Liposuction

We are proud to offer patients our extensive experience and expertise in liposuction, the single most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S. today. Liposuction sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat that has not responded to diet and exercise from the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Liposuction not only offers the opportunity to slim and contour chubby areas of the body; by removing the fat cells, it also ensures that these areas will not accumulate fatty deposits in the future.

Personalized Care

Our doctors know that all patients are different, both in their body shapes and in what they wish to achieve with liposuction. We take as much time as necessary during every pre-operative consultation to learn what each patient wants liposuction to do for them, and to decide which technique is best. In this way, every one of our patients enjoys completely customized treatment designed with his or her specific goals in mind.

Liposuction Techniques

The liposuction procedure begins with the injection of a solution composed of saline (salt water), a local anesthetic called lidocaine, and a small amount of adrenaline to decrease bruising and bleeding. This is known as either the tumescent or super-wet technique, depending on the ratio of the fluid to the fatty tissue being removed.

Once this solution has been introduced into the area planned for liposuction treatment, the doctor proceeds with one of two different methods of liposuction currently approved by plastic surgeons: suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) or ultrasonic-assisted lipectomy (UAL).

In both methods, a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible. In SAL, a cannula (small tube) is inserted and moved back and forth beneath the skin, breaking up the fat layer and suctioning it out. In UAL, ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out with a cannula.

The liposuction procedure may last from one to five hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. The doctor will use either local anesthesia or general anesthesia, again depending on the size of the area(s) being treated, as well as several other factors. We will discuss which method is best for you during your pre-operative consultation.

Recovery

After liposuction surgery, drainage tubes, compression garments and antibiotics may be needed to facilitate the healing process. Patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able, and many return to work within a few days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month.

Results of Liposuction

Results are visible immediately, and improvement often continues as swelling subsides during the first three months.

We make sure that scars from the liposuction cannula insertion point are small and inconspicuous.

Risks of Liposuction

Risks are uncommon when the liposuction is performed by a qualified surgeon. Nevertheless, they do occur, and may include the following:

Irregularities in appearance are possible, such as asymmetric or "baggy" skin, numbness and pigmentation changes.

Tumescent Liposuction

After more than 10 years as America’s most popular surgical beauty fix, liposuction remains the only true method to permanently remove unwanted fat deposits and reshape the body.

Dr. Reichel is specially trained in the tumescent liposuction technique. Using the tumescent technique, Dr. Reichel is able to perform the procedure without general anesthesia. This decreases the medical risk to the patient. During the 1 – 2 hour procedure, areas to be treated are first injected with a dilute local anesthetic to eliminate any discomfort. Dr. Reichel then uses a small hollow stainless steel tube called a cannula to remove the unwanted fat. Using the small bore cannula decreases the recovery time and allows patients to return to normal activity in just a short time.

All liposuction procedures are done in Dr. Reichel’s AAAHC accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center, assuring the highest level of safety and care for her patients.

Liposuction is so effective that in 2006, more than 403,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Of those, more than 53,000 were for men and another 3,200 were for persons age 18 or younger.

Interest in liposuction remains strong because it is still the only way to re-sculpt the body in just one procedure. The technique is considered permanent, because the fat cells that are removed can never re-grow.

Results are especially good for those who have tried dieting and exercise but are still unable to lose areas of exercise resistant fatty deposits. Liposuction can be used to smooth the tummy, thighs and love handles. It is also great for shaping the neck and jawline. Liposuction can reshape smaller areas like the arms and legs. This can provide more definition to these areas, creating a leaner and more graceful silhouette.

Dr. Reichel has been performing liposuction for more than 8 years with fabulous results. Please call 206-859-5777 for your free liposuction consultation.

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