Liposuction is a popular surgical procedure that usually uses suction to remove unwanted fat from specific body parts, including the belly, buttocks, hips, thighs, neck, sides, and arms.
People often choose this procedure near their ideal weight but have stubborn fat pockets that don’t respond to diet and exercise.
Liposuction isn’t intended for weight loss, and if you’re overweight, you should focus on diet and exercise first. But for many people, liposuction can be a great choice to finetune their appearance and improve self-confidence.
Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who can enhance your body contours with liposuction and related procedures in the New Jersey and Tri-state areas.
What is Liposuction
When you gain weight, existing fat cells in certain body areas swell in size and volume. Liposuction uses suction to remove fat cells from some of these problem areas. How much fat is removed depends on the amount of fat and how that part of the body looks.
The most popular procedure is tumescent liposuction that involves injecting epinephrine and lidocaine into the treatment area to reduce swelling and bleeding. Next, Dr. Smita inserts a cannula and removes the fat and fluid.
After the procedure, your skin should mold to the new contours as long as you have good skin elasticity and tone.
Keep in mind that this procedure won’t help with cellulite or skin irregularities, and it also doesn’t eliminate stretch marks.
Other Types Of Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is the most common option, but there are other types to consider:
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction
This type of liposuction uses a cannula that emits ultrasonic waves under the skin to break down the fat for faster and more effective removal. This procedure also can enhance skin contouring and reduce skin injuries in some patients.
Laser-Assisted Liposuction
This procedure uses a powerful laser to break down and liquefy the fat for optimal removal. Your surgeon will insert a small laser fiber through a small incision to melt away the fat, which is sucked out with a cannula.
This is a precise liposuction procedure that can be useful to sculpt the abdominal muscles, for example.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
This procedure uses a small cannula that is moved quickly in a back-and-forth motion. The vibration lets the surgeon remove tougher fat more efficiently, such as in the male breasts. As a result, it can cause less swelling and pain, and the surgeon can get more fat out with precision.
Your surgeon may choose this option if you need to remove a lot of fat.
Whichever liposuction procedure Dr. Smita uses, she and her team will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels during surgery.
Most patients have general anesthesia and wake in the recovery room. You will probably spend a few hours at the surgical center or hospital before going home.
Benefits Of Liposuction
If you are considering liposuction to meet your aesthetic goals, consider these benefits:
Removes Fat Permanently
One of the best parts about liposuction is that the removed fat is gone forever and won’t grow back. However, you still can develop fat in other parts of the body, so it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Can Boost Self-Esteem
Many Americans worry about their bodies and extra fat. By getting rid of these fat cells so you look more contoured, liposuction can improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
Can Improve Your Health
Maintaining a healthy weight is an essential part of our lifestyle. Liposuction eliminates unwanted fat by removing up to four or five pounds in one session.
Removes Stubborn Fat
One of the most frustrating things that many people deal with is fat that they cannot eliminate with a good diet and regular exercise. Sometimes, our bodies hang on to fat in certain areas despite our best efforts due to genetics and other factors.
In this situation, liposuction can be the answer.
Enhances Your Appearance
If you have undesirable fat on your body, you may be concerned about your appearance. Liposuction isn’t a substitute for weight loss, but it can help to improve your body’s contours for a more attractive appearance.
Ideal Candidates
The best candidates for liposuction have the following characteristics:
- They’re within 30% of their goal weight and have elastic and firm skin and good muscle tone.
- They are in good health and don’t have a severe illness that can affect healing.
- They don’t smoke.
- They have a realistic outlook about liposuction and their bodies.
Surgery Preparation
Before you have liposuction, you should talk to Dr. Smita about what your expectations are. She’ll review your medical history and ask about any medical issues you have. It’s also important to tell her any medications or supplements you take.
You should stop taking blood thinners and NSAIDs before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding, and you may need specific blood tests before being scheduled for surgery.
It’s also essential to stop smoking several weeks before and at least a month after surgery to speed the healing process.
Procedure Details
The liposuction procedure involves general anesthesia in most cases. Once you are safely under, Dr. Smita will make small incisions in the target area, then inject a solution of lidocaine and epinephrine to reduce pain and swelling.
Then, she will insert a small cannula and remove the fat and fluid, then close the incisions.
Risks And Complications
Liposuction is exceptionally safe, but any surgery has risks and potential complications. Some of the most common are:
- Irregularities with results: You could have bumpy, wavy, or irregular contours if the fat was removed unevenly, or you have poor skin elasticity. If any of these happen, you may need corrective surgery. In addition, it’s essential to wear your compression garment for several weeks to ensure your skin adheres to your new contours.
- Accumulation of fluid: Seromas may develop under the skin after surgery, and they may need to be drained.
- Numbness: You may have temporary numbness in the treated area, but this usually resolves in a few weeks.
- Infection: In rare cases, you could have an infection in one or more of your incisions.
- Internal puncture: The cannula may be inserted too far into the body and puncture an internal organ. This is a medical emergency that must be treated right away.
- Fat embolism: A piece of loosened fat could break off and enter a blood vessel. In that case, it could travel to the brain or lungs. This is also a medical emergency.
- Lidocaine toxicity: Lidocaine is an anesthetic used in tumescent liposuction to reduce pain. It’s safe for most people, but toxicity in rare cases can cause heart and nervous system problems.
The chance of complications rises when liposuction is done in several areas. Talk to Dr. Smita if you have any concerns about your liposuction procedure.
Recovery
RecoveryLiposuction is usually done on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day. But if you are having more than a few pounds of fat removed, you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.
No matter when you leave, you will need someone to take you home when the surgeon clears you. You will probably be sore and tired after surgery, and it’s unsafe to drive after general anesthesia.
During the first three days, the surgeon will provide you with a compression garment to wear. It’s important to wear it so your skin adheres to your new shape.
You can expect a moderate level of pain and swelling in the first week. Dr. Smita will prescribe pain medication if needed for the first week.
You should limit your activities for at least a week, but it’s good for recovery to go for a walk every day.
It could take up to three months for all swelling to fade, and up to a year before you see the final results.
To have a faster recovery:
- Eat a healthy diet: Even if you are in the best health, surgery is tough on the body. Healing properly requires good, healthy food every day. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to speed recovery and reduce inflammation.
- Rest: Remember to rest for the first week after surgery gets a full night’s sleep. Doing both will give your body time to heal.
- Go for a walk: While you should avoid strenuous exercise at first, going for a walk every day can improve the healing process.
- Get help if you need it: You should talk to friends or family if you are having trouble cleaning, caring for children or doing errands. It may be difficult to lift children for a week or two, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Liposuction Cost New Jersey
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) estimates that the average cost of liposuction in one area is approximately $3,637. This amount, however, only includes a baseline price for the surgery itself. This number does not include the cost of the operating facility, anesthesia, a potential hospital stay, postoperative garments and supplies, medications, lab tests, etc.
All of these expenses must be taken into consideration before you will have a comprehensive idea of your New Jersey liposuction cost. Because of the complicated nature of calculating this sum, we recommend that you always make a consultation appointment with your surgeon to determine a more specific quote for your procedure.
It is at your consultation appointment that you can describe exactly what you hope to achieve through surgery. With these facts, Dr. Smita will be able to give you a clearer idea of the cost. If you are looking to contour your entire body through liposuction, for example, the resulting cost will automatically be higher than it would to only get liposuction on one or two areas of your body.
Factors Influencing New Jersey Liposuction Cost
In addition to the extent of your surgery, other factors will influence the overall liposuction cost New Jersey residents pay as well. These factors include:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesia fee
- Operating room (or hospital) fee
- Equipment and staff fees
- Preop procedure charges (for labs, CT scans, etc.)
- Postoperative fees (the cost of compression garments, wound care, prescriptions, in-home assistance, etc.)
Complementary Procedures
You can have other procedures when you have liposuction, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and tummy tuck. Or have it done with other procedures for a mommy makeover.
Other popular procedures include labiaplasty and a Brazilian butt lift. Dr. Smita will conduct a medical evaluation and discuss your goals before recommending the best options.
Liposuction FAQ
If you are considering liposuction, you probably have many questions. Below are the most common ones:
Can I Lose Weight With Liposuction?
Liposuction isn’t a weight loss method; it’s intended to remove stubborn pockets of fat from the abdomen, sides, arms, legs, and face. But liposuction doesn’t usually remove more than four or five pounds of fat and fluid in a single procedure.
If you need to lose a significant amount of weight, your plastic surgeon will recommend you try diet and exercise before having liposuction.
How Painful Is It To Have Liposuction?
You will have general anesthesia before liposuction is performed, so the surgery is painless. However, after the procedure, you may have mild pain and soreness for a week or two. But this can be controlled with over-the-counter medication for most people.
If you have more significant pain that lasts more than a week or so, you should talk to your plastic surgeon.
Is It Worth It To Have Liposuction?
Most people who have liposuction are happy with the results; liposuction has a 91% ‘worth it’ rating on Realself.com.
You can ensure the best results with liposuction by having realistic expectations and being close to your goal weight before having the procedure.
Will I Have A Flat Stomach After Liposuction?
Liposuction can reduce fat pockets on your abdomen and give you a slimmer profile, but you also should focus on diet and exercise over the long term to see the best results.
Also, remember that liposuction can only remove a few pounds of fat per session. So if you need to lose more fat than that, you should follow a diet and exercise program.
How Long Will My Liposuction Results Last?
When Dr. Smita removes fat during liposuction, it is gone forever. However, remember that if you don’t follow a healthy lifestyle, you can gain weight in other body parts.
Further, there is still fat remaining in the treated area after liposuction, and that fat can swell if you don’t eat right and exercise.
Why Do I Look Fatter After My Liposuction Procedure?
After liposuction, you will experience swelling and fluid retention for a few weeks, so you may feel like you gained weight. But these issues will resolve on their own after three or four weeks, and you will begin to see the results.
Remember that it can take as long as a year before you see final liposuction results.
Am I Too Old To Have Liposuction?
There is no limit on when you can have liposuction. But it may not work as well when you’re older, and your skin isn’t elastic enough to ‘bounce back’ when fat is removed.
Some older patients who have fat removed from the midsection may experience sagging skin, so a tummy tuck may also be necessary.
Will I Have Scars After Liposuction?
When Dr. Smita cuts through the skin to insert a cannula during liposuction, there will be scars. However, liposuction incisions are small and will fade after several months. After a year, your scars will barely be noticeable.
How Much Fat Can Be Removed?
Most surgeons say that the most fat that can be removed in a single session is six to eight pounds. If more fat is removed, this can significantly increase the chances of complications.
Can I Still Gain Weight After Liposuction?
Yes. While you probably won’t see weight gain in the treated area, you can still gain weight in other parts of the body. So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with nutritious foods and exercise is essential.
Contact Us
Fat removal with liposuction New Jersey gives men and women the chance to have annoying fat diminished almost instantly. Without the help of liposuction, it can be difficult to gain the slimming outcomes you desire.
We can recommend various options for liposuction treatment, depending on your individual struggles. We welcome you to contact our office in New Jersey and set up your personal consultation with Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham.
References
About Liposuction. (n.d.). Accessed at
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586
