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5 Things You Should Know About Liposuction

Liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that sculpts the body through the removal of fat deposits. Liposuction can be performed in any area where stubborn fat won’t go away with diet or exercise. With just a fraction-of-an-inch incision, an instrument called a cannula can suction out fat permanently and with ease. The medical staff at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute are knowledgeable on the latest, most advanced techniques of body contouring, including VASER, SmartLipo, and more. To see what our body sculpting experts can do for you, call our location in Denver, Colorado at (303) 708-8770 or request a consultation with our patient coordinators through our online form

Before and After Photos

About Liposuction

Liposuction removes excess subcutaneous fat, the fat that develops directly under the skin. It can be in almost any area of the body, including: 

  • Abdomen
  • Flanks 
  • Upper Arms
  • Back 
  • Bra Rolls
  • Hips 
  • Thighs
  • Knees
  • Calves 
  • Neck 
  • Chest 
  • Chin

In the past, liposuction procedures were based off of the simple principle of utilizing tumescent fluid and suction of fat through a device called a cannula. Advanced Body Sculpting has a variety of state-of-the-art equipment that make liposuction safer and more effective than ever before. To be more specific, we offer VASER and SmartLipo technology which we’ll elaborate on in the next section.

Newer Technology Promotes Faster Healing 

Advanced Body Sculpting Institute offers VASER and SmartLipo, the latest advancements in liposuction that can provide patients with more dramatic results and faster recovery times. During a VASER (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance) procedure, a device that emits ultrasound waves is used to emulsify the fat and loosen it from the surrounding tissues. The ultrasound energy is precise enough to leave important connective tissues in place. 

Research has found that patients who undergo VASER rather than standard tumescent liposuction experience less bruising and discomfort during recovery. (1) In addition, VASER is a popular procedure for sculpting abs because the technique allows surgeons to leave behind a thin layer of fat over each muscle to provide more definition. VASER can also give more definition to other parts of the body as well. 

The other method of advanced liposuction is SmartLipo, a form of laser lipolysis, which works to completely liquify fat deposits with a laser before removal. Since this technique uses a precise laser, it promotes better blood coagulation, or clotting, to prevent even more blood loss. Due to SmartLipo’s unique ability to perform this, it also reduces recovery time, just like VASER. (2)

Liposuction is Popular

In 2016 alone, over 230,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States. (3)  It’s no wonder that liposuction remained in the top five most popular cosmetic procedures as of 2020. (4) Prospective patients have many reasons to get excited about liposuction. It is one of the simplest surgical procedures for people with a BMI of 35 or under, providing long-lasting results that contour and highlight the body’s natural attractiveness. As an outpatient procedure, patients can expect to get back to their daily lives in only 7 to 10 days. 

Skin Elasticity is Key!

Liposuction can contour the body through fat removal, but the procedure is most successful in people with good skin elasticity. Without good skin elasticity, you risk creating loose skin that can only be corrected with a skin-tightening procedure like, for example, a tummy tuck. If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight, this may be the ideal procedure for you. 

It’s important for your doctor to thoroughly evaluate your skin and let you know what to realistically expect from liposuction. Doctors will typically do a “pinch test”- this involves pinching a small area of tissue with their fingers and checking to see if the skin recoils back quickly. If it does, then you likely have good enough skin elasticity to get effective results from liposuction. 

It’s Minimally Invasive

All liposuction procedures are considered minimally invasive, meaning that they only involve very small incisions. With incisions that are only a few millimeters in diameter, the risk of infection is incredibly low at only 0.1%. (5) Surgeons have found numerous ways of helping patients with their recovery as well as prescribing thorough aftercare instructions that allow patients to take care into their own hands. Research has not stopped improving upon methods to optimize patient comfort and recovery. In just the past 10 years, over 50 new devices and techniques have been developed to make liposuction easier to perform and safer for patients. (6) 

Results Can Be Lifelong 

Liposuction provides long-lasting results if well-maintained if you carefully follow aftercare instructions and implement a proper exercise routine and diet. Still, the remaining fat cells in your body can increase in size and contribute to weight gain. Before your procedure, you should consult with your doctor on what you can do to implement healthy habits in your daily life in order to keep the new look that you’ll love after liposuction. 

