Is Lipo Right for Me?

by Bonillas, Robert

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures in the world. ⁽¹⁾ It’s a popular way to permanently remove excess, stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. This body contouring procedure helps patients achieve a more sculpted appearance. So if you’re frustrated by stubborn fat deposits on your hips, thighs, abdomen, buttocks, neck, chest, or arms, liposuction may be the answer. Although liposuction is frequently performed, and minimally invasive, it’s still a surgical procedure, so it’s important to have a good understanding of what it can and can’t do.
At Scottsdale Plastics, Dr. Robert G. Bonillas has performed numerous liposuction procedures, helping patients to achieve their body contouring goals. The results of these procedures have led patients to not only experience improvements in their appearance but also gain better quality of life, and enhanced self-esteem.

If you are interested in learning more about liposuction and how it may be able to help you achieve the body you desire, please give us a call at our Scottsdale office, at (480) 245-6380. You may also send us a message for a prompt response through our online contact form.

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Getting Rid of Excess Fat

Women and men store fat differently. And while women carry more fat in the lower body–the thighs, hips, and buttocks, men tend to carry excess fat primarily in the abdominal region. As a solution to these issues, liposuction leads to permanent removal of unevenly distributed fat cells. ⁽²⁾

When we gain weight, our fat cells increase in both size and volume. Liposuction can help reduce the volume of stubborn fat cells in regions resistant to diet and exercise. The resulting contour changes are generally permanent — as long as your weight remains stable.

Choosing Liposuction

A patient should approach any aesthetic procedure with enough knowledge and understanding that they are fully aware of both its purpose and its possible outcomes. And in the case of liposuction, all surgeons will stress that the procedure is not designed to help you lose weight, but rather change your body contour. It is worth remembering that liposuction isn’t a weight loss solution like surgeries such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. But it is a way to achieve a more refined silhouette.

Liposuction at Scottsdale Plastics

Tumescent liposuction is considered the gold standard fat removal technique for its short recovery time, minimal blood loss, enhanced results, and excellent safety profile. It uses a specially-prepared solution of diluted epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline. While saline causes fat cells to swell for simpler identification and removal, lidocaine numbs the treated area and relieves pain, and epinephrine causes blood vessels to constrict, which stems blood flow. ⁽³⁾

What is LocoLipo?

UAL, also known as VASER Liposuction, utilizes tumescent solution with the added assistance of ultrasound. A special probe is used to transmit ultrasound waves to subcutaneous fat cells. Heat from the ultrasonic energy emulsifies the fat for easier removal. The liquefied fat, once filtered, may also be used for fat transfer to other areas of the body.
UAL can be an effective treatment for fibrous areas of tissue, and of particular benefit for gynecomastia (enlarged breasts observed in male patients), the posterior trunk, and the upper abdomen. ⁽²⁾ UAL liposuction can also tighten skin. The heat from the procedure promotes collagen production and skin retraction as results become visible several months after treatment. Dr. Robert Bonillas refers to this type of liposuction as LocoLipo.

Benefits of Liposuction

LocoLipo is a safe, effective treatment with the following benefits:

Permanent removal of fat cells
More precise removal of excess fat deposits
Improved silhouette
Straightforward recovery
Boost in self-esteem
Better clothing fit

Get the most out of your surgery by reading more on the Scottsdale Plastics Beauty Talk blog!

Are You A Candidate for Liposuction?

Most eligible candidates for liposuction have unwanted pockets of fat in one or more areas of the body. You may be a good candidate if you are within 30% of your normal body mass index and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months. ⁽¹⁾ The best candidates for liposuction:

Are non-smokers
Are in good general health
Have good skin elasticity and muscle tone
Seek to remove smaller amounts of fat (less than 5 liters)

Who Should Not Get Liposuction?

Individuals with serious medical conditions may not be eligible for a liposuction procedure. In particular, patients with blood clotting disorders such as thrombophilia and severe cardiovascular disease should seek out alternative treatment. As a precautionary measure, as with the majority of aesthetic surgeries, pregnant women are ineligible for treatment.

Significant Weight Loss

Liposuction is not intended to be a substitute for weight loss surgery. To achieve massive weight loss, a candidate may wish to consider a bariatric procedure such as gastric bypass surgery to experience significant weight loss results.

Personal Consultation

Dr. Bonillas takes great pride in delivering life-changing results with liposuction. During your consultation, he will review your goals, motivations, and expectations for liposuction and then identify the best type of liposuction to meet your needs. He will:

Examine the areas for which you seek treatment
Note your skin quality and muscle tone
Review before and after photographs
Review your medical history including allergies, past surgeries, past and present health concerns, medications, vitamins, and supplements

If you are ready to take the next step toward slimmer contours in difficult areas of your body, please contact us at our Scottsdale office, at (480) 245-6380, or through our online inquiry.

Preparation

Dr. Bonillas may provide custom guidelines to follow so you can experience optimal results from your procedure. In your general preparation, you should:

Not eat or drink after midnight the evening before treatment
Stop smoking and using other products that contain nicotine
Review current medications, vitamins, and supplements with your doctor
Cease the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen)

Procedure

The procedure begins with the injection of tumescent fluid underneath the skin into the selected fat deposits. The solution will cause the fat cells to swell and become firm, making them easier to remove. Dr. Bonillas will make an incision in the treatment area, through which he will insert a thin metal cushion device called a cannula. VASER Liposuction uses a specialized cannula that emits ultrasound energy to aid the liquefaction and aspiration of fat cells.

Some of the solution will remain in the treatment region to continue to numb pain several days post-procedure–it will then be absorbed by the body.

Recovery

Patients experience some localized bruising and swelling for about two weeks after their procedure. Most find they can return to work around a week after their liposuction procedure, sometimes sooner. Dr. Bonillas may require you to wear a compression garment, which should be worn for the duration of the recovery period. Most patients will be able to see their results in as little as 1-3 months.

Liposuction Results

Swelling can take around six weeks to fully subside. Your body’s new contours can take three to four months–and sometimes up to six months–to take shape. For UAL only, the heat energy of the procedure can stimulate collagen production, which can also tighten the skin after several months as the treated region takes on its new contour. Although fat cells have been permanently removed, the remaining cells can still expand. Therefore, patients should maintain a health-conscious diet and exercise regularly to maintain their results.

Cost of Liposuction in Scottsdale

The cost of liposuction will vary for each patient based on their personal needs. We will be glad to provide a quote at your consultation, where we can learn more about your unique goals. You may set up a free consultation today through our Scottsdale office, by calling (480) 245-6380, or by completing our online form.

FAQ

What is ultrasound-assisted liposuction?

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is a technique that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to liquefy fat cells before they are removed from the body. This technique is particularly effective for areas of the body that are difficult to contour with traditional liposuction, such as the upper arms, back, and thighs. The use of ultrasound energy also makes it easier to remove larger volumes of fat, which can be particularly beneficial for patients who have experienced significant weight loss or have a larger amount of excess fat to remove.

What is the recovery time for liposuction?

Recovery time varies depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient’s individual healing process. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within a week or two, but more strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks.

References

Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. [Updated 2023 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
Dhami LD. Liposuction. Indian J Plast Surg. 2008 Oct;41(Suppl):S27-40. PMID: 20174540; PMCID: PMC2825130.
Venkataram J. Tumescent liposuction: A review. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2008;1(2):49. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.44159

Before and After Photos