Posts Tagged ‘tumescent liposuction’

Liposuction in Seattle for thighs

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Dear Dr. Reichel

Hello, With liposuction, on the thighs, (I have issues from knees up, front and back) I’d like to know a realistic time frame to be to where you could wear a swim suit and swim (exposure to sun) without anything being noticeable. Is it 3-4 months? Also would I need to stay in Seattle for a day or two before driving back over? I do not live in the Seattle area, so I am looking at several hours in the car. I realize you can’t give me much till we do an exam and consult but wanted to get a realistic framework. Lost 35 pounds this year (yay me) and it’s time for the next step:) Thanks in advance.

First off- thank you for the email, and also congratulations on losing 35lbs!

On the liposuction: Yes, ideally you will need the 3 to 4 months to look good for swimwear. You don’t have to worry so much about sun exposure after liposuction. It is more the timeframe to have the bruising and swelling improve. At 3-4 months you should definitely be presentable .

I would like you to stay in Seattle for the night after the procedure – but you could head back to your home the following day. As far as location – we would need to look at your legs. It isn’t appropriate to do liposuction on the front of the leg (above the knee) – it always looks bad and can cause the skin above the knee to sag over the knee. There are tightening devices (like the Thermage) that can be used in this area. Liposuction is great for the “Knee” – which is the lower middle part just above your knee. It is great for inner and outer thighs as well. I offer free liposuction consultations and very much look forward to meeting you in person. Please call my office at your earliest convenience to schedule your liposuction consultation, 206.859.5777, my front desk will get you scheduled as quickly as possible.

Kind regards,

Dr. Jennifer Reichel

As seen on Dr. Oz, Fat Harvest and Fat Transfer

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Dear Dr. Reichel

I had seen a procedure on the Dr. Oz show where liposuction was performed and (immediately) the fat was used to add volumne under the eyes. It sounds like you do the same thing. I’m wondering if this involves general ansthesia or can be performed as an “out patient”? Also can you advise me of an approximate cost? Thank you, S.K.

Dear S.K.

To answer your question – you are asking about what is called a fat transfer. I do perform fat transfers. You can do it as part of a true liposuction procedure (where you intend to do a total liposuction, but spend the initial portion of the procedure removing fat cells in a sterile manner and then processing them for transfer to other areas of the body), or you can do a Fat harvest and transfer as a “stand alone” procedure where you do a mini liposuction procedure with the intent of removing enough fat cells for transfer only.

You do not need to be under general anesthesia for liposuction, and certainly not for a “stand alone” fat harvest and transfer. For liposuction, I use twilight anesthesia where the patient is awake, breathing on their own, but very groggy, and may not remember parts of the procedure. However, you are able to talk to me and we listen to music and generally keep our patients entertained. For a simple harvest and transfer, you would need less sedation, but I still like to give my patients at least some valium to keep them comfortable. This means, of course, that you can’t drive yourself home.

For the fat harvest, we do the first transfer at the time of the harvest (isn’t it fun to call it a “harvest”?). We take about 10 times the amount needed for a transfer and we have a fat storage system that allows us to deep freeze the fat and store it for each patient for up to two years.

I believe that fat transfers for under eye grooves/tear troughs gives the most natural looking results of all of the options out there. I love the procedure.

As far as cost, the harvest and initial transfer is around $3000 to $4000. Additional transfers thereafter as needed can be between $375 and $475.

I would love to see you in consultation. Please call my office at 206-859-5777 to make an appointment.

Thank you, Dr. Jennifer Reichel at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle, WA

How Is Tumescent Liposuction Different?

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Q: I will be having the liposuction procedure sometime in the next 5-6 months. Please tell me what “tumescent” liposuction is? Has liposuction evolved into a procedure where it can be done without complete anesthesia? If not, why can’t the doctor use the same drugs that they use when you are having a colonoscopy? I am concerned about the fact that I am not allowed to have any water after midnight. I take medications that cause severe thirst. At night I have to keep a water bottle next to the bed. I heard that when you have liposuction you can’t have water the night before.

