LIPOSUCTION


Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, underarms, chin, cheeks and neck. Today, a number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique, and the super-wet technique are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods. Liposuction may be used to treat a condition called gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which frequently occurs among both teenage and adult males.

Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for overall weight loss; nor is it an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin an uneven, dimpled appearance. Alternative treatments may be considered, in some instances, to improve this problem. Liposuction can be performed on several areas of the body at the same time, and it can also be done in conjunction with other aesthetic plastic surgery.

THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION


You must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It is important to understand that liposuction can enhance the body. Your age is not a major consideration. However, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

PLANNING YOUR SURGERY


During your initial consultation, Dr. Saieh will evaluate your health, determine where you fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. Dr. Saieh will explain the body-contouring methods that are appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" may also help meet your goals; it can be done at the same time as the liposuction, or later as a second procedure.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY


Dr. Saieh will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, to avoid smoking, and taking or voiding some vitamins and certain medications. Please stop, at least two weeks before surgery, all prescription and non-prescription herbal-like vitamins, diet pills, energizers, stimulants and appetite suppressants either bought in the USA or a foreign country, i.e. Mexico, etc. Bring them to the office and tell Dr. Saieh about them. Do not take Aspirin or Ibuprofen or any other related anti-inflammatory products for a period of three (3) weeks prior to surgery and four (4) weeks after surgery, because they can cause increased bleeding. To take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is okay. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery.

LOCATION FOR THE SURGERY


Liposuction may be performed at Dr. Saieh's surgical office suite, at an outpatient surgery center, or at a hospital. The decision of where to perform the surgery depends on several factors; among them are how much fat is going to be removed, your medical history, and what kind of medications you are taking. This decision will be made between Dr. Saieh and yourself while taking all these factors into consideration during your consultation.

ANESTHESIA FOR LIPOSUCTION


Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. Together, you and Dr. Saieh will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery. Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas, along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed during the procedure. Regional anesthesia can be a good choice for more extensive procedures. One type of regional anesthesia is the epidural block, the same type of anesthesia commonly used in childbirth. Some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed; you are completely asleep during this procedure.

HOW LIPOSUCTION IS PERFORMED


Fat is removed by first inserting a small, hollow tube, called a cannula, through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed as inconspicuously as possible, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected by tubing to a vacuum pressure unit. Guided by Dr. Saieh, the suction device literally vacuums away the unwanted fat. Prior to performing liposuction, fluid is instilled into the areas to be suctioned. Dr. Saieh may use the "wet" or "tumescent" technique that introduces large amounts of fluid, or other variations. Dr. Saieh will discuss with you the particular method that he recommends for treating specific areas of your body. Other options may involve the type of instrumentation used or whether suctioning is performed on the deep or more superficial layers of fat. These considerations are based in large part upon the goals that you and Dr. Saieh have set for your body contouring surgery.