Liposuction Serving Oakland & The San Francisco Bay Area

While results vary between each individual and the specific area or areas treated, patients can lose as much as 20 to 30 pounds as a result of liposuction, and between 2 and 4 inches around the waist.

If you are considering surgical liposuction, it is important that you have realistic expectations. Although dramatic results can be achieved, they may not be as immediate or obvious as you would like. The success of liposuction surgery, as with all cosmetic procedures, depends on a number of individual factors, such as age, skin elasticity, skin excess, weight, and overall health.

The ideal liposuction candidate is someone with localized areas of fat, good skin elasticity and close to their ideal body weight (think 10 - 30 pounds). Liposuction can be used to treat multiple areas. There are questions that you should ask yourself before you decide to undergo body sculpting liposuction:

1. Are you in generally good health?
2. Is your excess fat in specific areas?
3. Does your skin tone have reasonably good elasticity?

Liposuction is not suitable for people with:

1. A weakened immune system
2. Heart problems
3. A history of blood clots or restricted blood flow

Liposuction surgery cannot be used to treat obesity alone. It will also not necessarily eliminate cellulite. The procedure helps to improve a patient's body contour, and will not make you lose weight.

Body sculpting liposuction (also referred to as lipoplasty or contouring liposuction) is the removal of fatty tissue from localized problem areas of the body. It is a very popular method of localized fat reduction that uses a suction technique to remove pockets of fat from troublesome areas such as the thighs, hips, abdomen, and upper arms. Body sculpting liposuction helps both men and women to improve the contours of their bodies through a relatively simple and safe surgical procedure.

The liposuction process involves the insertion of a cannula (a slender, hollow metal tube) through a small incision concealed in a skin fold near the site to be reduced, and scars are virtually undetectable. Through repeated movements of the cannula under the skin, fat globules are separated and removed by vacuum suction through the cannula. Usually only one small incision will be needed for each area being treated with body sculpting liposuction.

The area concerned is injected with tumescent solution prior to insertion of the cannula, in order to reduce bleeding, control pain and to assist the breakdown and loosening of the fat deposits.

Liposuction will sculpt or re-contour the body, but does not necessarily result in significant weight loss. The aim of body sculpting surgery is to lose inches rather than weight, and to alter the patient's shape. It is very effective in removing of unwanted bumps and bulges and in improving the body's silhouette.

Areas of the body that benefit the most from body sculpting liposuction are:

• Cheeks, jowls, and neck
• Upper arms
• Breast or chest areas
• Back
• Abdomen and waistline (love handles in men)
• Hips and buttocks
• Inner and outer thighs
• Knees, calves and ankles

Liposuction surgery can be combined with other cosmetic surgery techniques and may be carried out in a number of areas at the same time.

The amount of fat removed varies but more than five liters of fat removal typically will require a hospital stay. Fat cells removed by liposuction are permanently removed. You will still gain weight if you overeat, though the fat will show in other areas.

1. ANESTHESIA: The body sculpting liposuction procedure is performed under a general or twilight anesthesia (where you are sedated but not unconscious) or local anesthetic, depending on the type and number of liposuction procedures you undergo. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis unless large volumes of fat are being removed.
2. THE INCISIONS: After administering the anesthesia, the next step in liposuction surgery is to create tiny incisions in the area of the body where the tumescent fluid will be injected and fat deposits will be removed. These incisions are usually quite small, a third of an inch at the most. These incisions are then used to insert the cannula, a thin vacuum tube, which will extract the fat.
3. FAT REMOVAL: Dr. Williams will insert the cannula, through the incision (or incisions), into the deep fat layer beneath your skin. Using back and forth movements, the cannula removes the unwanted fat deposits beneath the skin.
4. CLOSING THE INCISIONS: The incisions are then closed with a single dissolving stitch.

When you wake up from your liposuction procedure you will be able to notice small improvements. As your body absorbs the fluid added over the next several weeks these results get more and more dramatic. There is often some bruising and swelling to the areas treated, however this should subside after a few weeks. The areas affected by the surgery will be swollen, sore and tender to the touch for three to six months after surgery. You will be required to wear a support garment for up to six weeks after your liposuction operation. The appearance of the treated areas will continue to improve once swelling subsides, and your unwanted fat will be gone, resulting in a slimmer, smoother body contour. Liposuction recovery times vary from procedure to procedure depending on the area treated and individual differences. Try to take things as easy as possible, as your liposuction recovery will be much speedier if you do.

You can expect to really see your new body shape about three to six months after your liposuction surgery, and it is important that you continue to eat healthy and exercise to maintain your new figure.

As with all major surgery, liposuction carries risks, such as bleeding, infection and an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. Complications vary depending on how large the procedure, though bruising and swelling are normal. Liposuction side effects vary from patient to patient, and these are the most common:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Discomfort
• Infection
• Numbness – usually temporary

  Extended healing time

  With today's modern techniques, potential liposuction side effects have been greatly reduced. Bruising usually disappears within a few weeks of having a liposuction procedure, and swelling will improve gradually over a few months. This is a powerful technique that has provided our patients amazing results.

Due to the anesthetic, there is no pain during liposuction. Most patients experience modest discomfort or soreness in early recovery. However, these effects are generally short-lived. Most patients feel comfortable enough to resume their daily activities within a few days to weeks, depending on the extent of fat removed and whether they combined liposuction and another procedure.

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. You can return home the same day. If you underwent general anesthesia or oral sedation, someone must drive you. If you received local anesthetic only, you can drive home as long as you feel well enough.

Some patients elect to have liposuction with local anesthetic when treating a small area such as a double chin.

Liposuction is for patients aged 18 and older. There is no upper age limit so long as you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

The treated fat will not return. However, liposuction cannot prevent weight gain in the future. You will need to maintain a stable weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Should you gain weight and have a stubborn fat bulge return, you can always have a second liposuction procedure.

Dr. Williams may advise you to wear a compression garment during the first few weeks of your recovery. Medical literature suggests that compression helps the skin retract around the new body contours and reduces swelling.

The cost of liposuction in San Francisco depends on the surgeon's skill, the type of liposuction, and the size and number of areas treated. Tri Valley Plastic Surgery strives for fair and accurate pricing that reflects Dr. Williams’ level of expertise. Insurance does not cover liposuction as it is a cosmetic procedure, although financing plans such as CareCredit® may be available.