A: Yes liposuction has evolved into a procedure that can be done without complete (general) anesthesia. In the mid 1980s, a dermatologist named Jeffrey Kline developed the procedure that we refer to as “tumescent” liposuction. It means using a large volume of very dilute anesthesia to numb the areas that are going to be treated. It is very safe and allows the patients to be awake during the procedure. In reality – even if the physician is going to put you under general anesthesia, they should still use tumescent liposuction as it drastically improves the outcome and the safety of the procedure.

I do not put my patients to sleep for liposuction. I use moderate sedation – so that you are breathing on your own and are able to communicate with me during your procedure. Because of this, you can eat and drink normally before the procedure. We recommend that you DO drink water the evening before and the morning of your procedure. In addition, we recommend a light breakfast. We want our patients to be hydrated. Since we are not intubating you, there is no worry about food or liquid aspiration.

However, if you have liposuction done under “complete” anesthesia, you would need to be intubated and would have to refrain from drinking any water starting the night before.

As far as the medications that are used for a colonoscopy – we use similar ones, but not the exact same ones. The reason is that they usually use versed – which doesn’t last long enough to keep you sedated for the whole procedure. I use a combination of demerol and valium for most patients. It works great and patients tolerate the procedure very well.

My liposuction consultations are free, I would be happy to see you and answer any additional questions you have. Please call 206-859-5777.

Thanks again.

Dr Jennifer Reichel

What’s News at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

Friday, March 11th, 2011

Liposuction and Bizymoms.com

Check out the interview that Dr. Reichel did for bizymoms.com on liposuction treatment. Go to http://www.bizymoms.com/seattle/dermatologist/seattle-liposuction.php

As a busy mom myself, I was honored to do an interview for this fabulous site. It can be hard to get your shape back after having babies. As I am busy working and running around after my twin one year old daughters and my three year old son, it reminds me of how important it is to take time for you (and how hard it can be to find that time).

Just last week I did liposuction on a young woman who just couldn’t get her tummy back into shape after giving birth to a 9 lb baby boy last year. We did the procedure on a Friday morning and she’ll be up and ready to go by Monday (She still needs to be careful lifting andwill be sore for a couple of weeks). When she came back in on Monday she was so happy with how flat her stomach was – and she was only 3 days out from her liposuction procedure. I really love being able to give women the wonderful flat tummy or hips they had before pregnancy – or, for that matter, that they never really had. Liposuction is such a great way to remove unwanted areas of fat – Permanently.

Eye Bag Laser Treatment

Dr. Reichel is excited about a segment on the Dr. Oz show called The Fix: Plastic Surgery (aired February 9, 2011). They talked about revolutionary plastic surgery procedures including under-eye bag treatment. Dr. Reichel performs the exact same surgery for under-eye bags. She performs lower eyelid blepharoplasty and Festoon Laser treatment for these dark, unwanted under-eye bags and circles.

At the end of February, 2011, Dr. Reichel treated a patient, Lori, whom she had seen in consultation earlier in the month. Lori had unwanted under-eye circles, swollen bags, and crepe-like changes to the skin around her eyes. She also had festoons. A Festoon is a swollen mound that forms on your cheek under your lower eye bag, and like Under-Eye bags can make you look tired and unhealthy.

On the Dr. Oz show, they treated an avocado to show what happens during the Eye Bag Laser Treatment. “The laser takes off the top layer of the avocado and the color starts to change and the skin looks a bit smoother. They then went through the middle layer of the avocado’s skin to get to the deeper layer which is a lime green color. In relation to your under-eye area, this is where your skin will create new elastic collagen fibers. From this point, a person will grow new skin all over again from the bottom layer up”.

For Lori, Dr. Reichel made an incision to take out the lower level of fat (this is called a trans-conjunctival blepharoplasty). She then used the Total FX fractional CO2 laser to resurface the skin. You can actually see the skin tightening as the laser goes over the area. After just 2 weeks, Lori looked fabulous. Her skin was smooth, and best of all, the festoons were gone.

