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There are different types of Liposuction procedures. Fort Myers board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Garramone, will determine which procedure is best for you during your consultation. Liposuction can be performed to achieve a relatively small volume reduction, or in some cases a large volume reduction. In some cases, with smaller areas or with smaller volumes in delicate areas, the operation requires a bit more planning and finesse; “liposculpture” is sometimes used to describe this procedure. It remains, however, a variation of liposuction.

Our Fort Myers Liposuction services can be performed alone or in conjunction with other procedures. Liposuction is effective on all areas of the body, including the face, neck, abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, lower legs, and arms. The result is an aesthetically pleasing physique that helps patients achieve their goals. Liposuction is commonly performed on both men and women.

It may be the most common procedure performed on men. Men will tend to seek correction of the chest, abdomen, and especially the flank areas. Women will tend to seek correction of the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and arms. Less often, liposuction is performed on the leg below the knee to treat the calves and knees.

How is Liposuction Performed?

Liposuction is performed through small incisions placed inconspicuously in natural skin creases using a high-vacuum instrument called a cannula, which is a tube inserted through the incisions into the treatment area. Prior to this however the areas to be recontoured are infiltrated with a solution containing saline, local anesthetic and epinephrine. This is referred to as tumescent anesthesia and it accomplishes several things. It reduces bleeding and therefore bruising after the procedure. It results in less discomfort after the procedure and it makes the liposuction procedure itself more efficient.

A vacuum pump removes fat by suction as the cannula is moved under the skin. The cannulas are of various dimensions and diameters depending upon the area of the body to be treated. The amount of fat removed will vary depending on the patient and the area of the body to be treated. Typically fat is removed along with a portion of the tumescent solution and this combination is referred to as the “aspirate” once it is removed.

There are limits as to how much fat can be removed during an outpatient surgical procedure in order to maintain a margin of safety.

After the cosmetic surgery procedure, the access incisions are closed with small stitches. A compression garment is placed on the patient and it is recommended that this be worn for at least 2-3 weeks after the procedure, however in most cases it is worn for 6 weeks. Most activities are resumed within 14-21 days depending on the extent of the procedure and the number of areas treated. Liposuction is not a substitute for a healthy diet, nor is it useful for generalized weight reduction – it selectively removes fat only from specific areas. The goal of the operation is always contouring of the treated body areas.

When only one or two small areas are treated, local anesthesia may be used. When multiple or large areas are treated, IV sedation or general anesthesia is usually administered.

During liposuction, fat can be taken from one area of the body and repositioned in another area to improve contour in that second area. This is referred to as fat injection or grafting. Fat is typically transferred to areas of volume loss such as the lower face and to the lips. In some cases areas where folds or creases develop are filled with fat from another area.

Dr. Garramone also provides an alternate to plastic surgery which is CoolSculpting, which is an FDA approved, non-surgical alternative.

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