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Liposuction Plastic Surgery – Types, Cost, Recovery and Risks

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Liposuction Plastic Surgery

plastic surgeon 6Liposuction is a great body sculpting technique that can help you eliminate unwanted pockets of fat on your body. Ideal for those who are already close to their normal weight, liposuction helps create a more toned, even physique.

Types

While liposuction can be carried out for multiple parts of your body—abdomen, arms and other problem areas—it is carried out using two main techniques, Manual and Laser. Before embarking on the procedure, it is important to consult your plastic surgeon to decide which of these best suits your needs.

Manual Liposuction is carried out without lasers, and is further divided into different types.

Traditional liposuction is a procedure where the surgeon inserts a tube called the cannula to the problem area through a small incision. By manipulating the tube and injecting fluids periodically, the surgeon is able to break up the fats and drain them. It is one of the most popular procedures amongst patients.

Similar to traditional liposuction, tumescent liposuction involves the injection of a solution of saline solution, lidocaine and epinephrine into the targeted area of fat. The solution makes the fat cells shrink to enable easy removal, and also contains a local anesthetic that diminishes the pain associated with the procedure.

Just like a tumescent liposuction, Super-wet liposuction uses less fluid, and requires the administration of general anesthesia.

Laser liposuction techniques involve the use of surgical lasers that work to break down fat cells so that they are easy to remove. They are generally associated with faster recovery times than manual procedures.

CoolLipoTM: Designed for sensitive areas like the jowls, neck, arms and chin area, this procedure is minimally invasive and also helps make skin taut with little to no bruising.

SlimLipo™: By melting fat cells before removal, this procedure reduces the recovery time of each liposuction procedure.

Smartlipo™: A laser fiber is introduced in the body via a cannula. The procedure helps surgeons met fat cells to help contour the body. Smartlipo™ is generally suggested for fine tuning work.

Cost of the cosmetic surgery

As liposuction is an elective surgical procedure, it is not covered under most health plans. While a traditional procedure is likely to cost anywhere between $2500 and $3000, it varies depending on the type of technique used, amount of fat removed and the skills of the surgeon. Most clinics will offer payment plans for the surgery to provide some financing, and third party financing is also available from certain firms.

Recovery from liposuction

Dependent on the type of procedure and the area targeted, recovery can take anywhere between a few days to a few months. With careful care, recovery can be managed with a minimum of pain and discomfort.

Are there risks associated with the procedure?

As with any surgical procedure, Liposuction is associated with some risks, but they are rare. Risks many involve infection, longer healing times, adverse reaction to medicine or anesthesia, blood or fat clots, excess fluid loss, scarring, fluid accumulation, friction burns, numb skin, nerve damage, change in skin pigmentation and vital organ damage.

If you’ve been waiting to get rid of pockets of fat on your body, or achieve a more sculpted, toned look, come on over to Dr. Eugene Kim’s clinic in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA. A double board certified plastic surgeon, he is well equipped to deal with all of your cosmetic surgery needs.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Liposuction is among the top five most popular plastic and cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States every year. Complications with liposuction are extremely rare, and are less likely to occur when you choose an experienced cosmetic surgeon and carefully follow all pre- and postoperative instructions.

See liposuction before and after photos

Prior to your procedure, plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will give you full instructions regarding how to prepare for liposuction, as well as possible warning signs to be aware of during your recovery. He will also be happy to answer all of your questions about liposuction during this time. It is important to remember that even if you follow all of Dr. Kim’s advice, liposuction is still a surgical procedure and, while rare, complications are possible.

Liposuction comes with common surgical risks including infection and excessive bleeding. In some cases, people have adverse reactions to anesthesia. Some risks that are specific to liposuction include:

  • Blood clots
  • Fat embolism
  • Uneven results
  • Improper wound healing

Working with an experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Kim can reduce your risk of these complications, but there is never a guarantee with any surgical procedure. The risks and benefits of this procedure should be weighed carefully before you commit to surgery. Dr. Kim will be happy to discuss these things with you during your initial consultation.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Liposuction Fat Removal | Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon | Los Angeles CALiposuction is a body contouring technique in which excess fat is removed from a localized area of your body. Making small incisions, plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim will insert a small cannula into your skin to gently remove stubborn deposits of fat. This procedure is an effective way to remove fat from many areas of your body, including:

  • Thighs
  • Hips
  • Abdomen
  • Flanks
  • Buttocks
  • Breasts (male and female)
  • Arms
  • Neck
  • Face
  • Knees

Defining liposuction is fairly straight forward. It is equally important to understand what liposuction is not. Liposuction is not an effective weight loss tool. To be a candidate for liposuction, you should be within 10 to 20 pounds of your goal weight. Liposuction cannot safely remove massive amounts of fat. It can, however, be used after substantial weight loss to sculpt and firm your body.