BOGO Radiesse Special A Huge Success

We would like to thank MerzAesthetics for helping us with the buy one, get one free on Radiesse wrinkle correction filler. It is great to be able to do just the right amount of filler for cheek volume, and other facial lines and wrinkles. Dr. Laurie Jacobson will feature this special again on Tuesday, March 22nd. Call today 206.859.5777 to book your appointment and receive this extra special savings.

Skin Cancer Awareness

The providers at Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center are joining with the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). We will be offering FREE skin cancer screening exams the afternoons of May 3rd and 19th. Please call our office 206.859.5777 to schedule your appointment.

Non-Surgical Methods For Tightening/Removing Excess Skin

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Lately, many of my patients have been inquiring about non-surgical methods for removing excess skin and/or belly fat. For extra belly skin, and/or fatty deposits on the abdomen, the options range from liposuction, to surgical tummy tucks,to non-surgical laser devices meant to tighten the skin.

I have to admit, after having twin baby girls a year ago, I personally decided to try a Thermage treatment for my abdomen. The Thermage is a radio-frequency device (like a laser) that helps to smooth and tighten skin. On the abdomen, it can also help to decrease excess fat. Last year, Thermage came out with a new “Body Tip” that heats a larger area and works better for the body than the previous Thermage. I was amazed. It worked great for me and I lost about 1 inch of excess fat and skin. I have always questioned how well the non-invasive tightening devices work as I have seen some patients who only get minimal improvement (about 10% of the time). But, I think the new body Thermage is really great. It is best for people who have only mild to moderate loose skin or fat, and it won’t take the place of an abdominoplasty; yet, it is non-invasive, very safe, and doesn’t leave any scarring. It is somewhat painful during the treatment, but we can give you a mild sedative (like valium) before the procedure to make it more comfortable. You will feel like you have a sun-burn and will be a little tender for a few days. For the tummy, you do need to wear a compression garment after the treatment for about a week, and should avoid any heavy exercise during that time.

For some people, the right answer is to do liposuction for excess skin and fat. In fact, liposuction alone can cause some skin tightening and certainly is less invasive than a full tummy tuck. Often times I recommend Thermage post tummy liposuction to give that extra bit of tummy tightening.

Jennifer Reichel MD, Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

Liposuction For Stubborn Areas

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Dr. Reichel,

I was given your name by my dermatologist here in Seattle. I just wanted to check what the ball park (can be big ball park) is for liposuction of tummy area, and how fat on my arms (chicken wings) gets dealt with. Thanks, CL.

Dear CL,

Thank you for the question. With liposuction procedures, I treat “by the area”. So, the abdomen (tummy) would be one area. The cost for one area is usually between $3500 and $4500 depending on size and level of difficulty. For additional areas, there is an “add-on” cost which is usually between $1000 and $2000. The first step is to come in for a free liposuction consultation. I am always there for the consultation (very important to meet the physician that is doing your procedure). We do an examination and discuss liposuction and determine if you are a good candidate.

Tummies are the number one area treated by liposuction and patients do very well and get great results. Although you will have results immediately, it takes anywhere from 2-6 months for all of the swelling and healing to be complete.

The most common treatment for fat on the upper arms is also liposuction, although for some patients, a skin tightening laser such as Thermage may be a consideration. I love the results of liposuction for the upper arm. Not only does it remove the unwanted fatty deposit, most patients also get a tightening effect from the liposuction. For some patients, we may recommend a combined liposuction and Thermage to really treat the “chicken-wings”.

Thank you for the great Question,

Dr. Jennifer Reichel, Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

What is tumescent liposuction and do you use it?

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Tumescent liposuction was developed by a dermatologist, Dr. Jeffrey Klein, in the mid-1980s. It means to use a large amount of very dilute anesthetic to tumesce, or swell, the fatty tissues. It allows for removal of fat cells while patients are awake, and it greatly decreases the amount of bleeding and complications. Currently, almost all liposuction is done using tumescent anesthetic whether the patient is awake or under general sedation.

Dr. Reichel does liposuction using the tumescent technique.