Other Procedures We Offer 

While today’s liposuction procedures are highly personalized to individuals’ needs, some patients may need a different approach to get the cosmetic results they want for themselves: 

EMSCULPT NEO

EMSCULPT NEO is for patients who want to burn fat and build a toned physique with the help of a non-invasive procedure. EMSCULPT NEO technology involves a device that distributes high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy (HIFEM) to stimulate muscular contractions. The effect of this device can equate to almost 20,000 abdominal crunches in only the timespan of a half-hour treatment. Alongside the HIFEM, it also emits radiofrequency energy (RF) that provides a skin-tightening effect. RF stimulates the production of connective proteins in the dermis of the skin, such as collagen and elastin. These proteins give the skin its structure, improve its elasticity, and make the skin look youthful and beautiful.  

Cellulaze 

Cellulaze is a minimally invasive procedure that treats the root cause of cellulite. Many patients who are bothered by the appearance of cellulite are not actually overweight, but they have formed fibrous bands on their fat cells that cause a dimpling effect on the surface of the skin. These horizontal bands pull down on the skin, allowing the fat to protrude outward in an irregular way. With just a small incision in the treatment area, the Cellulaze device breaks these fibers to create a smoother appearance on the skin.  

To find out more in-depth information about other procedures at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, take a look through the other articles on our blog.  

Personal Consultation

Through a personal consultation with a coordinator at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute in Denver, Colorado, you can find out if liposuction is right for you. During a consultation, they will carefully review your medical history, and your skin quality, and listen to the goals you have for your body. Our staff is knowledgeable in finding the body sculpting solution you’re looking for. Whether it is one of our liposuction procedures or another procedure we offer, we are here to help. To get started today, give us a call at (303) 708-8770 or request an appointment through our contact page

Cost of Liposuction in Denver, Colorado 

As every patient’s needs differ, we will determine an estimate for your liposuction procedure after your one-on-one consultation. The method of anesthesia, the technology used, and the extent of your fat removal will all contribute to the cost of your procedure. Advanced Body Sculpting Institute also offers financing plans for those who are interested. 

FAQ

When will I see the results of my liposuction procedure? 

You will begin to notice your final results around 6 weeks, but they will continually improve until about 6 months, which is when your swelling will have completely subsided.

When will I be able to go back to work after liposuction? 

Depending on the extent of your procedure, you should take 7 to 10 days of downtime from work. If you have a physically strenuous job, you may need up to 6 weeks. 

Do I need general anesthesia for liposuction?

Nowadays, many liposuction procedures do not require general anesthesia. In some instances, it may be more beneficial to the patient to undergo liposuction under local anesthesia.

Does liposuction recovery hurt?

Liposuction recovery can be uncomfortable, but a skilled surgeon will give you the tools you need to heal well. He or she can prescribe medications to help you handle any discomfort. Alternatively, they can recommend over-the-counter medications that you can manage yourself.

Is VASER more effective than SmartLipo?

VASER is not necessarily more effective than SmartLipo; it depends on your own body and the cosmetic concerns you would like to treat. For patients who want to purposefully recreate more definition in their midsection, legs, or arms, VASER is the best option. When a surgeon wants to achieve skin tightening, VASER is the best technology. 

Is liposuction a weight loss procedure?

Liposuction is not considered a weight loss procedure because it does not make any changes to the digestive system. It is a procedure that works to cosmetically sculpt and remove specific fat deposits.

References 

  1. Ruff PG, Garcia O, Nykiel M, Galanis CJ. Consensus-based Recommendations for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction. Plastic and reconstructive surgery Global open. 2023;11(7):e5110-e5110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005110 
  2. Lee J, Oh S, Ryu H, Seo Y. Development of a Minimally Invasive and Non-invasive Lipolysis Laser System for Effective Fat Reduction. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences. 2021;12(1):e55-e55. doi:https://doi.org/10.34172/jlms.2021.55 
  3. Alain Joe Azzi, Lafreniere AS, Viezel-Mathieu A, Hemmerling TM, Gilardino MS. Objective quantification of liposuction results. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2018;11(3):105-105. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_102_18 
  4. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. 2020. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2020.pdf 
  5. Cuevas Bustos R, Cervantes Gutierrez O, Perez Tristan FA, Acuña Macouzet A, Flores-Huidobro Martinez A, Jafif Cojab M. Necrotizing soft tissue infection after liposculpture; Case report. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. 2020;77:677-681. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2020.11.078 
  6. Beidas OE, Gusenoff JA. Update on Liposuction: What All Plastic Surgeons Should Know. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2021;147(4):658e668e. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000007419