Liposuction
Liposuction is the removal of fat deposits from select areas of the body...
Expected results
Liposuction provides an improvement in the body shape and proportion. The desired results take shape over the course of 6 months.
Will it hurt?
The procedure is done under a general anesthesia, so pain is minimal. There may be slight discomfort after the procedure that's easily controlled with medication.
How is it done?
Small hollow tube is inserted through tiny incisions near the areas to be suctioned. Excess fat is permanently removed with suction.
Will it leave a scar?
Scars are very small and are placed in strategic areas so they're not noticeable once they've healed.
Will I have to take time off of work or from my normal daily routine?
Work or normal activities can be resumed in 1 week. Bruising and swelling subsides in 2-4 weeks, and the patient wears a compression garment covering the treated areas for 6 weeks. The garment helps reduce swelling and makes the final results take shape more quickly.
Are there any risks?
Loss of sensation - Any numbness or loss of sensation is usually temporary and will be gone within a few months.
Lumps or firmness under the skin - Firmness or lumps under the skin may be evident during the healing phase and will disappear over time.
Asymmetry - Few people are evenly shaped before this procedure. It is difficult to make patients perfectly symmetrical.
Waviness, wrinkling or dimpling of the skin - The condition of the skin (tight or loose) will likely be the same after liposuction.
One of the more popular cosmetic surgical procedures is liposuction. Liposuction is not new – it originated in the 1970's – and technical advances and thirty years of practical experience allows for excellent results with minimal risk.
When performed by a highly qualified surgeon, liposuction is a safe and effective way to reshape the body by removing excess fat from selected areas – the stomach (abdomen), buttocks, inner and outer thighs, knees, arms, breast, calves and chin.
Liposuction is typically performed on patients who have localized fat deposits that are unresponsive to dieting and exercise. In females this most commonly occurs in the breast, hip, thigh and arm areas. In males it's typically in the areas of the chest, abdomen and lumbar ("love handles").
The procedure is not intended as a weight reduction alternative to proper diet and exercise - the objective is to improve the body's shape, not to reduce excess weight. Liposuction should therefore be viewed as complementary to a healthy lifestyle in pursuit of the desired body shape.
It's important for patients to have the right expectation level - a consultation with Dr. Sleightholm will determine what outcome a patient can reasonably expect. The best candidates for liposuction are those that have localized fat deposits, and relatively smooth, elastic skin with minimal cellulite and stretch marks.