Some deposits of fat will not respond to diet and exercise. It is these deposits that liposuction targets. During your initial consultation with Dr. Kim, it can be determined if liposuction is the best solution for your body.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

liposuction candidates beverly hillsIf you’ve worked hard to keep your body in shape, only to be discouraged by stubborn fat deposits that refuse to disappear, liposuction might be your answer. This popular body contouring procedure is designed to remove localized fat deposits that resist diet and exercise efforts.

In order to be a good candidate for liposuction, you should already be at (or near) your target weight. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure; it is meant to sculpt and tone your body, not to cause a dramatic change in your overall weight. Removing too much fat actually increases your risk of complications from liposuction, which is why removing a smaller amount is always recommended.

Good liposuction candidates should also:

  • Be at a stable weight
  • Not plan to lose or gain a significant amount of weight (i.e. pregnancy)
  • Have good skin elasticity
  • Be in strong overall health

If you suffer from diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, or other serious medical conditions, you may be more vulnerable to potential liposuction complications. Being in good metabolic health is an essential requirement for liposuction. The healthier you are, the more successful your procedure will be.

Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.

Do I need to lose weight before liposuction?

Liposuction Surgery Beverly Hills CA | Los Angeles | Santa MonicaDr. Eugene Kim is a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA, providing latest cosmetic and reconstructive surgical treatments for body, face, and breasts. Patients in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles can receive treatment at his state of the art facility. Dr. Kim has performed a variety of procedures, including liposuction, for a large number of patients from different backgrounds and ethnicities. As a cosmetic surgeon, he performs procedures such as breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelift, tummy tuck, liposuction, dermal fillers, Botox, and reconstructive plastic surgery.

An Overview of Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure designed to contour and re-shape particular areas of the body by removing excess deposits of fat. The goal is to improve the body’s proportion and make it appear slimmer and well defined. The procedure is usually effective in reducing fat pockets in the following areas of the body:

  • Abdomen
  • Hips and buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Inner knee
  • Arms
  • Neck and back
  • Chest
  • Calves
  • Ankles
  • Cheeks
  • Chin

Liposuction may be performed as a single procedure, or in conjunction with other surgeries such as tummy tuck, breast reduction, breast implants, or facelift. Advanced techniques are now available to make the procedure less invasive compared to several other plastic surgeries.

Is it a Weight Loss Procedure?

Many patients make the mistake of assuming liposuction as a weight loss procedure. However, the truth is that liposuction is not designed to reduce overall body weight, but to reduce fat pockets and bulges in specific areas to provide a slimmer and shapely appearance. Such localized fat deposits and disproportionate contours may occur in people even if they are maintaining a good level of fitness and health. This usually has more to do with extraneous factors such as heredity rather than the person’s lack of fitness or fat-rich diet.

Patients who undergo liposuction are advised by their surgeon to maintain a regimen of physical exercise and follow healthy eating habits. In absence of these practices, the results of liposuction may begin to disappear and the fat deposits may start returning. Liposuction is not a proper treatment for people who suffer from dimpled skin or cellulite that typically appears on hips, buttocks and thighs. Therefore, excessively overweight or obese patients as well as those having cellulite should consider alternative procedures in consultation with the plastic surgeon.

Who should Undergo Liposuction?

A person who is unhappy with excess fat deposits in specific areas of the body that do not respond to exercise or diet may be a fit candidate for liposuction. Body weight is an important consideration for this procedure. Adults whose body weight ranges within 30 percent of their ideal weight may be accepted for this surgery. The outcome will be much better for candidates who have solid muscle tone and firm and elastic skin.

The surgeon will also consider the general health of the candidate to ensure that he or she does not suffer from a current medical condition that could delay or impair healing. The surgeon will instruct an occasional smoker to refrain from smoking several weeks before and after liposuction. To achieve satisfactory results, it is also important for the candidate to have realistic expectations and clear goals from the surgery.

Losing Weight: Before or After Liposuction?

Losing weight prior to liposuction surgery may be advisable for candidates who are excessively overweight or obese, and willing to follow a committed fitness regimen and balanced diet under the supervision of a trained expert. Such practices may help a person achieve significant weight loss over a period of time. Some other candidates may also opt for a surgical weight loss procedure to reduce body weight.

Once the body weight in either case has stabilized closer to ideal levels, liposuction surgery may be considered. This may be necessary because certain stubborn fat deposits may not go away, or may make the body look disproportionate or unshapely. This condition can be corrected effectively with liposuction. A cosmetic surgeon will also recommend the patient to maintain ideal weight conditions after liposuction. If at any point of time in the future, the patient gains weight, it is advisable to make efforts to reduce it with natural methods and prolong the benefits of liposuction.

Liposuction with Dr. Eugene Kim

Dr. Kim provides liposuction treatment for patients in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities. He will perform a medical evaluation or ask for certain lab tests before determining the suitability of a patient for liposuction. He will spend time to understand the needs and aspirations of the patient before recommending the most appropriate treatment plan for a desirable outcome.