Liposuction is a surgical procedure that aims to improve the balance of the figure by removing fat deposits in out-of-proportion areas of your body. The traditional liposuction technique, called suction assisted liposuction (SAL), utilizes small cannula to vacuum away fat from unwanted areas after it has been injected with a saline and epinephrine solution. Variations of this technique include power assisted liposuction (PAL), ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL), and laser assisted liposuction (LAL).
The ideal type of procedure will vary based upon individual circumstances. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Am I a good candidate for liposuction?
In general, liposuction is performed on patients who are within 15-20 pounds of their ideal body weight. Patients with regular skin tone and isolated fat deposits are the best candidates. Some patients who were born with out-of-balance figures are also good candidates. Age is not a limiting factor.
Liposuction is not designed for weight loss, nor is it a substitute for a healthy lifestyle and exercise. Rather, it complements these elements by addressing stubborn areas that remain out of balance. During your consultation with Dr. Bortnick, be prepared to discuss your specific goals and consider the timing and recovery process. Dr. Bortnick has performed hundreds of liposuction procedures and will give you specific recommendations.
What can I expect during a consultation?
During the consultation, you will first meet with the nurse. You will discuss your medical history including medications, allergies, prior surgical procedures and smoking history. You are encouraged to share your specific goals and desires so that Dr. Bortnick can most accurately make recommendations.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask any questions that you feel are appropriate; this allows us to better serve your needs. You will be examined standing up in front of a full length dressing mirror; this allows you to see and discuss all areas of concern with Dr. Bortnick. During your initial consultation, you will be given informed consent documents for the planned procedure along with anticipated costs. Be sure to review all of your literature at home.
If you decide to schedule the surgery, you will have a separate preoperative visit. During this second visit, you will be given prescriptions, schedule follow-up appointments, review your surgical consent, and be medically photographed for your medical record.
How is liposuction surgery performed?
Liposuction surgery is performed in an accredited operating facility under the direction of a board-certified anesthesiologist. After the patient has fallen asleep, practitioners make topographical surgical markings before the procedure begins. Then, they address both the front and back areas by turning the patient during the procedure. In power assisted liposuction (PAL), the procedure is performed using a technique that preserves the harvested fat, which can be re-injected into other areas of the body for fat grafting.
After the procedure is finished, the surgical nurse helps the patient dress in a compression garment. Patients drain for 24 hours following the surgery. The morning after the procedure, the patient has their first follow-up visit in the office.
Read more about preoperative and postoperative care here.
