Liposuction in Birmingham
It is quite common to have areas of your body that you feel uncomfortable with. Diet and exercise can be frustrating if there are certain areas of fat that just won’t disappear. If you find yourself constantly focusing on your problem areas and pinching fat wishing that it would just go away, Liposuction is a great option for you.
Liposuction is the surgical removal of excess fat that offers a better contour and shape to your body. As people gain and lose weight, certain areas of the body tend to develop unwanted deposits of fat that can be difficult to get rid of diet and exercise alone. Today, there are a number of new techniques which can help with the removal of these fatty cells such as:
- Power-Assisted Lipoplasty (PAL)
- VASER
- The Tumescent Technique
- The Super-Wet Technique
- Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)
These new techniques are helping many Plastic Surgeons provide more options that will yield more precise results and quicker recovery times.
HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR LIPOSUCTION SURGERY?
If you smoke, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of your surgery. Smoking damaged your skin cells and ultimately slows down the healing process after your procedure is complete. Dr. Petro will provide detailed information about what medications you can and cannot take as well as what eat and drink on the day of your surgery. It is important to arrange for someone to take you home after your procedure is complete. It may also be necessary to have a friend or a family member stay with you for the first night after your procedure.
WHAT WILL THE DAY OF LIPOSUCTION SURGERY BE LIKE?
Liposuction can be performed in an office-based facility, a surgery center or an outpatient hospital facility. Various types of anesthesia can be used for your Liposuction procedure. Together, you and Dr. Petro will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for you during your procedure.
Once you arrive at the surgical center, you will be prepped for the procedure and given anesthetic. The type of anesthesia you get depends on the type of Liposuction you are getting and the volume of fat that is being removed. It could be either local or general anesthesia.
Very small incisions will be made at the surgical site which is then flushed with a sterile solution to minimize bleeding. The solution may also contain painkillers, which will help with any post-operative discomfort. Liposuction is performed using a stainless steel medical device known as a cannula, which resembles a thin tube. The cannula is used to loosen the fat, which is then suctioned out. The suction can come from a syringe attached to the cannula, or with a vacuum device.
In some cases, the cannula will be attached to a small motor that makes it vacillate. The vacillation helps the surgeon break up the fat. This is known as Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL). Another option is the use of ultrasonic waves or laser to break down the fat, which is then removed by the cannula.
If you are having more than five liters of fat removed, you may also need to have excess skin removed. Dr. Petro will discuss this with you if this is the case in your situation.
RESULTS OF YOUR LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction will reduce the areas of fatty deposits which often makes the patient more self-confident. It is important to keep in mind, however, that factors such as fluid retention and prolonged swelling may cause a delay in the complete contour of your body. The healing process is gradual, so you should expect to wait a while before fully enjoying the results of your procedure.
The results of Liposuction are permanent if you continue to remain at your postoperative weight. Even if you gain a few extra pounds, you may find that the weight is distributed more evenly instead of accumulating in the areas that were once problematic. The best results after Liposuction are obtained in patients who are motivated to exercise regularly and follow proper nutritional advice.
Liposuction recovery can be enhanced and results can be maintained with the use of certain clinical skin care products.