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For this type of Aesthetic surgery we are proud to have in our team Dr. Francis Otteni, MD the pioneer of Liposuction.
In 1981, Dr. Otteni has published the very first articles on liposuction and lipofilling which has revolutionized the fat removal and the tissue augmentation procedures. Also as a well known name on liposuction he has later on started to improve his liposuction results by means of abdominoplasties, thightoplasties and brachioplasties. He created a new and innovative technique of Liposuction combined with Skin tightening which has improved the body sculpture surgery. Since 2001, he has been invited all over the world to teach his technique.
Liposuction by the Tumescent technique gives the safety and comfort of local anesthesia while microcannulas provide smooth precise results.
Facial and body sculpting by small volume tumescent
liposuction is a dream come true for many of our patients at Dr.
Al Rustom's Skin and Laser Clinic. Localized accumulations of fat, which are often genetically determined, are usually resistant to exercise and dieting. These can be removed permanently by liposuction surgery never to return. The following will provide you with basic information about these methods. We believe that the tumescent with basic information about these methods. We believe that the tumescent technique provides an unparalleled level of safety and precision for liposuction.
What is tumescent liposuction?
 Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body to improve its shape and contours. A rigid tube that looks somewhat like a straw is inserted through tiny incisions in the skin. The tube is connected to a suction pump and by using a back and forth motion the unwanted fat is vacuumed out. The tumescent technique was developed by Dr. Jeffery Klein in the 1980’s as a way to make the procedure much safer.
Large amounts of fluid containing dilute lidocaine (for local anesthesia) and epinephrine (to greatly reduce bleeding) are gently pumped into a fatty layer through tiny needle holes in the skin until it is swollen or tumescent. The swelling of the fatty layer makes it easier to remove the unwanted fat, greatly reduces bleeding and results in numbness that lasts up to 24 hours. This numbness allows the procedure to be done without the need for general anesthesia and greatly reduces postoperative discomfort. Usually light oral sedation is used to make the injection of the fluid comfortable.
What is microcannula liposuction?
Microcannula technique is liposuction performed
using very tiny cannulas (the tubes or "straws" used to extract the
unwanted fat cells). This technique was developed by dermatologic
cosmetic surgeons in conjunction with the tumescent technique of
local anesthesia. Since liposuction is quite comfortable under
tumescent local anesthesia and there is almost no bleeding,
liposuction can proceed slowly and carefully.
In contrast,
most plastic surgeons perform liposuction under general anesthesia
or intravenous sedation anesthesia. This requires working rapidly
because of the risks of anesthesia. In addition, bleeding can be
significant without careful and complete tumescent infiltration. So
they most often use larger cannulas, typically 4 to 5 millimeters or
larger (about the size of your little finger).
By using very tiny
microcannulas – typically about the size of a thermometer – there
are several advantages: First, the liposuction can be performed
through very tiny needle access holes. These heal quickly, and are
essentially invisible when healed. The microcannulas make for a more
gentle procedure and produces the most smooth and even result
possible. With microcannulas, it is easier to control the progress
of the procedure and minimize the risk of taking too much fat out of
an area. This reduces the chance of ripples, irregularities or
uneven results. In addition, the tiny channels from microcannulas
contract very well allowing the skin to contract and drape well
after the procedure.
Will liposuction work for me?
Liposuction works
best for people who have localized areas of fat that do not respond
to diet and exercise. You need to be in good health and reasonable
expectations. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss but
there is no definite age limit or weight limit for liposuction. It
is important to have realistic expectations about what liposuction
will do for you. It works best to improve your shape: it changes
your "inches" but does not change your "pounds". For example,
removing an amount of fat equivalent to a half-pound of butter from
each outer thigh of a woman’s saddlebag areas, or from a man’s love
handles, will result in a dramatic improvement in appearance of
these areas but it does not significantly change the person’s
weight.
