Liposuction in San Francisco

WHO IS A CANDIDATE?

Liposuction is an excellent procedure for reducing and reshaping the fat of the body. Liposuction can be done at almost any age. The best liposuction results are in people with good skin tone, so that the skin will shrink down to the reduced size of the underlying tissues. Loose, sagging skin will remain so after liposuction, so people with this problem may instead require a surgical lift.

Liposuction is a good treatment for diet-resistant fat, but it is not really suitable as a substitute for weight loss. By State law, liposuction of more than 5 kilograms (about 11 pounds) of material (combined fat plus body fluids plus injected fluids) requires that a patient stay overnight in a hospital. To avoid this expense and the higher risks associated with such "large-volume liposuction," Dr. Cedars will not remove more than this amount, which translates into at most 8-9 pounds of fat. Practically, diet and exercise are a better route to weight loss for most people, saving liposuction to achieve body shaping or sculpting.

WHAT RESULTS CAN BE EXPECTED?

The treated areas will be thinner, typically flatter, and more shapely. Large bumps will be removed or reduced. While there is an immediate shape change after surgery, some swelling is normal. Most goes away over a month, but the final shape may not appear until perhaps 6 months.

It is a common misconception that if you remove, say, 5 pounds of fat with liposuction and then gain 5 pounds, you will end up the shape you started. In fact, the new weight will instead be distributed all over the body. It is possible to defeat the operation, however—if you gain large amounts of weight, some of it will go to the the treated areas—so we recommend exercise and an appropriate diet to be healthy and fit at any weight.

HOW IS LIPOSUCTION DONE?

Dr. Cedars uses a "tumescent technique." After the induction of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, a large volume, up to several quarts, of very dilute local anesthetic is injected into the areas to be treated. There is a tiny dose of adrenaline in the fluid as well, which makes the blood vessels in the area clamp down. This prevents perhaps 95% of the blood loss that would otherwise occur.

Thin hollow stainless steel tubes are placed through short (perhaps 1/4") incisions in the area treated and are used to suction away the appropriate amount of fat. Sheets of lightweight foam are placed on the treated areas, and a compression garment, like a corset, is placed. Bruising is usually scant.

AFTERCARE

Pain typically requires mild narcotic pills for several days. Depending on the size of the area treated, most people are back at work within a week. To help shape and smooth the treated areas, the compression garment is worn for a month.

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