Liposuction
Fat tissue is essential for storing energy on the body, but it can be a nuisance when it appears in certain areas. Not all fat deposits respond to diet and exercise, making it difficult to remove without surgical intervention. Dr. John Anastasatos is a top plastic surgeon with a stellar reputation for his innovative approach to shaping the body and face. Liposuction to remove fatty tissue from the face and body is available at his clinics in Athens, Greece, and Beverly Hills, CA.
Fat cells exist between the skin and muscle, covering most of the body. Genetics, changes in the body, weight gain and medical conditions can all impact where fat is stored. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes not just the fat, but groups of fat cells from targeted areas. Once removed, fat cells do not regenerate. While fat can be stored in other fat cells in the body, it will not be in the same cells once liposuction is performed.
Liposuction has been used for over fifty years to remove fat from the body. However, the methods have dramatically evolved and improved. Dr. Anastasatos uses both tumescent and laser liposuction, or “lipo,” to perform body sculpting, tummy tucks and facial/neck/chin reductions. These methods offer safe and effective fat removal with a quick recovery.
Tumescent Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction is not a weight loss option but a method to sculpt or contour the body. The best candidates for liposuction are those who are healthy, have good skin laxity and are close to their desired weight. Liposculpting involves removing areas of targeted fat that are resistant to weight loss. Tumescent liposuction is the most effective option for removing larger qualities of fat from the abdomen, thighs, hips, back or other more expansive areas.
Tumescent liposuction is performed by first numbing the targeted area with local anesthesia, then injecting a combination of lidocaine and epinephrine into the fatty tissue. This restricts the capillaries to reduce blood flow, allowing for more fat to be removed with less blood loss. A medical vacuum is inserted through a small incision to remove the targeted fat deposits.
Laser Liposuction
Another option for removing smaller areas of fat deposits is laser liposuction. This method is less invasive than tumescent, but less fat can be removed in a session. It is designed for smaller areas that need reduction, usually areas like a double chin or small fat deposits near the knee. This method is also performed with local anesthesia, with a tiny incision to allow a laser device under the skin to connect with the targeted fat deposit. Laser energy is used to liquify the fat, then a cannula is inserted to withdraw the fat from under the skin.
Both tumescent and laser liposuction have quick recovery times. The area may be slightly swollen and bruised as it heals, but this dissipates over the next few weeks. While the fat is immediately removed, it can require several weeks or longer for the final results to be realized.
Is Liposuction Right for You?
If you have a double chin, a “muffin top” or saddlebags on your thighs that are resistant to fat loss, liposuction may be the solution. It offers a permanent solution to reduce problem areas that refuse to shrink with other methods of weight or fat loss. You should be healthy, a non-smoker and height-weight proportionate if you are considering liposuction.
To learn more about the different liposuction options and if it is right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. John Anastasatos. We have clinics in Athens, Greece, and Beverly Hills, CA, that offer the most advanced liposuction and body contouring options.