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.

What are the Benefits of Liposuction?

Liposuction offers numerous benefits that make it a sought-after procedure for those looking to enhance their body contours. Some of the key advantages include:

Permanent Removal of Excess Fat Cells: Once fat cells are removed, they do not regenerate, providing long-lasting results.

Improved Body Contours and Proportions: Liposuction helps create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing body shape.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Confidence: Achieving desired body contours can significantly boost an individual’s self-image and confidence.

Ability to Target Multiple Areas: Liposuction can be performed on various parts of the body, including the abdomen, thighs, arms, and more.

Minimally Invasive Procedure: With relatively quick recovery times, liposuction is less invasive compared to other surgical procedures.

Combination with Other Cosmetic Procedures: Liposuction can be combined with other surgeries, such as tummy tucks or facelifts, for a more comprehensive transformation.

BEST CANDIDATES FOR A LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURE

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.

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. Local anesthesia is often used in liposuction procedures to minimize patient discomfort and facilitate quicker, less invasive surgeries. 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 PROCEDURE STEPS

Before the Procedure

Before undergoing liposuction, several important steps must be taken to ensure a safe and successful outcome:

  • Consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: Discuss your goals and expectations with a qualified liposuction surgeon in New Orleans to determine if you are a suitable candidate.
  • Health Assessment: Ensure you are in good overall health and have a stable weight. This includes having a healthy lifestyle and avoiding smoking.
  • Medication Review: Avoid certain medications and supplements that may increase the risk of complications during and after the procedure.
  • Healthy Diet and Exercise: Maintain a stable weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise to optimize your liposuction results.

During the Procedure

The liposuction procedure itself involves several key steps to effectively remove excess fat:

  • Anesthesia: Depending on the extent of the procedure, local or general anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort.
  • Incisions: Small incisions are made in the treatment area to allow for the insertion of the cannula.
  • Cannula Insertion: A thin tube called a cannula is inserted through the incisions to suction out excess fat cells.
  • Tumescent Liposuction: A specialized solution may be used to help loosen and remove fat cells more effectively.
  • Fat Removal and Incision Closure: The excess fat cells are removed, and the incisions are closed to complete the procedure.

After the Procedure

Post-operative care is crucial for achieving optimal liposuction results and ensuring a smooth recovery:

  • Compression Garment: Wear a compression garment to help your body adjust to its new shape and reduce swelling.
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Continue following a healthy diet and exercise program to maintain your new contours.
  • Follow-Up Appointments: Attend scheduled follow-up visits with your plastic surgeon to monitor your healing process.
  • Activity Restrictions: Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for several weeks to allow your body to heal properly.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can maximize the benefits of your liposuction procedure and enjoy a more contoured and confident appearance.

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. Proper preparation for liposuction surgery is crucial, and our surgeons will provide specific pre-operative instructions to ensure a safe procedure and desirable aesthetic outcomes.

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. Selecting a qualified surgeon for liposuction surgery is crucial to ensure a safe and effective procedure. 

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.

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat deposits and improve body contours. Traditional liposuction involves the use of a straw-like cannula to extract unwanted fat, where the surgeon manually manipulates the cannula to remove fat. This method is contrasted with newer technologies, such as power-assisted liposuction, which offer improved precision.

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.