Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Using a suction technique, the surgeon targets and removes fat cells through small incisions. This procedure aims to contour and reshape areas such as the thighs and hips in women and the flanks and abdomen in men, enhancing overall body proportions. McCollough Plastic Surgery offers cutting-edge techniques for liposuction in Gulf Shores, such as the tumescent technique and the ultrasonic technique, to help you achieve your contouring goals.
What Is Liposuction?
The term liposuction refers to the removal of fat with a slender hollow instrument called a cannula. This tubular instrument is inserted through a very small, well hidden incision and attached to a suction machine to literally vacuum out the excessive fat. The most common body areas sculpted with liposuction are the thighs, abdomen, and neck. In fact, any area of the body with excessive fat can be suctioned, including the face, arms, breasts, buttocks, or knees.
The reason why fat accumulates in the hips, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen is that fat in these areas is governed by the female hormone estrogen, and these fat deposits provide extra energy during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A woman with excessive fat in these areas, which does not respond to dieting and exercise, is the ideal candidate for liposuction.
Considerations for Liposuction Candidacy
Weight
If you’re overweight and find that in the past you have been unable to stick to a diet or exercise program and see liposuction as a cure to your obesity, liposuction by itself is not for you! We strongly recommend that you consult with a nutrition and fitness consultant to begin both the physical and mental transformation to a new you. If you are truly committed to having a healthier and more attractive body, our team of specialists can assist you in getting there.
Liposuction
Before & Afters
*Each patient is unique, and individual results may vary.
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Patient Testimonials
”Hands down the most pleasant experience I have ever had in a doctors office. The staff is extremely professional and they take care of you from the time you get there to the time you leave. Highly recommended!
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Skin Tone
Good skin tone is important. Once those bulges are removed, and a new contour is achieved, the excessive skin must shrink to fit the smaller area. Skin that lacks elasticity will sag and form irregular contours, which are difficult to correct. Good skin tone is a product of good skin care, protection from excessive sun, and moderation in drinking alcoholic beverages.
Biological Age
Skin tone is one reflection of aging, and yet loose, sagging skin is not necessarily a function of age. Therefore, there are only generalized age requirements for liposuction in Gulf Shores, with skin tone being the most important factor. Overall body health or one’s “biological age” plays an equally important role. We can help you determine how you measure up to others your age.
The Available Liposuction Techniques
Tumescent Liposuction
The tumescent technique refers to the infusion of large amounts of physiological salt solution into the fatty tissue to be removed. Local anesthetic solution, as well as adrenaline, is also usually used, which tends to diminish postoperative pain and generally minimizes blood loss during the procedure. When the tissues are full of fluid, the fatty tissue is loosened from its surrounding attachments and is more easily removed by suction. This usually allows larger amounts of fat to be extracted with less bleeding. In certain patients, 8 to 10 times as much fat can now be more safely removed than was previously possible using “dry” liposuction alone.
Ultrasonic Liposuction
Developed in Italy in the late 1980s, ultrasonic liposuction uses high-frequency sound waves to liquefy or “melt” the fat prior to removal. By “tuning” the frequency of the ultrasonic probe, fatty tissue is dissolved before the energy affects other tissues and structures. Therefore, it appears to be a more specific way of “melting” fat prior to its removal. It was thought that a major advantage of ultrasonic liposuction was the ability to treat the fat directly underneath the skin, leading to better skin shrinkage. Many surgeons felt this technique was best indicated for patients who tend to have loose skin.
Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction techniques have stood the test of time. Almost all liposuction procedures are performed safely and comfortably as an outpatient under general anesthesia. In order to properly contour a specific area, it requires some fat removal of nearby areas so that the overall contour is smooth and aesthetically pleasing. This would require large quantities of a local anesthetic, which we find to be poorly accepted by both patient and surgeon. Some regions of the body lend themselves, however, to be treated using local anesthesia.
Postoperative Care After Liposuction
There is always some discomfort after any surgical procedure, and liposuction is no exception. Usually, the discomfort is described as a “soreness” that is readily relieved with pain medication.
The night after surgery, some bleeding from the small incisions is expected and may soil the “compression garment.” The garment must stay in place for the first three days after surgery in order to keep bleeding and swelling to a minimum. The garment also helps your skin to tighten and contour to your new, smaller shape. After a postoperative visit on the third day after surgery, the garment can be removed daily to be washed, and the patient can shower and clean the incisions. Ideally, compression is continued for three weeks.
We advise that all patients wait at least five days before returning to work and three weeks before resuming normal physical activity, such as swimming, aerobics, or jogging. To optimize your surgical result, some form of regular physical activity is recommended to help muscle tone. Your overall figure depends not only on body fat but also on the size and firmness of the underlying musculature. Once the excessive fatty bulges are surgically removed, your body takes six to twelve months to tighten the loose skin created by decreasing your body size.
Liposuction Risks & Potential Complications
Complications related to liposuction include bruising, localized collection of serum or blood (largely prevented by the compression garment), “waviness” of the skin, transient skin numbness, and poor contouring of the body area suctioned. These problems can usually be prevented by proper patient selection, proper anesthetics, and well-qualified, experienced surgeons. Liposuction in Gulf Shores has proven to be both safe and effective for body contouring.
Will the Fat Return if I Gain Weight?
Our bodies only make a certain number of fat cells; therefore, if we remove some of these cells, they cannot return. This is not to say one cannot get fat. A thirty-pound weight gain will result in generalized obesity, but the predisposition for weight gain in the suctioned areas will be less than before surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation
McCollough Plastic Surgery invites you to embark on a transformative journey toward enhanced appearance and well-being. Here, we understand that looking your best paves the way for a healthier and happier life. Situated minutes away from the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, our multidisciplinary facility is designed to rejuvenate the face, body, mind, and spirit.
When you choose McCollough Plastic Surgery, you’re not just selecting a plastic surgery center – you’re embarking on a holistic transformation. Our on-site recovery villas, complete with round-the-clock care, ensure your path to a renewed self is both stress-free and enjoyable. Relax and feel the sea breeze as you take in views of the beach or golf course, all while we assist you in achieving your contouring goals. Schedule your consultation for liposuction in Gulf Shores to unlock the best version of yourself.
