Body Contouring

Liposuction

Body contouring encompasses a group of surgical approaches to improve soft tissue contour of the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, and the neck. Liposuction, or suction-assisted lipectomy, improves soft tissue contour through removal of fat using conventional suction or with ultrasonic assistance. Both conventional and ultrasonic methods use a modified "tumescent" or superwet technique, where large amounts of a very dilute local anesthetic solution are used to pretreat the fatty deposits prior to surgical removal. Most liposuction procedures are performed under general anesthesia to allow for position changes intraoperatively that allow for optimal results. Liposuction is often combined with breast enhancement or other body contouring procedures.

Most body contouring procedures, other than small areas for liposuction, are best performed using general anesthesia. Liposuction and limited or "miniabdominoplasty" patients usually return home the day of surgery. Full abdominoplasty and body lift patients usually stay overnight for observation following the procedure and return home the following morning. Postoperative recovery entails a short period of activity restriction following liposuction and a pressure garment to be worn for about four weeks. Tummy tuck patients are restricted from vigorous exercise for several weeks to allow for the deep abdominal wall repair to completely heal and stabilize.