Liposuction [photos}
By Chasby Sacks, M.D., M.B. B.Ch., F.A.A.C.S., F.I.C.S.
Medical Director, Arizona Cosmetic Surgery
4202 North 32nd Street, Suite F
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
ABOUT DR. SACKS: Dr. A.
Chasby Sacks is the pioneer of liposuction in Arizona. He was the first Surgeon to perform
liposuction here and has been performing the procedure on men and women for over 25 years.
Dr. Sacks is board certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and is also a full
Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. In addition to having been an examiner
for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Sacks is a member of the American Academy
of Liposuction Surgery, the American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery and is a Fellow of
the International College of Surgeons. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery where he also has served as Treasurer. Dr. Sacks has
performed over 17,000 cosmetic procedures to-date and has an excellent reputation for
achieving a very natural appearance in his patients. To get your complimentary
consultation with Dr. Sacks CLICK HERE
Areas of the body that respond
well to liposuction surgery include the neck and jowls, cheeks, upper arms, inner and
outer thighs, buttocks, knees, hips and abdomen. Liposuction may also be used for small
breast reductions in cases where there's little sagging or to remove fat at the sides of
the breast. In a small percentage of cases, only the small liposuction scars would be
necessary. This procedure is becoming more popular because the tiny incisions greatly
reduce scarring. Men with enlarged breasts can also benefit from this technique.
Liposuction surgery is a surgical procedure in which fat cells are removed from the body.
A small metal tube or cannula is attached to a high-pressure vacuum suction inserted
through a small incision in the skin and extracts excess fat cells. Because the procedure
does not involve large incisions and extensive cutting, there is little pain, rapid
healing and minimal scarring. Most patients are completely ambulatory immediately after
surgery.
Dr. Sacks was one of the first 10 surgeons in the United States to use the safer water
cooled ultrasonic liposuction machine which he felt had certain advantages in achieving
the best possible results. Now Dr. Sacks prefers to use a laser to assist in
liposuction.Laser assisted Liposuction (LAL). This FDA approved device allows easier
removal of fat and decreases inflammation, lessens pain, and speeds healing. (Channel 10
News interviewed Dr. Sacks regarding this laser).
As the pioneer of Liposuction in Arizona I have seen many techniques come and go. A
patient of mine first saw a Merv Griffin TV show (so you know how long ago this was),
where they talked about this new technique where fat could be removed from the body. She
came to me and said "You need to start doing that so I can get it done!" and so
I called one of the first surgeons in the United States to have performed liposuction and
had his instrument maker make me a cannula. This was a hollow stainless steel instrument
with openings that were too large and had cutting edges moving forwards and backwards. The
instrument was too wide and too aggressive.
Since this time many advancements have been made. The next step was smaller, thinner
cannulas with blunt edges. This produced a much smoother skin surface and allowed for some
skin shrinkage or contracture. Instruments have also been produced with little rotating
blades in them which cut the fat off but they caused too much bleeding.
The next next huge advance was the use of large amounts of vey dilute local anesthetic
containing a substance called epinephrine which shrinks blood vessels and thereby less
bleeding. This was called Tumescent Liposuction.The Tumescent Liposuction technique helped
make Liposuction much safer as it assured much less bleeding and bruising and the
operation could be done with much less sedation or general anesthesia.
Helping the operator to move the cannula more easily through the fat was the addition of
an engine to drive the cannula back and forth making for less fatigue for the surgeon and
therefore greater ability to sculpt and shape the fat.
Next came Ultrasonic Liposuction. This emulsified the fat, making it more liquid and
therefore easier to remove. Unfortunately these instruments also produced heat which could
burn the skin so the instrument was wrapped in a metal sheath through which water was
passed to cool the cannula.This made the instruments a little thicker and the machines
expensive and because non-cooled instruments caused some burns to the skin, this technique
fell into disrepute.
Now comes the era of the laser. The first type was a diode laser which is said to open the
fat cells pores allowing for the fat to be liquified and either then removed by
traditional liposuction or as is now claimed, to be absorbed by the body’s clean up
system without the need for traditional liposuction. More investigation of this latest
technique is needed.
