Liposuction

LIPOSUCTION IN NEW ORLEANS

When efforts to lose weight fail to remove stubborn fat pads on certain body parts, liposuction is an effective way to sculpt and contour those areas. It is also an effective treatment to help eliminate a double chin and tighten the neck and jawline when aging or weight gain has caused excess fat to accumulate.

Many patients enjoy amazing results either with facial or body treatments with the expertise of our board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Velargo uses liposuction for facial procedures, while Dr. Hendrick sculpts body outlines by removing unwanted fat pads.

They frequently perform liposuction in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures, including rhytidectomy (facelift/neck lift), tummy tuck, Brachioplasty (arm lift), body lift, and thigh lift.

BEST CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction candidates include:

  • Patients who are within 30% of their ideal weight and have firm, elastic skin, and good muscle tone.
  • Patients who have no serious health issues which may endanger their recovery.
  • Patients who don’t smoke.
  • Patients who have specific goals and a positive outlook on their liposuction results.

The main purpose for liposuction is to remove unwanted fat, but not skin. Great skin elasticity is necessary so the patient’s skin can conform to the treatment site after the procedure. Dr. Velargo and Dr. Hendrick also believe the best candidates for liposuction should have realistic expectations for their results. They do not recommend liposuction as a weight loss procedure and feel patients should be close to their ideal weight with a healthy body mass index.

The most common liposuction treatment areas for women are the chin, abdomen, thighs, hips, knees, arms, back, buttocks, calves, and ankles. Men have liposuction mainly performed on the neck, chin, abdomen, “love handles,” and chest (gynecomastia).

Liposuction removes stubborn localized pockets of fat from a variety of areas, including the jowls, chin, neck, abdomen, waist, love handles, thighs, hips, buttocks, upper arms, knees, and calves. It is an outpatient procedure that is usually performed using a local anesthetic and sedation, but in some cases, general anesthesia may be necessary.

Before the procedure, Dr. Hendrick or Dr. Velargo will map out the problem areas for treatment. During the procedure, small incisions are made to gain access to these areas. Next, we apply a tumescent solution into the treatment areas to provide additional anesthesia to the site, decreases blood loss, and reduces post-operative bruising.

After placing the solution, we remove excessive, unwanted fat using suction through a special device known as a cannula. After extracting sufficient amounts of fat, we close with sutures, then place a compression garment over the treatment area.

With a fat grafting procedure, we place the extracted fat into a special centrifuge to remove excess fluids and purify. Next, we inject the purified fat into the area needing volume using a small cannula.

Depending on the extent of your liposuction, you will be advised to take one to two weeks off from normal activities including work or school. You should avoid strenuous exercise for four to six weeks.

We provide a compression garment to wear during the healing process and will prescribe pain medication to manage any post-operative discomfort.

Daily incision care includes keeping them clean with mild soap and water. We will remove any non-dissolvable sutures during a follow-up examination. You will have the opportunity to ask questions for after surgery care at any time, including during your consultation.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

Let our results set your expectations. View our gallery to see more stunning before and afters. 

WHY NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR AESTHETICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY

Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Russell Hendrick and Dr. Parker Velargo combine their skills and training to provide a comprehensive solution to your cosmetic and plastic surgery needs. Whether you are seeking a facial plastic surgeon or one whose skills are focused more on the body, our dedicated staff will ensure your needs will be met effectively, safely, and stress-free.

Visit our about page and learn more about the staff and review their experience and credentials.

CHOOSING A SURGEON

The most important decision to make when considering liposuction is who will perform the procedure. The most important question to ask your surgeon is if they are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification will ensure your surgeon has:

  • Graduated from a qualified medical school
  • Completed six years of surgical training and three years of plastic surgery residency
  • Passed a comprehensive array of oral and written exams
  • Complete continued education annually to ensure they are up on the latest technologies and techniques
  • Performs surgery in an accredited surgical facility
Drs. Velargo & Hendrick

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Liposuction typically has long-lasting results. However, with weight gain, fat can accumulate again in the same areas. Maintaining a steady weight is your best defense against the need for future liposuction.

 

Although weight gain will increase body mass, body contours will not be affected because fat cells do not regenerate. Your weight gain will be evenly distributed throughout your body.

 

Since liposuction is a cosmetic procedure, insurance companies do not cover it.

 

When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon, liposuction is a safe and effective procedure. When comparing liposuction to other aesthetic procedures, it is minimally invasive with less downtime and recovery. However, patients may experience temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, and soreness around the treatment areas.

Results are immediate although swelling may obscure body contour improvements. When swelling subsides, results become clearer. Most patients see improvement after three weeks with complete outcomes realized after six months to a year.

A sufficient amount of fat needs to be extracted during liposuction to produce proportionate and natural-looking results. This amount is unique to each patient.

We will never suggest liposuction as a weight loss treatment. It is a body sculpting procedure designed to eliminate unwanted fat pads which stubbornly remain after diet and exercise. Best results are when the patient has acceptable muscle tone in treatment areas where the skin is pliable and fat is not too excessive.

Although with most patients, skin tissues conform to new body contours, if the skin has little elasticity, loose skin may increase. We evaluate your skin elasticity during your consultation to determine if you have enough skin support for optimal results.

Yes. We include liposuction with many aesthetic procedures to ensure the best results. Facelift, neck lift, tummy tuck, body lift, and other procedures incorporate liposuction to give you the most dramatic and pleasing results.

Depending on how many areas were treated and the extent of the liposuction, this period varies with the patient to patient. However, two to three weeks is required with most patients.

Again, this varies from patient to patient but one or two weeks should be sufficient to recover enough to return to work.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

To learn more about New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery contact us today to schedule an appointment to meet our dedicated surgeons and staff.

For more information or to schedule a personal consultation, please call (504) 533-8848.