Liposuction in Los Altos & Palo Alto, CA

Tumescent liposuction is an effective body contouring technique that uses tumescent fluid. Tumescent fluid is a special formulation that causes the fat cells in the targeted area to grow firm and swollen, making it easier to break apart fat and remove it through a small cannula (tube). Tumescent fluid is made of:

• Saline: sterile salt water
• Epinephrine: to reduce bleeding and bruising complications
• Lidocaine: to eliminate or greatly reduce discomfort

The lidocaine in the tumescent fluid remains active in your body for approximately 24 hours, helping to alleviate discomfort well after the procedure has been completed. Over-the-counter pain relievers are effective at managing discomfort once the effects of the lidocaine have worn off.

Tumescent liposuction is an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to return home shortly after its completion. Although every patient heals at their own pace, you should be able to return to work after just a few days of recuperation at home. Avoid most types of strenuous activity and exercise, except walking, for about a week after your surgery.

The tumescent technique is one of the most popular and effective methods for removing unwanted fat, but it is not an obesity treatment. It should not be a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise. During your free initial consultation at Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery, you will meet personally with aboard-certified plastic surgeon who will listen to your goals, evaluate your physical condition and liposuction candidacy, and explain all of your cosmetic options.

With power-assisted liposuction, the cannula or tube used to remove fat from targeted areas features a vibrating tip, which helps break up fat more easily, allowing it to be suctioned out with greater ease. This technique typically results in a quicker procedure and leads to a more successful removal of fatty tissue from specific areas.

While there are a variety of liposuction techniques, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind when preparing for your procedure:

• Follow your surgeon’s instructions
• Set realistic expectations
• Stop smoking
• Avoid blood-thinning substances such as alcohol and certain medications

Depending on the type of liposuction you choose to undergo, you will be provided with detailed pre- and postoperative instructions on how to get ready for your surgery and manage the recovery process. You must follow all instructions provided by your liposuction surgeon to ensure the best possible recovery and results.

Liposuction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedures can both improve the appearance of your midsection and overall body contours, but they are performed for different reasons.

Abdominoplasty is performed to remove excess skin in the abdominal region and to tighten the underlying muscles in the abdomen. Tummy tucks are often ideal for patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight or completed a pregnancy.

Liposuction, on the other hand, is ideally suited for patients with good muscle tone and no excess skin who want to eliminate small pockets of stubborn fat.

While the two procedures are designed to accomplish different goals, many patients choose to combine liposuction with other procedures, such as tummy tucks and mommy makeovers.

As medical knowledge and techniques have advanced, we have developed techniques to help transform unwanted fat from an “enemy” into a valuable tool for achieving beautifully sculpted figures through the process of fat transfer.

Through fat transfer, rather than simply discarding harvested fat as waste, it is cleaned, processed, and used to provide volume in other areas of the body. With liposuction, your fat can be safely removed and used in procedures such as:

• Breast augmentation
• Butt lift
• Facial plastic surgery

No. Liposuction is a body contouring procedure for patients at or near their ideal weight. It is not a weight loss surgery.

If you are unsure if you are at a good weight for liposuction surgery, the best way to find out is to contact Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery to discuss your candidacy.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves making incisions, resulting in scars. As with every surgical procedure conducted at Altos Oaks Plastic Surgery, we strive to minimize the size and visibility of your incisions and resulting scars.

The size and placement of your incisions depend on the specifics of your unique procedure. Before surgery, your physician will carefully explain where your incisions will be made and what type of scarring you can expect.

The cost of liposuction varies from patient to patient and depends on the type of liposuction procedure performed, the extent of work needed, and whether your liposuction is performed alone or in combination with other procedures. The best way to gain a clear understanding of what you can expect to pay for your surgery is to meet personally with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons during a complimentary initial consultation.

During this one-on-one meeting, all of your options will be explained, and you will be provided with an estimate of what you can expect to pay for the procedure you have chosen.

We understand that plastic surgery is a significant and personal decision. We strive to inform you fully about every procedure so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment. You will never feel pressured or rushed into making a decision.