Liposuction

For many men and women, unwanted fat on the body is a big concern, particularly stubborn fat pockets that don’t respond to even our best effort to diet and exercise.

The good news is there are number of cosmetic surgery solutions to help shape, sculpt and firm up your figure the most popular of which is liposuction.

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is a technique in which high pressure vacuum suction is used to remove fat cells through a small incision. The surgeon/s offer the latest liposuction techniques. Some surgeons may offer procedures such as Smart Lipo,Laser Lipo,Vaser Lipo, non-surgical liposuction, and other office-based procedures to remove, dissolve or reduce fat.

You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you have excess fat or desire contouring in any of the following areas:

• Abdomen and Waist
• Inner and Outer Thighs
• Chin, Cheeks, Jowls and Neck
• Hips and Buttocks
• Inner Knees
• Upper Arms
• Underarm & Breast/Chest area

Since the invention of liposuction in 1974, there have been many refinements to the original procedure. These improvements and innovations have allowed surgeons to make liposuction a safer and more effective method of eliminating unwanted fat.

Your surgeon will take into consideration your unique characteristics in determining the most effective body contouring technique for you.

Call (787) 721-7200 or 729-4411 to schedule a consultation with a certified plastic surgeon in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The consultation fee at the center is only Fifty Dollars - $50.

Click here to request a consultation

Q&A

What are the latest techniques in liposuction?

The latest advances in liposuction provide patients with more effective results and a faster recovery time. These techniques include the tumescent technique, the super-wet technique, ultra-sound assisted lipoplasty (UAL) and power assisted liposuction.

The tumescent technique involves injecting areas of excess fat with a large amount of anesthetic liquid before proceeding with liposuction. The liquid causes the compartments of fat to become swollen and firm or "tumesced." Since the fat compartments have expanded, they are easier to distinguish allowing for smoother and more even results. The tumescent technique may last as long as 4 to 5 hours.

The super wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique as it also requires the injection of anesthetic liquid.  The difference lies in that significantly less volume is used, about a third as much. The surgery can be performed in about 1 to 2 hours.

During Ultrasonically Assisted Lipoplasty, the cannula emits high frequency sound waves to liquefy fat cells and facilitate low level aspiration. The use of ultrasonic energy allows for more precision in less fatty areas that have high amounts of muscles and tendons as it acts primarily on the fat cells and has no effect on the vascular, nervous, or connective tissues. Surgery time is longer that traditional liposuction but is shorter than the tumescent technique.

Power-assisted liposuction uses a cannula that vibrates rather than one that is manually manipulated. This vibrating cannula whirs at a high enough speed to create a particularly high frequency vibration. This disrupts the fat cells releasing it from the surrounding tissue and making it easier to suction out. Power-assisted liposuction is generally associated with fewer complications, more precise sculpting, smaller incisions, shorter surgical times and less trauma to the surrounding tissues. It is most useful for smaller areas that need minimal fat removed such as the chin, under the arms, the outer breasts, the belly, hips, flanks and thighs.

There are some new procedures and techniques on the market called Smart Lipo, Laser Lipo, Vaser, non-surgical liposuction, and others that are employed to reduce smaller areas of fat.

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Is liposuction best suited for me?

Liposuction is well suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have isolated pockets of fat that do not respond to traditional weight loss methods or may be an inherent trait. We find that best results are achieved on patients with good skin tone & elasticity, regardless of age. As with all procedures, the ideal patient is one who is in reasonably good physical & psychological condition and one who has realistic expectations.

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How is liposuction performed?

Although there are different techniques, all forms of liposuction involve a tube, called a cannula that is connected to a vacuum machine. It is inserted into fatty tissue through tiny incisions placed in inconspicuous locations on the skin. The cannula breaks apart unwanted fatty deposits and sucks out fatty tissue as the surgeon gently moves it around beneath the skin.  

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Will liposuction help me lose weight?

No. Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for weight loss or a treatment for obesity. Rather, the best results are obtained when it is undertaken in conjunction with a commitment to a healthy diet and a regular routine of exercise. 

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Will liposuction treat my cellulite?

Generally speaking, liposuction is not intended to treat cellulite, although some patients do notice an improvement in the appearance of cellulite after the fat cells are removed.

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Is fat removal permanent?

Yes. Fat removed by liposuction is permanent. If you maintain a reasonable body weight, it should not come back.  Should you gain weight after liposuction, it goes to the fat cells that remain in your body. The localized fatty deposits that existed prior to liposuction can no longer balloon up out of proportion to the surrounding areas.

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Can the procedure be performed in different areas at the same time or in conjunction with other surgeries?

This is dependent on a number of factors including the type of liposuction technique used. Generally, liposuction using most techniques can be performed on several areas of the body at the same time, and, in certain cases, can also be done in conjunction with other aesthetic procedures.

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How long will the procedure take?

The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

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Can I recuperate at home?

Yes. Liposuction, particularly small volume liposuction, is done on an outpatient basis. However, if a large volume of fat will be extracted, or if the liposuction is performed in conjunction with other procedures, a stay in a hospital or overnight facility may be required. 

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What should I expect after my surgery?

Even though the latest techniques reduce some post-operative discomforts, it is normal to still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. These can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon. Mobility is encouraged as soon as possible to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more. 

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When can I resume regular activities?

Most patients begin to feel better and resume less strenuous daily activities after about a week or two. Activities requiring heavy physical exertion should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal.

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Your surgeon will provide all pre and post-op instructions prior to your procedure.

Call (787) 721-7200 or 729-4411 to schedule a consultation with a certified plastic surgeon in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The consultation fee at the center is only Fifty Dollars - $50.

Click here to request a consultation