Liposuction surgery at Dr. Wim Danau

Procedure

Traditional liposuction involves the insertion of cannulas, long metal tubes used to suction out fat cells, into small incisions made in the treatment areas. Dr. Danau gently moves the cannulas back and forth under the skin and vacuums out fat deposits, eliminating excess fat and recontouring the area. Traditional liposuction is also a fairly quick outpatient procedure, typically taking less than two hours to complete, depending on the size of the area being treated. Liposculpture may be performed using local anesthesia in many circumstances.

Recovery

The swelling can last four to six weeks, while complete healing takes about three months. However, our patients are generally able to return to normal daily routines after about a week. Dr. Danau advocates the use of lymphatic massage following liposculpture. Lymphatic massage stimulates lymph flow to more rapidly remove fluid, proteins, and toxins from around the cells back into the bloodstream. The end result is less bruising and less edema to help speed the liposculpture recovery process. It is normal to have some numbness in the areas that liposuction took place. This is temporary but may take a full year to become normal again.

This is one surgery we do where we encourage some activity soon after surgery. The incisions are tiny and therefore do not take long to heal. Bruising is common but temporary. Patients are required to wear a compression garment (a girdle like garment that is worn under normal clothing) for 6 weeks. This helps minimize swelling and contour deformities.

We are often asked whether patients will gain an inordinate amount of weight elsewhere after liposuction. The answer is generally no. However, some patients find that they do not gain as much weight where the liposuction was performed and therefore, if they gain weight overall it will show in other places first. We stress the importance of maintaining your weight following liposculpure to minimize this.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, traditional liposuction is not without a certain degree of risk. Some of the risks include:

• Reaction to anesthesia

• Fluid accumulation

• Fat or blood clots which can migrate to the heart or lungs, leading to death

• Skin injury

• Infection

• Excessive fluid loss

• Asymmetry (uneven contour or shape)

• Friction burns

• Damage to vital organs

Many of the above liposculpture risks are extremely unlikely to occur. Dr. Wim Danau is highly skilled and trained in performing liposuction, and will take every precaution to ensure your safety.

Benefits

Liposuction has helped millions of patients all over the world eliminate stubborn, excess fat. It has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for decades and has a stellar track record as an effective treatment. Benefits of liposculpture include:

• Fat removal in virtually any body area

• Improved health

• Minimal scarring which can be easily hidden

• Ability to wear desired clothing

Liposculpture, performed in combination with a face lift, breast lift and other cosmetic procedures, can be an ideal way of achieving complete cosmetic rejuvenation. Contact our cosmetic surgery office to schedule a consultation with our skilled surgeon and learn how he can help you attain your aesthetic goals.