Some areas of the body are extremely resistant to fat reduction and muscle toning despite a person’s most valiant efforts with diet and exercise. Localized fat deposits on the flanks, hips abdomen, neck, upper arms, back, and buttocks are cumbersome for both men and women who are overweight and even those who maintain a healthy weight. Dr. Perez-Gurri and Dr. Garcia perform various liposuction techniques at their facility in Miami, that target these stubborn areas to sculpt the body into a more aesthetically pleasing shape.
Men and women commonly choose liposuction to reduce stubborn fat deposits. Men often choose to improve the flanks and abdomen, while women most often choose the abdomen, back, hips, and arms.
The best candidates for liposuction are at or near a healthy weight for their height and have maintained their weight for at least three months. Healthy weight maintenance can help prolong the results of liposuction.
Men and women with good skin elasticity typically experience the best results with liposuction. Some patients with minimal skin laxity can experience similar results by choosing VASERlipo®, which can also tighten the skin.
Genetics determine the shape of the body and the areas where the most weight is carried. Liposuction can accentuate the curves of the body to provide an hourglass silhouette for women or a firmer, more masculine V-shape for men.
Consistent exercise is often insufficient to reveal muscle tone through the skin. Liposuction removes the stubborn layers of fat and sculpts the area to more readily reveal toned muscles.
All of the techniques used at Imagos Institute of Plastic Surgery that are widely used for fat reduction and are considered safe. Less bruising and swelling are associated with VASERlipo®, which uses ultrasound technology to gently liquefy the fat. Your procedure will be completely customized depending on your desires for recovery time and amount of fat reduction.
The liposuction techniques used allow for increased precision during the sculpting process. Dr. Perez-Gurri and Dr. Garcia’s experience with the liposuction procedure has made them experts at maintaining symmetry and smooth contours for the most natural-looking results in even the smallest areas.
Patients typically plan to take up to one week off from work to recover from liposuction. A compression garment should be worn in the weeks following surgery as the body conforms to its new contours. Most of the swelling will subside completely after two months, and the results will be noticeable. Most patients are cleared for regular exercise after four to six weeks.
Only small scars will result from liposuction since only a few small incisions are made in the area(s) chosen for fat reduction. Scars are less than an inch in length and will fade significantly with time.
The cost of liposuction will depend on many factors including the area(s) chosen and the amount of fat to be removed. Liposuction costs also depend on the geographic area in which the procedure is performed. According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average surgeon’s fee for one to two areas of liposuction was $2,971 in 2014. This average cost does not include anesthesia costs, operating room fees, or any other related expenses.
Patients will be completely asleep during the procedure under general anesthesia. After surgery, patients may experience some pain or discomfort that can be managed by prescription pain medication. Compression garments will also help to reduce pain and swelling.
Dr. Perez-Gurri and Dr. Garcia use power-assisted liposuction and VASERlipo®. Power-assisted liposuction uses tiny, rapid vibrations to break up fat, which results in increased safety, better results, and a shorter recovery than traditional liposuction. VASERlipo® uses ultrasound technology to reduce fat and assist with the contracture of the overlying skin to produce a firmer result. Dr. Garcia does the national and international training for VASERlipo® and is highly skilled in this liposuction technique.
Patients will usually lose several inches from the area treated with liposuction along with a firmer appearance. The body continues to heal, and the skin conforms to the new contours to reveal the final results after about approximately three months.
The goal of liposuction is to reduce localized fat deposits. Since no skin is removed during the procedure, liposuction may actually worsen the appearance of sagging skin. Body lifting procedures such as the arm lift, tummy tuck, or thigh lift will reduce excess skin and can be performed in conjunction with liposuction.
Liposuction is not a procedure for weight loss. Most patients lose some pounds, but this will depend on the areas chosen and the extent of fat removed.
Most of the risks associated with liposuction are rare or temporary. Risks include but are not limited to the following:
“Cellulite” refers to irregularities that occurred on the surface of the skin. Liposuction will not cure cellulite; it will remove fat and reduce contour. Patients with severe cases of cellulite will not benefit from liposuction surgery and may require skin excision (for example tummy tuck or thigh lifting) to achieve their desired results.
If you’re not sure which procedure you need, let us help by providing additional information and answers to your questions. Schedule a consultation so our doctors can meet with you to discuss your needs, desired results and how to refresh or transform your appearance with a Liposuction procedure.