Many people are unhappy with the fatty pockets around their stomach that are resistant to diet or exercise. Liposuction is currently the number one cosmetic surgery procedure in the US.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 400,000 liposuction procedures were undertaken in 2015 alone.
While loose fat in the tummy area may not magically disappear, liposuction does offer an effective solution to remove love handles and other types of undesirable fat. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman provides liposuction body sculpting to patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and surrounding communities.
What Stomach Liposuction Does
There is a general redistribution of body fat due to aging, especially around the mid-body section. Childbirth can lead to the development of stubborn and undesirable body fat in women. In addition, genetics account for a lot as well. But as far as liposuction is concerned, all fat is not the same.
The fat that is unresponsive to diet and exercise is typically subcutaneous fat. This type of fat is found underneath the skin an on top of the abdominal muscle wall.
How Abdominal Liposuction is Performed
A technique, known as “tumescent liposuction,” is commonly used to eliminate fat around the buttocks, ankles, stomach, and ankles. “Tumescent” refers to the amount of buffered saltwater that is injected into the tissue underneath the skin.
The surgeon places an incision in the fatty area to be treated and then inserts a thin tube (cannula) beneath the flesh. The cannula is connected to a vacuum with a rigid wand at the end.
The surgeon manipulates the cannula back and forth rapidly to break down the fat. It takes between 45 minutes to two hours to complete the procedure. The downtime related to this procedure is typically up to two weeks.
The full effects of stomach liposuction typically become apparent in six to 12 weeks after the surgery. The surgeon will bandage the area after the procedure and will require the patient to wear a compression garment for around one to two weeks. The patient may experience bruising and pain for up to two weeks while the inflammation may remain from two weeks to two months.
What Stomach Liposuction Cannot Do
Liposuction cosmetic surgery is meant to be a fat-loss procedure and is not designed to be a weight-loss solution. These fat pockets are not responsive to exercise, especially around the thighs, buttocks, hips, and stomach.
The patient may lose a slight amount of weight after liposuction, but it will likely not be significant. Additionally, liposuction cannot address a bulging stomach occurring due to abdominal wall weakness. It cannot tighten loose skin. At times, liposuction may be performed along with a tummy tuck to tone and flatten the abdominal area effectively.
Post-Operative Healing
Patients usually do not need any pain drugs stronger than acetaminophen (Tylenol) following tumescent liposuction. The pain feels similar to the burning sensation felt after an aggressive work-out session or muscle soreness.
The intensity of the pain feels similar to that of sunburn. It is felt the most when the skin is touched or flexed, such as when getting in and out of a car, rolling over in bed, or sitting still in a chair. The patient will feel minimal discomfort when sitting or walking.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman receives patients from Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and nearby areas for liposuction body contouring.
To learn more about cosmetic treatment and procedures or to schedule a consultation by Cleveland Ohio area plastic surgeon, Dr. Bram Kaufman, please contact us at 1-216-778-2245 or click here.
Now taking new patients in Cleveland OH | Pepper Pike | Beachwood | Lyndhurst and other surrounding areas.