Liposuction/Liposculpture

Suction-assisted lipectomy, liposuction is a technique used to aspirate or remove fatty deposits from virtually any area of the body. The most frequently involved areas include the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs and knees. Again, just as with body contouring procedures, liposuction is not a panacea or primary procedure for weight reduction. It is aimed at removal of focal areas of fatty deposition that are unresponsive to dieting and exercise. The best candidates for liposuction are generally patients who are in good physical health and psychologically stable with realistic expectations. In consultation with your Fayetteville Plastic Surgery Physician, the elasticity or firmness of your skin will be determined and may be the most important factor dictating the results of your liposuction surgery. Your appearance and self confidence can be greatly enhanced with the changes made available with liposuction.

The procedure itself is usually performed in our fully accredited Fayetteville Ambulatory Surgery Center. Multiple small incisions are usually utilized. The scars resulting from these small incisions are relatively inconspicuous. Even though liposuction remains a very safe procedure, infrequent minor complications, including fluid accumulation, skin injury, or irregularities in the surface contour of the skin, may occur even if your surgeon is extremely skilled. We at Fayetteville Plastic Surgery have incorporated ultrasound therapy as a post liposuction adjunct to alleviate the infrequent surface contour irregularity. As always, smoking may increase your risks of liposuction surgery. You will likely be asked to refrain from smoking for two weeks prior to and following surgery as well as avoiding any aspirin containing medications that may increase your risk of bleeding and bruising.

During your initial consultation with Dr. Miller or Mary Lee Cudd, you should be forthright in discussing your areas of concern and expectations from liposuction surgery. Your surgeon will be equally forthright in determining which areas should be addressed and which technique would be most efficacious for your particular situation. Dr. Miller or Mary Lee Cudd will also describe the type of anesthesia to be used and the specific facilities available to perform the procedure.

The surgery itself usually takes one to two hours, but this time may vary depending on the number of areas and the amount of fat to be suctioned. During the operation, a hollow tube cannula is inserted through the small incisions. The cannula is manipulated within the layers of fat to break up and suction the fat from your body. After the surgery, you will be placed in a snug elastic garment or girdle which must be worn over the suctioned area to help control swelling and fluid accumulation. This garment may be worn anywhere from two to six weeks depending on your surgeon’s instructions and preferences. The first 24 to 48 hours of recovery may find you sore and bruised. In addition, your weight may even slightly increase due to the fluids given during the surgery. The pain and soreness may be controlled with medications prescribed by Dr. Miller or Mary Lee Cudd. Sensation will most likely be decreased in the areas that were suctioned. This is usually a temporary phenomenon and subsides over the ensuing weeks to months. You will most likely be on your feet within one to two days of the surgery, depending on how much work was performed. Any stitches that were placed are usually removed in 7 to 10 days. Your follow-up visits will be scheduled as indicated by your individual recovery pattern.

Liposuction is an extremely effective technique for creating a new body, neck or facial contour with minimal scarring. The results are permanent, provided you maintain a routine exercise regimen and eat a sensible diet. Most patients have an improved self confidence and self esteem after liposuction and are very satisfied with their results. If you follow Dr. Miller or Mary Lee Cudd's recommendations and instructions, you should be pleased with your new appearance.