Here’s What to Expect from a Liposuction Procedure

First thing’s first: you should know that liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is surgery to remove diet-resistant fatty deposits from hips, thighs, tummy and back. It is also done on the neck and chin area, upper arms and chest. The best outcomes are experienced by patients who have been successful on a medically supervised weight loss program, and have changed their lifestyle and adopted healthy eating habits and regular exercise that includes cardio and strength training.  The best liposuction surgeons combine years of experience, skill and artistry to sculpt the body into pleasing curves, leaving youthful fullness yet revealing the muscle tone and bone structure that makes your look and shape unique.

All patients undergoing liposuction should be medically cleared for the procedure. Different forms of anesthesia are used for different types of liposuction and your safety is vital. Generally, liposuction is done with tiny incisions and a skilled plastic surgeon will hide them in natural body folds. A thin tube, a cannula, is moved back and forth to loosen the targeted and fat and suction pulls the fat through the tube into a collection bin or syringe.

Once the procedure is done, you will be asked to refrain from strenuous physical activity to allow your body to heal. Most patients experience short-term bruising and swelling in treated areas. Your body’s natural healing powers go to work over the next weeks and months as your new shape is revealed. Your surgeon will monitor your recovery and gradually allow you to return to normal activities as your body and incisions heal. You may also be required to wear a compression garment. Do this as long as directed or longer. The constant and consistent pressure helps your skin form nicely to your new shape.

Laser-assisted liposuction is a common in-office procedure that targets small areas of fat as a final finesse to your shape or to remove small pockets of unwanted fat like the bra area of the back or sculpting the chest or waist. Local anesthesia is typically used in this procedure and the patient remains awake. The laser liquefies the targeted fat which is removed using a tiny cannula and surgical vacuum device.

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A New You: Four Types of Facial Plastic Surgeries

Although breast augmentation is undoubtedly the most popular plastic surgery in the U.S., facial surgeries remain a close second. In fact, 2013 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has revealed that three of the five most sought-after cosmetic surgeries in the country (blepharoplasty, rhytidectomy, and rhinoplasty) are facial surgeries. Here’s a closer look at four popular facial surgeries:

First up is blepharoplasty, which is surgery done on the eyelids and is usually favored by people who have eye bags or droopy eyes. Depending on the case, blepharoplasty may be done as an upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. While the procedure is mostly concerned with the patient’s eyes, it can’t remove wrinkles or sagging eyebrows. Crow’s feet at the outer corner of the eyes can most often be addressed with injectables like Botox or Dysport. A sagging brow may need a brow lift or respond well to injectables. Have a consultation and ask your surgeon about your options to achieve a natural and refreshed look. 

Second is rhinoplasty, which aims to alter the shape, size, and orientation of the nose. Although rhinoplasty is mainly used to improve appearance, it is also used for facial reconstruction and to correct structural issues that impair normal respiration.

Third is otoplasty, which concerns itself with the shape and orientation of the ears. This is purely cosmetic and does not address the patient’s hearing in any way. It is often called ear pinning because the effect is to help the ears sit more closely to the head. While not officially called otoplasty, plastic surgeons are also repairing gauged ear lobes, closing the hole and returning them to a more natural shape.

Finally, rhytidectomy or a facelift addresses the look of the face as a whole, tightening and firming the underlying structures that give the face shape, and then addressing loose skin so it sits youthfully in place. There are several variations to the rhytidectomy including a mini facelift, a mid facelift, even a silhouette cable lift. Each addresses a specific area of the face. Ask your plastic surgeon for an expert opinion on your options for a natural and youthful result - and how to maintain your ageless look!

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