Chattanooga Tennessee Liposuction at The Plastic Surgery Group, P.C.

Chattanooga, Tennessee Liposuction
The Plastic Surgery Group, P.C., in Chattanooga, Tennessee offers the latest plastic surgery procedures, includingliposuction. For more information on the body contouring procedures we offer, visit our plastic surgery procedures page or call our plastic surgery staff at (423) 756-7134 or (800) 634-3334. You can also e-mail us your questions and we will be in touch with you shortly.

1. Am I A Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is the process where fat is removed through small incisions near the area to be suctioned. The procedure can produce excellent results for people who have deposits of excess fat that make certain body areas appear disproportionately large. The best results are achieved in patients who are at or near their normal weight with good skin elasticity and are interested in improving their body contour. Fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise or that are genetically predetermined in a specific area can be eliminated.

2. What Are The Risks to Liposuction?

Liposuction was the most commonly performed procedure done by board-certified Plastic Surgeons in the United States last year. The typical risks that are standard with every procedure, such as problems with anesthesia, bleeding, and infection apply here; however, these risks are low. The removal of fat through small incisions with cannulas is an inexact science and occasionally there will be contour irregularities or mild asymmetry when comparing sides. This is more common in individuals who are very overweight, have poor skin quality or smoke.

3. Where And How Big Are The Incisions for Liposuction?

The incisions are usually placed within the natural folds of the skin so that they are virtually undetectable after healing has progressed. The parts of the body that are treated determine where the incisions are placed. The incisions will vary between 1/8" up to ½" inch depending on the type of cannula and technique used.

4. Is Liposuction Effective in Removing Cellulite?

Cellulite is a condition where fibrous adhesions attach the skin to the underlying fascia in certain areas of the body. Heredity tends to play a part in whether or not you have cellulite, which may not become apparent until gaining weight, usually in the mid-20's to 30's. It can be best managed by successful weight reduction programs to eliminate the bulging of the fatty tissue around these adhesions. There are no effective creams, medications or lotions that will improve cellulite. Liposuction does not effectively treat cellulite either although it may be somewhat helpful in selected areas.

5. Which Areas Of The Body Are Best For Liposuction, And Which Are The Least Effective?

Liposuction is used in the following areas most effectively: Chin and neck; upper arms; breast area; back; abdomen and waist; hips and buttocks; thighs; inner knees; and to a lesser extent, the calves and ankles.

Small cannula liposuction can be used effectively in the calf and ankle areas in selected patients; however, it may be necessary to wear compression garments longer in these areas due to lingering swelling. The buttocks and particularly the medial thigh areas should be treated with caution as removing too much fat may result in the excess skin being obvious.

6. How Much Weight Difference Will There Be After Liposuction Surgery?

Fat tissue is not extremely dense or very heavy, thus removing three to five liters of fat from your body will not result in significant weight loss. The difference will be in your body contour, usually in inches and how your clothes fit. You may even initially gain a small amount of weight in the immediate postoperative period due to fluid that is given during surgery. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity but it can permanently change body proportion and eliminate fat deposits that do not respond to diet or exercise.

7. Do I Have to Have a Blood Transfusion Or Take Iron?

Modern day suction assisted lipectomy utilizes significant volumes of fluid containing Adrenalin or Epinephrine, which help keep blood loss to a minimum. There is no need to take iron or consider blood transfusions with liposuctioning even when larger volumes are removed.