Liposuction Questions and Answers

Phoenix and Glendale, Arizona

What happens during a liposuction procedure?

Small incisions (1/8th to 1/2 of an inch) are made to treat unattractive fat deposits on your body. A special "tissue wetting" solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the treatment area to minimize bleeding and reduce postoperative discomfort.  A small cannula (hollow tube) is inserted and used to break apart the fat cells and suction them from your body. Different types of liposuction technology may be used including ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), power-assisted liposuction (PAL), and conventional liposuction cannulas. Newer devices incorporating laser technology are also used by some surgeons, but may not yield better results. You are placed under general anesthesia and you are completely asleep or sometimes for smaller cases just given sedative and pain medication through an IV along with local anesthesia at the treatment site. Usually you can go home the same day (outpatient surgery). If a larger volume of fat has been removed, you may be required to stay overnight in an aftercare facility at the hospital or surgery center.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
If you are in good general health and have excess fat that has not responded to traditional diet and exercise, you could be a good candidate. You would need to have skin with good elasticity so that it will shrink to fit your new shape. Liposuction is not recommended as a weight-loss technique. Those patients who need lifestyle modifications are best served by addressing those concerns first and then having liposuction if appropriate. Liposuction surgeon Dr. Angelchik can refer you to professionals with expertise in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, or bariatric surgery.

What is Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)?
The cannula used for suction also emits ultrasonic vibrations which liquefy the fat by disrupting the cell walls. This makes the fat easier to remove while leaving nerves and blood vessels in the area intact. It is especially useful in areas where there is more fibrous tissue within the fat compartment.

What is Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)?
PAL uses a cannula with a power supply. This allows Dr. Angelchik to move the device through the fatty tissue with mechanized movements rather than the traditional manual movements. The cannula uses tiny, rapid in-and-out motions to separate the fat cells and this makes the procedure faster and more efficient.

What is recovery like?
Areas of the body that have undergone liposuction are generally sore and numb in places and antibiotics and pain medications are prescribed. Bruising will generally subside with two to four weeks and swelling resolves itself slowly over a six month period. You can usually resume normal activities and return to work after about a week to ten days, depending on individual healing capabilities and the extent of the liposuction done. Strenuous exercise is not recommended in the first two to three weeks and a comfortable compression garment is usually worn for the first six weeks.

You can see Before and After pictures of liposuction on our Results page.
For more information on liposuction and other body contouring procedures, please contact us at our Phoenix, AZ offices to schedule a private liposuction consultation.