Overview

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the world. Many people complain of certain areas of their body that have persistent fatty deposits regardless of the amount of exercise or dieting that they do. In men, these areas include but are not limited to the abdomen and flanks (love handles). In women, these areas commonly include the hips, flanks, thighs, and abdomen. Liposuction is designed to slim and reshape specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving body contour and proportion

Candidates:

Ideal candidates for liposuction include those who are physically fit, have a healthy, well-balanced diet, are within 30-40 pounds of their ideal body weight, and have localized areas of fat. The goal of liposuction is to enhance body contour resulting in striking improvements in overall body image. Patients who fall within the parameters discussed above can expect to achieve their goal of enhanced body contour, removal of excess fat deposits, and a proportional appearance. Weight loss and size improvement may result from the procedure but these are not the main focus and should not be used as the primary rationale for undergoing liposuction.

Where can liposuction be performed on the body?

Liposuction has been performed effectively on numerous regions of the body including:

• Upper and lower abdomen
• Flanks (love handles)
• Hips
• Outer thighs
• Inner thighs
• Back
• Arms
• Neck and face
• Knees

Will the fat come back?

The simple answer is no. Fat that is removed is gone forever. This does not mean that people who have liposuction can never be overweight. If proper diet and exercise are not adhered to post-liposuction, fat cells in areas not treated will expand and create weight gain in areas of the body that cause contour irregularities. This is why it is important to undergo liposuction in conjunction with healthy lifestyle choices.

Technique:

The SlimFx procedure is designed to maximize patient safety with the best cosmetic outcome, the most rapid recovery time, and maximal patient comfort. The technique is called tumescent liposuction and has a proven track record at achieving the objectives listed above. Tiny incisions are made in camoflouged regions of the body and a special fluid is placed into the targeted fat cells which creates numbness. Fat is then carefully removed from the regions of concern using instruments called cannulas.

If a patient requests liposuction from a large number of areas of the body the procedure may need to be staged. This means that the patient will need to come back for a second procedure in order to safely address the remaining areas. The reason for this is that there is only a certain amount of fat that can be safely removed in one procedure, and there is a specific amount of tumescent fluid that can safely be infused at one time. Dr. Miller will specifically address this issue with each patient so that they have the proper expectations.

Anesthesia:

The SlimFx procedure is specifically designed to be done under local anesthetic with oral relaxation medication and tumescent fluid that provides numbness to the tissue being liposuctioned. DermFx has a track record of safety, great results, rapid recovery, and patient comfort using this type of anesthesia. Should a patient specifically request general anesthesia we can accommodate them at an accredited surgery center with highly qualified anesthesiologists.

Recovery:

The SlimFx has gained a reputation for rapid recovery. Patients should expect some initial drainage from their incision sites along with swelling and mild bruising. A compression garment will be worn which will minimize the swelling, bruising, and discomfort and will assist in the retraction of any loose skin. Swelling and bruising usually resolve within a couple of weeks. Some results may be noted immediately, however, your final shape and contour will continue to improve as the swelling subsides. Dr. Miller encourages his patients to be up and walking immediately following the procedure and progressively increase activities. Returning to work can often be accomplished within 2-3 days, however, we cannot guarantee this and it is highly dependent on the number of regions that are liposuctioned. Vigorous exercise can be resumed within two to three weeks.

Meet Our Surgeon - Dr. Todd Miller

What draws Dr. Miller specifically to Facial Plastic Surgery is being able to provide patients with a unique skill set involving the head and neck. He has performed a vast number of facial cosmetic procedures. He has authored articles for national publications and made numerous presentations at national and regional meetings. He is a board certified member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. More...