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Dr. Jennifer Emmett, M.D.

Home Liposuction Everything You Need to Know About Liposuction

December 12, 2022

If you maintain a healthy diet and weight but are still struggling to lose fat in certain areas of your body you may be interested in liposuction. 

Over 250,000 men and women choose to get liposuction a year to improve their physical appearance and boost their self-esteem. 

By removing fat cells, highly skilled plastic surgeons can contour areas of your body, such as your abdomen, breasts, buttocks, arms, hips, and thighs. 

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, body sculpting, or body contouring, is not the best option for those searching for a weight loss method. 

Instead, it is a cosmetic surgery to remove stubborn fatty tissue to help refine your body’s shape. 

Learn about liposuction, if it is the correct procedure for you, how long the results will last, and where to find a double-board certified plastic surgeon in the Colorado area. 

What is liposuction?

During liposuction surgery, large fat cells are removed with a cannula (thin tube) and suctioning device to slim and reshape the area of your body you would like to enhance.

While the best method for weight loss is eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep, sometimes built-up fat deposits won’t budge. 

Since liposuction is generally a cosmetic surgery that is not performed for health benefits, most insurance companies do not cover this procedure. 

If you are interested in improving your appearance with liposuction, Dr. Emmett can discuss options and financing with you during your free initial consultation. 

Is liposuction right for me?

Liposuction may be good for you if you are in good health, eat a well-balanced diet, and have maintained the same body weight for quite some time. 

A prime candidate for a successful surgery will also have good skin elasticity and muscle tone.

For those who are obese and whose body weight fluctuates, you may need to begin a diet and exercise regimen before your plastic surgeon feels it will be safe. 

While liposuction is a cosmetic surgery, it can sometimes benefit certain conditions. 

Some of these include : 

  • Gynecomastia
  • Lipomas: fatty tumors 
  • Lipodystrophy syndrome 
  • Lymphedema
  • Removing excess skin after extreme weight loss

Discuss the results you are trying to obtain with Dr. Emmett to decide if liposuction is safe for you and the correct procedure to help you reach your ideal body.

Types of liposuction 

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty 

High-frequency sound waves can help dissolve stubborn fat cells, which is why plastic surgeons may use this method in areas with tougher fat.

A metal rod is inserted into an incision to emit ultrasound energy to break down fat so it can be suctioned out.

Power-assisted liposuction 

This type of liposuction requires Dr. Emmett to use a special vibrating tipped cannula to break up fat cells.

This method is gentler and can make suctioning out unwanted fat cells from the body easier and cause less trauma to surrounding tissue.

Tumescent liposuction

During this procedure, a surgeon injects an adrenaline-lidocaine-saline solution into the treatment area. 

After your body has absorbed this solution, your surgeon will make small incisions and use a cannula to remove fat cells. 

Laser-assisted liposuction

As the name implies, a laser is used to destroy fat cells. Common brand names for this technique are SmartLipo and Slimlipo. 

A surgeon makes a small incision and inserts the laser into the fat tissue, which liquefies fat and ruptures fat cells, making them easy to remove.

How does liposuction work?

Dr. Emmett will generally begin your liposuction surgery by putting you into an unconscious state using twilight IV sedation. 

Twilight sedation is safer and better than general anesthesia because it has fewer risks and side effects. 

Once sedated, patients feel relaxed and calm. 

During surgery, Dr. Emmett will make one or more incisions and use her special tools to remove unwanted fat deposits. 

Depending on the area or how many areas you receive liposuction, your surgery will take between 1 and 3 hours.

After your surgery, the effects of sedation should only take an hour to wear off, which is much less than general anesthesia. 

You can go home to recover and heal the same day of your surgery.

How long does liposuction last?

The results you achieve from your liposuction surgery can be long-lasting if you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. 

The fat cells removed during your surgery will never return, but if you become inactive and eat poorly, more fat cells can grow and enlarge. 

In fact, some studies have shown that if you try to use liposuction as a weight loss method and stop taking care of your health, your fat can come back as soon as 6 months after surgery. 

To ensure the results of your liposuction surgery last a lifetime, it is up to you to stay healthy.  

To find out if liposuction is right for you schedule your consultation with Dr. Emmett at Emmett Plastic Surgery

Dr. Jennifer Emmett, M.D. is a double-board certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. 

While she is located in the Denver, Colorado, area, she accepts patients from all over the world. 

Her patient satisfaction rate is high, which you can see when you read her reviews and ratings and check out her before and after photos.

Dr. Emmett and her team use advanced technologies, have exceptional listening skills, and offers various financing options

In addition to liposuction, some of the services Emmett Plastic Surgery specializes in  include breast augmentation, breast reduction, Botox, facial surgery, Brazillian butt lift, MedSpa, and tummy tuck. 

Contact us to learn more about Dr. Emmett, her team, services, and financing options.

Schedule your free consultation when you are ready to enhance your body.

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