Now we get to "Smart lipo". While this system has been hyped as usual in the
media and by the laser manufactures, when honest objective surgeons reported their
experiences with this laser liposuction it becomes obvious that the skin tightening
results are variable and unpredictable and not much better than traditional liposuction.
The latest techniques and concepts seems to have significant potential. There is Radio
frequency Assisted Liposuction or RFAL and is performed by passing a carefully monitored
amount of radio frequency waves through the tumesced fat to be treated. This liquifies the
fat and also heats up the skin and its collagen. This causes shrinkage of the skin. The
liquid fat is then easily removed by traditional liposuction. Results so far indicate the
possibility of this being a valuable alternative to all the different ways of performing
liposuction.
Another new technique is to loosen the fat cells from their attachments with a jet of
water and then remove them by gentle suction. The manufacturers claim less bleeding from
this technique.
Conclusion: Newer techniques may add certain advantages but it is always
the experience, artistry and skill of the Surgeon that are the most important factors.
Liposuction (or lipoplasty) is
a body-sculpting procedure to remove fat that is unresponsive to dieting and exercising.
This procedure can be applied to nearly any area of the body and is commonly used on
multiple areas during an operation. Liposuction results in a slimmer and better
proportioned figure. Liposuction is used effectively to reduce love handles, saddlebags, a
double-chin, a bulge around the waistline, or other unsightly fatty deposits in order to
develop a better shape and create a more beautiful body.
Reasons for Considering Liposuction:
Eliminate fat from any of the following areas:
Chin and Neckline
Back/bra area
Upper Arms
Stomach and Waistline
Hips and Buttocks
Thighs and Knees
Calves and Ankles
Create a more proportioned figure
Use the fat to enlarge (augment) the buttock. Known as the Brazilian Butt Lift, this
procedure has sky-rocketed in popularity due to its safety and effectiveness. Fat is taken
from any area by liposuction, treated and then carefully re-injected into the buttock
area. Use the fat to fill in areas of the face which are sunken in from age or disease.
Use the fat for hand rejuvenation. In this procedure, the fat is carefully re-injected
into the back of the hand to soften and fill in the effects of aging and/or weight loss.
Use the fat to fill in areas where fat has been lost by injury or disease.
Liposuction should not be a replacement for proper exercise and diet. Instead, liposuction
is a reduction procedure for stubborn areas where fat accumulates. Used in combination
with several areas of the body, liposuction can provide a much more proportioned body
appearance. Ideal surgical candidates are those already in fair condition but having
stubborn areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. However, liposuction can be
performed on most patients who desire the changes.
General Procedure
Liposuction can be done under general anesthesia with the patient asleep or under local
anesthesia with sedation where the area is numbed and the patient remains somewhat awake
but comfortable. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or “cannula” is inserted
and used to vacuum out the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The surgeon determines the
amount of fat to be removed by feeling the fat under the skin and squeezing the tissue.
After eliminating the excess fat, the incisions are NOT closed with sutures but by
applying a compression dressing or bandage to the
area in order to prevent bleeding, reduce swelling, and support the affected area.
There are several different types of liposuction procedures, such as tumescent or laser
liposuction, that have developed as a result of recent advancements in new technologies.
Together the
patient and the surgeon can discuss which method(s) are best during the initial
consultation visit. Liposuction can last from thirty minutes to several hours depending
upon the amount of fat to be
removed and the areas involved. Liposuction surgery is an excellent procedure that can
benefit those who want to remove unattractive fatty deposits.
Recovery Process
New techniques such as laser liposuction allow for faster recovery from liposuction
procedures. The length of the recovery will depend on how extensive of an operation the
patient undergoes.
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest with gradual increase in
activity and movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery
time. A support garment may need to be worn for several weeks after the surgery, depending
upon which area(s) are selected to utilize the liposuction procedure. Following the
procedure, Laser treatments and massage may be used to hasten healing. Patients sometimes
report moderate pain associated with surgery which can be treated effectively with oral
medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk for potential
problems by carefully following the directions given after surgery.
Interested in
learning more about Liposuction? CLICK HERE to get your free consultation with Dr.
Sacks.
|
