LIPOSUCTION

Many people worldwide choose Liposuction to remedy problem areas and enhance their body image. In Corpus Christi, Texas, Dr. Herve` Gentile uses both the Laser and the Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction with the tumescent technique which has a fast recovery time and achieves beautifully sculpted results. This liquid will also help to provide pain relief after the procedure and decrease the need for additional pain medication.  Our patients have seen a noticeable difference right after surgery and most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few days.


The Different Liposuction Techniques--

There are many ways to do liposuction, for example liposuction can be accomplished painlessly either totally by local anesthesia or with general anesthesia. In the realm of liposuction, local anesthesia or maximum speed and maximum volume of aspirate  are not criteria for excellence. Ultimately, excellence is measured in terms of patient happiness, which is a function of safety, patient comfort, finesse, and quality of results. Since many doctors perform Liposuction it is important for you to know and distinguish between surgeons who board certified in Plastic Surgery and all the others who are not. The surgeon you choose coupled with the surgeon's technique, experience and attitude toward safety will ultimately determine the results you will achieve.

Definitions--

1. Liposuction:     The procedure in which fat is removed by aspiration via cannula (a tube of different sizes) inserted through a tiny incision or via a tiny optical fiber ( in the case of the Laser ) .

2. Tumescent, Wet and Superwet Liposuction:     Liposuction performed following the injection of large amounts of diluted numbing medication in the fat compartments underneath the skin.  This makes the use of Ultrasound and Laser Assisted Liposuction  possible and also decreases bleeding. The liquid enlarges ("tumesces") the compartments of fat, which allows the liposuction cannula or the laser optical fiber to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed. The ultrasound probe breaks down the fat, which is then suctioned.

3. Liposculpture:     The procedure in which fat is removed with a microcannula usually aspirated through a syringe or a suction device following infiltration with tumescent fluid.  In liposculpture the incisions are smaller.  It enhances the detail of your body by literally sculpturing it.

4.  Laser Liposuction (Lipolysis):     Laser liposuction is a new and less invasive way to perform liposuction in which a fiber optic laser melts the fat cells (lipolysis - lipo=fat, lysis=melt) and tightens the skin. The fat is then left in your body to reabsorb.  It is advertised as producing less bruising, minimal discomfort  and safer since it is performed under local anesthesia.  It is the least invasive of all liposuction procedures. It is not superior to ultrasound liposculpture but both complement each other as both dissolve the fat cells, one using sound waves and the other light.  The advantage of laser lipolysis are:   1.  it is performed with you awake and you may go back to work right away;   2. the incisions are very tiny as the laser fiber optic is only 1 mm in diameter and require no stitches;  3. lipolysis can be performed closer to the skin resulting in better skin contraction. Dr. Herve Gentile uses Laser lipolysis for treating the smaller areas you dislike and reserves  ultrasound-assisted liposuction for the larger cases requiring significant volume removal. Excellent candidates are also those people who need refinements to obtain their desired body shape. But, remember that Laser assisted liposuction is only an adjunct to conventional liposuction techniques and it is not a subsititue for them in everybody. 

6. Internal Ultrasound Liposuction:     The ultrasound probe is placed internally underneath the skin though very small incisions and the fat is melted away and then suctioned.  This is the preferred method used by Dr. Herve` Gentile and although it can be performed with local anesthesia, the best sculpting results are obtained when it is performed under general anesthesia.  Fluid infiltration using the wet/superwet technique helps the formation of gas bubbles resulting in fragmentation of the fat cell which is later suctioned with microcannulas.  What is interesting is that this ultrasonic energy does not affect the muscle, bone or nerves but only the fat cell. It also probably facilitates skin tightening.

7.  External Ultrasound Liposuction:     A technology which places the ultrasound probe on top of the skin after injection of the tumescent fluid.  It facilitates liposculpting and decreases bleeding.  An additional advantage is that is causes less bruising and pain and possibly enhances the result.  It is performed under local anesthesia and it is not as popular and effective as internal ultrasound liposuction and today it is supplanted by the Laser Lipolysis as both are non-invasive. The fat is supposedly eliminated by your body as in laser lipolysis.  Long-term effects are not proven but may be a benefit in smoothing contour irregularities and softening the firmness in the immediate post-operative period following liposuction.  Dr. Herve` Gentile frequently uses it after internal ultrasound liposuction for this reason.

9. Endodermologie:     A machine designed to squeeze the skin and fat thereby temporarily improving the cellulite.  Multiple treatments are necessary. It is no longer used today.

 The "Art of Liposuction":   

Liposuction is a medium of artistic expression that displays itself in (1)  application of scientific knowledge, (2) the production of what is beautiful, (3) a perfection of workmanship, (4) a perpetual quest for improvement in technique, (5) a skill attained through clinical experience,  (6) avoiding to expose patients to unnecessary dangers as artistry and safety are related and above all (7) making people feel happy about what they see in the mirror,

Body fat and Liposuction--

No matter how much exercise you do, certain areas of fat in your body remain.  These areas such as the saddlebags in women and the love handles in men are resistant to dieting as well as strenuous exercising.  Genetically we are all provided with a certain number of fat cells for storage of energy.  Fat cells have the capability of increasing or decreasing in size in direct relation to your weight gain or loss.  This in turn is related to your caloric intake and consumption.  The fat cells that are removed with liposuction are permanently removed and therefore never come back.  Since liposuction does not remove skin, the skin must contract and tighten and if you have either poor skin elasticity, skin excess or skin looseness this will not occur.  Liposuction results are quite often spectacular if performed on selected persons, but no matter how good your skin is, it is not realistic to expect liposuction to dramatically change your life.  Liposuction is a great operation for removing undesirable fat from such areas of your body as the abdomen, breast, hips, thighs, buttocks, flanks, knees, neck, upper arms, back and in certain selected patients to perform etching of their abdominal muscles.

Procedure--

The procedure is performed in our accredited office surgical suite and takes between 1-4 hours depending how many areas need treatment.  This operation will give excellent results if performed on the right patient since there is no ideal candidate.  The superwet/wet technique is almost always used by Dr. Herve` Gentile in combination with internal and/or external ultrasound assisted liposculpture or laser liposuction.  The surgery requires very small incisions, usually less than a quarter of an inch, and after a tight elastic compression garment is applied for a few weeks to prevent excessive swelling, bleeding and bruising.  More importantly this will also help in shaping the suctioned areas as well as shrinking the extra skin.

Postoperative--

 You can experience minimal discomfort or some pain which can be controlled by  medication.  Swelling subsides in weeks.  If you develop a lot of hardness or firmness, you will have a few external ultrasound treatments to soften the area, thereby enhancing your final result.  Some patients also have numbness which is usually temporary.  Although you will notice the results quickly after surgery, your final result will not appear for several months.  Everybody will think you lost weight, but nobody knows unless you tell.  Your results may be dramatic as your saddlebags, love handles and buffalo hump in the back disappears, or your legs and hips look shapelier and thinner, but liposuction is not a substitute for exercise and weight loss.  To maintain your figure, if you are not at near ideal weight, you will need a proper diet and a moderate exercise program.  Remember that liposuction, diet and exercise complement themselves.

 
Liposuction Complications--

The tumescent technique for liposuction is unquestionably the safest form of liposuction. When tumescent liposuction is done correctly, it is a very safe procedure.

Most of the liposuction complications are often the direct result of lack of caution, poor judgment, over confidence or inexperience. Risks of Liposuction must be well understood by all prospective liposuction patients. In order to minimize the risk of liposuction, the patient must be aware of the following facts: