Liposuction: A Contoured Body as a Symbol of Good Health

Most of us desire to maintain a healthy looking appearance and can generally do so by remaining active and eating healthy, but for some individuals even extreme dieting and/or excise cannot rid the body of excess localized fat deposits.  This can lead to frustrating and unhealthy habits, including diminished self-esteem.

Fortunately, there is an option for those who cannot lose these stubborn fat pockets despite great efforts.  Liposuction or lipoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that thins and contours targeted areas of the body by removing excess fat between the skin and muscles to improve one’s overall appearance. While liposuction can be used on most parts of the body, it is most common in the following areas:

  • Face, cheeks, chin
  • Neck
  • Chest
  • Abdomen, waist
  • Arms
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Buttocks
  • Knees
  • Calves

There are a variety of liposuction techniques that exist today, but the most common applications are the traditional technique which is simply the surgical suctioning of fat; the tumescent or super-wet liposuction technique that involves an injection of saline solution into the targeted fat deposits to help break up the fatty deposits and more effectively remove the fat; ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) which uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy fat and assist in surgical removal; and laser liposuction which uses laser technology to melt the fat which is typically them removed with traditional liposuction techniques.

Liposuction procedures are generally performed in an outpatient setting or surgical center where the patient is released later the same day.  Depending on the extent of work desired, some patients are required to stay overnight in a hospital for observation.  If only light liposuction is necessary, a local anesthesia may be administered but, again, depending on the amount of fat removal desired, general anesthesia is recommended.  Once you are comfortable and/or asleep, the surgeon will make small incisions in the targeted area and insert a cannula, a thin stainless steel tube which suctions out the fat to reveal a new, more contoured appearance.  The surgeon will use dissolvable or non dissolvable sutures to close the incision.  Some incisions are so small that they do not even require sutures.

Compression garments are applied post surgery to control swelling and assist in proper healing.   Temporary bruising, aching and tingling sensations are all normal recovery symptoms that can be relieved with prescription medication from your doctor.  Full benefits are noticeable after swelling has subsided.  While there is a brief recovery period of approximately two months, most patients return to work within a week post surgery.  However, strenuous activity should be postponed for a full eight weeks.

It is important to remember that liposuction is not a substitute for healthy diet and regular exercise, so maintaining good health and a stable weight is key to ensuring the long-lasting benefits of liposuction surgery.  Ideal candidates for liposuction are non-smoking, healthy adults who are within 30% of their ideal weight and not affected by medical conditions that can impair healing.

Plastic Surgeon Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. performs a variety of liposuction procedures for patients of the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, SC and Savannah, GA areas.  Dr. Weniger understands that liposuction is a highly individualized procedure that requires careful consideration and thorough evaluation of one’s fat density, skin tone and elasticity in order to determine the most effective liposuction approach.  His goal at every consultation is to learn about your cosmetic concerns and goals through surgical achievement.  Dr. Weniger commonly practices manual suctioning with a syringe in areas where fat removal is isolated.  To learn more about liposuction procedures in the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, SC and Savannah GA area, please contact Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. at his Bluffton, SC office at 843-757-0123 or visit him online at https://www.wenigerplasticsurgery.com/.