Procedure
Liposuction
When Should I Consider Liposuction?
- Localized areas of fat, resistant to diet and exercise.
- Not for body weight reduction; desire in contour improvements.
- Out of proportion areas.
Our Liposuction Technique
The Gillian Institute’s liposuction contouring technique is sculpting the ultimate medium – The Human Body. Doctors at The Gillian Institute use the tumescent technique and ultrasound assisted liposuction technique. Liposuction terms such as SmartLipo and Laser Liposuction have been gaining popularity from the media, but we do not believe either of these techniques offer advantages compared to the ultrasound assisted liposuction technique. Our liposuction technique is a four step technique which includes, tumescent, external and internal ultrasound, and traditional liposuction. We believe in the ultrasound assisted liposuction because it gives patients superior results to traditional liposuction only. Some areas of fat are more difficult to treat, either because of genetics or previous surgery. The most common areas amendable to liposuction are the abdomen, hips or love handles, inner and outer thighs, knees, neck, and arms bilaterally. Liposuction to the calves for example can be performed but are higher risk for irregularities. The love handles in men, the back, and the upper abdomen tend to have a tougher, firmer fat that can be difficult to remove.
Procedure
The technique is a four step technique including: tumescent, external and internal ultrasound, and traditional liposuction. The Internal Ultrasound and External Ultrasound can be especially helpful. The incisions made for liposuction are very small, 2-2.5 cm in length, and are located in well hidden areas such as the inside of the belly button for liposuction to the abdomen, the pubic area and infraglutetal crease for the thighs.
The first step in liposuction consists of tumescent. The tumescent technique includes injection of local anesthetic in solution, which causes a contraction of the blood vessels and significantly decreases blood loss, bruising, and improves pain control. The tumescent technique decreases the recovery time and improves the smoothness of the result. The internal ultrasound is used to treat the deep layers by using a vibratory motion combined with heat to liquify or “melt” the fat.
The internal ultrasound device has made fat removal easier; and in many cases, it is possible to remove more fat than with traditional liposuction because the fat cells are removed in a more liquid form with promoting skin contraction.
The external ultrasound is a device used to treat the superficial layers by promoting skin contraction also. By using this combined therapy, The Gillian Institute can increase the amount removed with reducing the risk of skin irregularities, promotion of skin contraction, and improvement of cellulite. UAL (ultrasound-assisted liposuction) is typically less traumatic and the ability to contour is increased. We usually incorporate both the internal and external ultrasound for assistance in liposuction. The last step in the liposuction technique is the use of traditional liposuction cannulas to remove the fatty tissue cells by utilizing an appropriate amount of suction for gentle removal.
Fat Harvesting
The fat removed from the liposuction procedure can also be harvested at the same time and transferred to any depressions or irregularities in the skin or tissue from previous liposuction or SmartLipo/LaserLipo techniques, facial rejuvenation, hand rejuvenation, buttock re-shaping, and breast rejuvenation. The fat harvested from the body is all natural and is a permanent, long lasting option for correction of depressions or deep creases to the body, face, and hands as well as lifting the buttock area and providing a more shapely buttock, without emphasis on necessary an increase in volume, but improvement in contours. The fat removed from liposuction can be used for breast augmentation, improvement in implant wrinkling, and improvement with upper pole fullness following mastopexy or breast reduction procedures. The uses of fat have been increasing with board certified plastic surgeons and this concept will only gain popularity in the next decade.
Staging for Recovery
The Gillian Institute may recommend staging the liposuction procedures (waiting 2-3 months between) to allow for adequate recovery. Larger volume liposuction (volumes greater than 5-7 liters takes longer in surgery, is more expensive, and requires more recovery. Volumes greater than 5-6 liters of liposuction removal will require an overnight stay at the surgery center to provide optimal hydration and monitoring overnight for patients. Volumes less than 5 liters of liposuction removal will allow for a quicker recovery even if multiple body areas area treated at the same time. We do not recommend exceeding 10 liters of liposuction removal.
A patient whom wishes to have her abdomen, hips, thighs, and knees contoured with liposuction may be required to stage the areas. We recommend staging for multiple areas of the body to ensure safety and excellent liposuction results. It is important to know how much the surgeon plans to remove when comparing prices and results. The cost will vary based on amount and time required for surgery. For example, liposuction of the abdomen may range from 1.0 Liter to 4 Liters based on multiple factors.
Recovery
The results from the liposuction procedure are permanent and long lasting. Our doctors recommend maintaining your preoperative weight, because if you gain weight in the future, the liposity will be added to your figure, just not typically the area(s) that were treated with liposuction.
The Gillian Institute surgeons recommend a post-operative compression garment and the use of special compression pads referred to as Topifoam pads. The Topifoam pads will provide improved skin contraction, decrease bruising and swelling, and aid in skin molding after surgery. The Topifoam pads are recommended for the first 1-2 weeks.
The compression garment will be especially tailored to your measurements to provide a perfect fit to decrease swelling and bruising as quickly as possible.
The doctor will also recommend post operative massage using the external ultrasound device and technology in the office. The external ultrasound massage will begin 1-2 weeks following surgery depending on the swelling and any presence of fluid collections. The external ultrasound massage will reduce the swelling and any areas of firmness related to swelling, encourage the body’s lymphatic system to improve swelling, and increase the tissue softness.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
An additional procedure that may enhance the result is a body lift procedure to address any skin looseness or add to the additional contour improvements by replacing the fat to other areas in the body or face for a more shapely and youthful result. Depending on your desires and the condition of your skin and abdominal wall muscles, you may be a better candidate for a tummy tuck. You may also be a good candidate to utilize the fat removed with the liposuction technique and use the “natural filler” from your own body as a permanent rejuvenating option. Fat can be re-injected into the buttocks to provide a more shapely, lifted buttock without a traditional buttock lift. Fat can also be re-injected into the facial areas to restore fullness and volume to the deep creases on the face, improve contour depressions, and provide facial rejuvenation including a permanent option for lip augmentation.
Note: It is important to address any concerns with The Gillian Institute at the time of your consultation. There is some risk, as with any surgical procedure. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. Our doctors can explain the procedure and potential complications to you in detail, and she can assist you in determining if liposuction is right for you.