Dimples, ripples, and cellulite may remain unchanged
or be only moderately improved with liposuction. Liposuction sculpts
bulging areas into more attractive contours. During your
consultation visit before surgery, Dr. Al Rustom will discuss
the procedure with you and relate what you can realistically expect.
Possible complications, risks, alternative treatments as well as the
benefits will be fully discussed. Before and after photographs are
usually taken to help evaluate the amount of improvement.
Facts about fat
Body fat on an adult tends to increase gradually
over the years. After 30 years of age an individual tends to add fat
according to a genetically predetermined pattern. This fat pattern
is often resistant to change by diet and exercise. Examples of this
are the pouches of fat beside the chin called jowls, the "love
handles" above the hips on men, and the "saddle bag" accumulations
of fat on some women’s upper thighs. For many people, liposuction is
the only realistic means of changing the body’s silhouette. In
effect, liposuction is the equivalent of being able to focus the
effects of dieting to specific areas of the body.
Which areas can be treated?
At Dr. Al Rustom's Skin and Laser Clinic we
most often treat fat accumulations in the lower face (including the
jowls, cheeks, and chin areas) and the neck. The most frequent body
areas treated in women include: stomach, thighs, hips, "saddle
bags", buttocks, neck, and the knees. For men: it is most often the
"love handles", abdomen, breasts and the neck and chin.
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Does the fat stay away permanently?
Yes it does. Fat cells removed by liposuction do not
grow back. You have all the fat cells you are going to make in your
life by the end of puberty. When you gain weight, you expand fat
cells that you already have. Tumescent liposuction permanently
removes fat cells. If you gain weight after liposuction, it will go
to the fat cells remaining in your body in areas where you have not
had liposuction rather than ballooning out those old troublesome
areas.
Will I need a second or follow-up procedure?
Usually one procedure is all that is needed for a
treatment area. A few patients may benefit from a fine-tuning
liposuction procedure 6 months to 1 year later. Virtually no blood
loss and no need for transfusions
What about the blood loss?
As a result of the blood vessel constriction from
the epinephrine in the anesthetic solution, there is very minimal
bleeding during and after surgery. There is no need for blood
transfusions.
What about the safety of liposuction?
The greatest dangers of traditional liposuction
surgeries have been shown to be related to 3 factors: The risks
associated with general anesthesia and/or deep IV sedation. The
risks associated with blood loss and fluid replacement. The risks
associated with excessive liposuction (megaliposuction). These major
risks are reduced or eliminated by adhering to the tumescent
technique.
The drugs used for general anesthesia are
relatively more dangerous than those used for local anesthesia. The
risks associated with these medicines including respiratory arrest
and allergic reactions to them are eliminated by not using them.
Local anesthesia is considerably safer. And tumescent liposuction
provides better comfort. (Usually only plain Tylenol is needed
during healing.)
The risks associated with substantial blood
loss during traditional liposuction are eliminated by using the
tumescent technique. The amount of fat removed in any one surgery
needs to be strictly limited for safety’s sake. At Dr. Al
Rustom's Skin and Laser Clinic we limit the fat removed to
moderate amounts and adhere to the guidelines for tumescent
liposuction established by the American Society for Dermatologic
Surgery. Safety is our first priority.
How is the skin affected?
Because the microcannulas are so small, they make
very tiny tunnels through the fat. This leaves many normal fibrous
connections between the skin and the underlying tissue. These
fibrous connections retract during healing and maintain the skin in
its natural position. After liposuction with the tumescent technique
one does not have to worry about the excessive folds of skin in the
area. Many patients who would have to have a tummy tuck with
previous methods, can now have very good results simply through
liposuction. This is also true in the neck area, as long as
pre-existing skin laxity is not excessive.
Liposuction is not appropriate for everyone. You
will receive full information about tumescent liposuction, including
possible risks and limitations, and how it might help you, at your
consultation before scheduling any treatment.
We apologize for not showing photos of the body for ethical reasons. You may refer to the following website for before and after photos: www.plasticsurgery.org
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