Liposuction

In today's appearance-conscious world, it's not unusual for people to focus on the flaws in their physiques. You may complain about being pear-shaped or flat-as-a-board. After decades of fitness awareness, we all know that genetics chiefly determine body shape--even if you exercise regularly and eat right. So, you got your wide "child-bearing" hips and small breasts from your mother or grandmother... but that doesn't mean you can't make changes. Dr. Aguilar is a respected expert in his field, and believes in eliminating long-held myths about liposuction and other plastic surgery procedures. An image consultation allows the patient a chance to explain what they want and why. "If you want your body sculpted to match your mind's eye of body image, I can accomplish that with plastic surgery. We'll discuss your goals, and I'll explain what's possible."

IS IT ALL RIGHT TO BRING IN PICTURES FROM MAGAZINES?
Patients today often come into the doctor's office armed with photos clipped from magazines. They may want their breasts to look like a Playboy centerfold and their legs to look like those of Julia Roberts. "Showing me what they find attractive can be helpful," says Dr. Aguilar.

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN LIPOSUCTION FOR ABS, THIGHS, AND BUTTOCKS?
During liposuction, with the patient under anesthesia, Dr. Aguilar makes an incision in the inside crease of the buttock, and thus, accesses the inner and outer thighs and buttocks. Abdominal liposuction requires an incision below the bikini line or through the belly button. "To minimize bruising, I first insert a 'lipo-tumescent solution that is blood-vessel-constricting" says Dr. Aguilar. "After it takes effect, I start the liposuction," says Dr. Aguilar. Using a small suction tube, he removes fatty tissue; the vigorous movement is much like vacuuming.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER SURGERY?
After you recover from surgery, the overlying skin--elastic in nature--will snug down to the muscle underneath. This results in a thinner, more svelte look. This procedure often adds symmetry and shape to the body. To maintain the results, follow a healthy lifestyle of exercise and good nutrition. "Be sure to choose a surgeon who does liposuction often," emphasizes Dr. Aguilar. "You want it done right, and you want it done carefully and conservatively." Bruising and swelling--parts of the normal aftermath of liposuction--will subside in a few days. After surgery, you are asked to follow post-op instructions carefully in order to ensure a fast recovery. You will wear a fitted compression garment for six weeks, day and night, except when you're showering. You must keep the skin under pressure to prevent any unsightly, lax-skin ballooning. It's also important to understand that liposuction is messy. For the first three days after surgery, your incision sites leak fluid. You'll take medication, of course, for discomfort (most patients say that liposuction leaves you feeling like you've done a hard workout).

WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK?
Most people with office jobs can return to work within 48 hours. You should wait about a week before resuming physical exercise.

WHAT DOES LIPOSUCTION WORK BEST ON?
It can remove undesired fat from most body areas: face, neck, chin, breast, stomach, hips, love handles, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, and ankles. The use of tumescent liposuction allows surgeons to remove deep and superficial layers of fat under local anesthesia with relatively little discomfort, with virtually no complications and excellent results. When doing liposuction, Dr. Aguilar removes fat with a small instrument called a cannula that is attached to a suction machine. The cannula is manipulated within the layers to remove unwanted fatty deposits. Thus, bulging areas of the body are resculpted into more attractive contours.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO SEE MY FINAL RESULTS? "Patients need to understand that liposuction results in swelling that hangs on for several weeks," Dr. Aguilar explains. "You'll see your final result about two to three months after liposuction."

WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS?
Liposuction isn't intended to be an operation for weight loss. It is, instead, a shaping procedure for areas of hereditary fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet. "We see the best results in body areas where there is good muscle tone and where skin has good elastic quality," he says. In cases of poor muscle tone and elasticity, it may take liposuction and surgical skin tightening to remove the loose tissue, in order to achieve a superior result.

ARE THERE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?
The tumescent technique is safe and predictable; few significant side effects occur in most patients.