Dr. Reed's experience in liposuction began in the early 1980s shortly
after the introduction to this technique in
America. Liposuction is one of the most frequently
performed operations in aesthetic surgery. The
liposuction procedure has undergone a number of
significant advances and refinements over the
years. Today small cannulas (the suctioning tubes)
are employed and used in conjunction with ultrasonic
assisted liposuction when indicated. Liposuction
works best for contouring areas of unwanted
localized fat such as beneath the chin, on the
waist, the hips, the abdomen, the love handles and
the knees. Larger areas such as the arms, the total
abdomen, the total thigh, and the claves are also
routinely done. It is wise not to remove too much
fat in one sitting. Following liposuction, changes
may be seen for approximately six months.
For
most patients there is a measurable and a visual
improvement by three weeks and further improvement
over the next 21 weeks. Normally, it takes
approximately six months for the final results to be
apparent. At that point, approximately two to three
percent of patients will need some sort of touch up
to smooth or correct an area of asymmetry if
necessary.
Liposuction and liposculpturing are successful in
both younger and older patients. In older patients,
however, skin irregularities may be expected. It is
also important to point out that cellulite is not
corrected by this method. Patient expectations
vary. Some of the most satisfied patients are older
and heavy patients, who will accept some wrinkling
of the skin and persistent cellulite as long as they
look better in clothing. Liposuction can also be
used in selected cases for breast reduction,
eliminating the standard breast reduction scars and
allowing for a faster return to normal activities.
Our
approach today, which has evolved from 25 years of
experience, includes the use of ultrasonic energy
combined with power assisted liposuction. Most
patients can and should return to full activity
within the next day or so to full activity with
minimal discomfort. Most of our patients who have
active careers and exercise regularly benefit from
this new technology.
