responsibilities
  Fees for liposuction are not covered by health insurance and include the cost of anesthesia, lab tests, medications, cost of surgical supplies, surgery center charges, and more. If complications develop, you will incur additional charges. However, if the complication poses a health risk, your health plan will cover hospitalization, anesthesia, and/or secondary surgery.
  
• Liposuction cannot replace weight loss, diet, and exercise
  At our Sacramento practice, we consider good candidates for liposuction to be those who are of a normal weight, healthy, and active both before and after their procedure.

Risks of Liposuction

Just like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries certain risks. While these risks are rare, those considering liposuction should educate themselves before making their decision to undergo this procedure. Below is an introduction to liposuction's risks; for more information, schedule your consultation to speak with Dr. Perry about liposuction.

• Bleeding and seroma (fluid accumulation)
  It's unusual, but possible, to have a bleeding episode during or after liposuction. If significant postoperative bleeding occurs, you may require emergency treatment to drain the blood. In addition, it is possible for fluid accumulation to occur in areas sculpted with liposuction. The draining of this fluid, as well as additional surgery, may be necessary.
  
• Infection
  Like tummy tuck or any other surgery we offer at our Sacramento practice, infection after liposuction surgery is unusual. However, the rare development of an infection would require treatment using antibiotics or additional surgery.
  
• Change in skin sensation
  It's possible to experience a temporary loss of skin sensation after liposuction, but sensation will return over time. In rare cases, diminished or complete loss of sensation does not completely resolve.
  
• Skin discoloration/swelling
  Commonly, skin discoloration and swelling is experienced after liposuction. It's rare for swelling and discoloration to persist for a long time, and permanent skin discoloration is also unusual.
  
• Irregular skin contour
  Irregularities such as dimpling, wrinkling, and skin depressions may follow liposuction, possibly requiring additional treatments, including surgery, to correct.
  
• Asymmetry
  Normal pre-surgery asymmetry in the body's features is affected by skin, muscle tone, and bone prominence. Just as the body is not symmetrical before liposuction, it will not be symmetrical afterward.
  
• Unsatisfactory result
  Despite realistic expectations about the results of liposuction, some patients are disappointed with the outcome. In rare cases, a patient's results are improved through additional surgery.
  
• Surgical shock
  Especially when multiple or extensive areas are treated with liposuction, the procedure can cause severe trauma, including infections or excessive fluid loss that can cause severe illness or even death. For this reason, patients planning large volume liposuction (greater than 5000 cc's) may be advised to be monitored post-operatively and remain overnight in the hospital.
  
• Long-term alterations in body contour
  These can occur over time because of many circumstances unrelated to liposuction, such as aging, pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain, or other factors.
  
• Skin loss or chronic pain
  Skin loss and chronic pain after liposuction are extremely rare conditions, but can occur.
  
• Pulmonary complications
  In very rare cases, fat embolism syndrome — when the lungs trap fat droplets — can occur, and is sometimes deadly. This complication necessitates hospitalization and additional treatment.
  
• Need for additional surgery

Complications from liposuction are rare but cannot be predicted. In some cases, complications will create a need for additional surgery or other treatments.

Liposuction at Chrysalis Cosmetics

If diet and exercise have left you disappointed, consider liposuction as a way to attain the beautiful body you deserve! Our practice offers state-of-the-art liposuction techniques, as well as a surgeon skilled in safely giving you the body contour you desire. Contact our Sacramento practice today to learn more about liposuction, or to schedule a consultation.

 

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