Liposuction

Suction-assisted lipectomy, more commonly known as liposuction, is a highly effective technique used to sculpt and improve your body contour. It is utilized to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body with minimal scarring. These areas may include the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, or back. For men, common areas include the flanks (love handles), the abdomen, the back, or enlarged male breasts (a condition known as gynecomastia). Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction, but a method of removing unwanted localized fat deposits that do not respond to traditional weight loss methods.

The best candidates for liposuction are people at a healthy weight with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in defined areas. You should be physically and psychologically healthy, and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

The Procedure

Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. However, the local anesthesia is usually used along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed during the procedure. Some patients may require general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed.

Recontouring of the body is achieved by removing fat deposits using a cannula (hollow tube) and a suction device. The cannula is inserted through strategically placed small incisions and the fat cells that lie deep beneath the skin surface are removed. The length of the procedure varies (usually 1-4 hours) based on your body habitus and the areas that are to be treated.

For more information about liposuction in Irvine California contact us today. Liposuction surgeon Dr. Lawton sees patients from Orange County, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and other areas across Southern California.