Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Liposuction
LIPOSUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION
Liposuction sculpts the body into more aesthetic shapes through precision planning and advanced techniques. The predictability and effectiveness of these techniques has advanced greatly in recent years through the use of very small cannulas. This is a slower but more precise technique. With now over 20 years of worldwide experience, indications for liposuction have broadened well beyond the trunk to include the calves, ankles, arms, and neck. Further, recent studies have shown that removing fat in some individuals can actually improve cardiovascular risk factors. It also appears that removing fat from some key areas early in life avoids many years of the weight and bulk of that fat stretching the skin. This can minimize loose skin or sag later.
Indications: Accumulations of fat resistant to diet and exercise. Common areas to be addressed are the neck, upper arms, male or female breasts, back, flanks, abdomen, love handles, thighs, saddlebags, inner knees, calves and ankles.
Intended Results: Improvement in contour and more flattering shape.
Procedure Description: This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on the size and number of areas treated. Liposuction with larger suction volumes requires an overnight stay in the hospital which will be arranged for you. A local anesthetic is first placed into the areas. Then, fine suction tubes or cannulas are placed through small incisions and the excess fat is removed.
Recuperation and Healing: After surgery, a compression garment is worn on the treated areas. One can return to work in 3-4 days. Bruising and swelling mostly resolve in 4-6 weeks.
Other Options: As liposuction does not tighten skin, one may consider Abdominoplasty, Buttock-thigh lift or Armplasty in those areas where sagging skin is more of a problem.
Ultrasonic Liposuction: An Old Passing Fad
Surgeons worldwide are abandoning ultrasonic liposuction now at an increasing rate. A major study at the national meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by Dr.Gerald Pitman showed the results of a large comparison of ultrasonic liposuction cases versus traditional liposuction cases. It was demonstrated clearly that ultrasonic liposuction resulted in more disappointing and dangerous complications. Since the outcome of this study was determined, the author has completely abandoned ultrasonic liposuction. In an article published in Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Coleman summarizes the American experience with ultrasonic liposuction as follows: "The recent experience with ultrasonic liposuction, which was introduced with a great deal of promise but now is largely abandoned due to increased complications, has left many surgeons skeptical of new technology for liposuction." Tracy Baker, M.D. of the University of Miami describes, "Ultrasonic liposuction is much to do about nothing. He abandoned the technique because he began "running into problems I never saw with traditional liposuction such as parethesias [a specific type of pain.]"
Finally, some local insight may be quite helpful in one's information gathering. Two nurses on staff at Hubbard Plastic Surgery previously worked at two separate plastic surgery practices where ultrasonic liposuction was used extensively. Both can give useful comparative information since they have seen the results of traditional liposuction at Hubbard Plastic Surgery for a number of years. Please ask to speak with Tonya or Mary Beth. Good reliable information is extremely valuable.
Direct Comparison of Ultrasound and Tumescent Liposuction in Humans
In a well-controlled human study these two techniques of liposuction were directly compared for the amount of tissue damage and blood loss. This study was published in the September 2002 journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In the lower abdomen, one side was treated with ultrasonic liposuction and the other side with tumescent liposuction. On careful laboratory evaluation, the ultrasound side was found to have greater tissue damage and greater blood loss. Also mentioned in the journal was the common finding of greater pain from ultrasound assisted liposuction, possibly due to nerve damage.
More Information:
Liposuction, also known as suction assisted lipectomy, is the surgical removal of fat beneath the skin. This procedure is very effective at sculpting prominences of fat and it is amazing how many areas of the body can actually be improved with this technique. Although ideal patients have no overlying skin problems, most patients start out with some skin looseness or irregularity and are still very happy with the results of liposuction. The fat deposits are removed and contour is greatly improved; however the skin irregularity or looseness will show little improvement with liposuction alone. A consultation with Dr. Hubbard will provide you with all of your options for reaching your desired result. Dr. Hubbard will listen carefully to your concerns and what you hope to accomplish. He will then customize your procedure to best meet your individual needs.
Please visit our Photo Gallery Page to see examples of Liposuction or click on the following links for information on other procedures.
 Before Liposuction of the Abdomen |
 After Liposuction of the Abdomen |
 Before Liposuction of the Abdomen |
 After Liposuction of the Abdomen |
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