How Do Liposuction and Emsculpt Differ?
Are you conscientious about diet and exercise, but finding that they’re not doing the trick when it comes to losing fat and/or toning muscle?
It’s a frustrating situation. As such, you may have started looking at different cosmetic procedures – both surgical and non-surgical – and are somewhat confused about what would be best for you.
Two of the most common options are liposuction and Emsculpt. Both can improve your body shape. But the procedures, overall focus, and timeline for your results differ. We’ll take a look.
How Liposuction Works
If it’s stubborn subcutaneous fat that you can’t seem to eliminate, then liposuction is often a top recommendation. It works by surgically removing fat cells.
Through tiny incisions in the areas you’d like to target, a board-certified plastic surgeon inserts a narrow tube called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a surgical vacuum or syringe. The surgeon manipulates the cannula to disrupt fat cells which are then suctioned out of the incision.
Although it is a surgical procedure, liposuction is a fairly simple and straightforward way to remove excess fat from almost any part of the body.
The Emsculpt Process
Emsculpt, on the other hand, is a non-surgical procedure. It’s not a magical cream or elixir though. Rather, it’s technology that uses non-invasive, high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to implode fat cells while simultaneously building muscle.
It’s like getting a major workout that will affect the muscles in a way that would be impossible for you to do voluntarily. For example, it’s as if you could do 20,000 sit-ups in the course of 30 minutes.
How does it work? You relax back onto a table while a small device is strapped over the area you’re targeting. Facilitators give you tips on ways to breathe and relax through the session.
Power from the device slowly increases and your muscles begin to contract, creating a very intense vibration that may feel strange at first. After a few contractions, the machine switches to a tapping action to break down the lactic acid your muscles produce during the contractions.
Many who seek Emsculpt procedures are focusing on improving their abs because it’s extremely effective for this area. Yet Emsculpt is also commonly used for the buttocks. There are even smaller paddles utilized to target the biceps, triceps, thighs, and calves.
Which Way to Go? The Differences Between Liposuction and Emsculpt
It depends on what you want to achieve. While both will give you a contoured appearance, liposuction does more to remove fat while Emsculpt focuses on toning muscle.
If you choose liposuction, you will be required to have some sort of anesthesia – whether general, local, or IV sedation. It will depend on the treated area. You should also plan to take at least several days off of work and will have activity restrictions in the weeks that follow. You will likely experience some initial swelling, bruising, and numbness as well.
With Emsculpt, there are no needles, no incisions, and no anesthesia. There is little to no risk of complications and you’ll likely feel some muscle soreness the next day – just as you would after an intense workout. You’ll need to have multiple treatments, however. And improvements appear two to six weeks after the last session and continue to improve for several weeks following the sessions.
It’s important to note that both of these treatments are most optimal if you’re in overall good health, physically active, have a BMI of 30 or under, and want to enhance where your regular exercise program has plateaued.
In other words, neither is meant to replace regular exercise and good eating habits. So don’t let those go!
Is It Time for a Change?
You’re already doing a great job eating well and exercising. But if they’re not giving you the contours you want, you could supplement them with liposuction and Emsculpt.
Contact us today to speak with our board-certified plastic surgeon who will review your aesthetic goals with you and advise you on the next best steps.
After all, you’re doing the work. You deserve amazing results!
Can You Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?
Can You Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?
Did you know that cellulite affects between 80% and 90% of adult women? And it’s often not the result of overeating or a lack of exercise.
Frequently referred to as ‘orange peel skin’ or ‘cottage cheese,’ cellulite does not discriminate. It can affect folks of all shapes and sizes.
While it may seem like you could just go on a diet, exercise vigorously and/or remove cellulite with liposuction, it’s not that simple. That’s because cellulite isn’t your regular garden variety fat.
What Is Cellulite?
While you’re likely to find cellulite on those who are already carrying excess fat, it shows up on people who are slim and fit as well. It’s more common after the age of 25, but can also affect teenagers.
Of course, eating a healthy diet and exercising are essential for feeling good and keeping the body in optimal condition. They do nothing to eliminate cellulite though. That’s because cellulite is essentially a form of fat that’s trapped in the sub dermal layer of the skin. One of the key ways it differs from regular fat is that the body is unable to process it as fuel.
Cellulite is the result of an interaction between the connective tissue in the layer below the surface of the skin, and the layer of fat beneath that. Strangely enough, women’s fat cells and connective tissues are arranged vertically so that when the fat cells protrude into the skin layer, it presents as cellulite. Men’s tissue has more of a criss-cross structure which seems to explain their lower risk of developing cellulite.
What Causes It?
There’s no one specific reason people, and especially women, develop cellulite. Some of it is just the genetic cards we’re all dealt. How fat is distributed beneath the skin, circulation, ethnicity, and rate of metabolism are all genetic factors.
Hormone are also likely players. Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are crucial in the production of cellulite.
Then, of course, there is aging and menopause. With less estrogen in the body, fat cells enlarge and blood flow to the connective tissues decreases. This less effective circulation results in lower collagen production. All of these factors join together to weaken the connective tissues, decrease elasticity in the skin, and increase the chance of cellulite developing.
Is It Possible to Remove Cellulite With Liposuction?
Not really.
Liposuction is great for getting rid of excess fat. During the procedure, fat cells are removed from the body to create a sleeker contour. The remaining cells, however, can push against the skin and threaten the structural integrity. Liposuction also doesn’t address the issue of those vertical connective tissues.
Many doctors and dermatologists may try topical treatments first to reduce the visibility of cellulite. Creams can tighten the skin to make it firmer and smoother, while adding moisture to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The effects typically don’t last long and the creams must be applied every day.
What is most effective is treatments that deliver laser energy beneath the surface of the skin. This thickens and strengthens the lower layers of skin to increase elasticity. Meanwhile, the thermal energy that’s developed releases the vertical bands so they don’t pull or pucker against the fat cells beneath.
The result?
Skin that lies smoother and flatter to eliminate dimpling. Voilà!
Are You At Battle With Cellulite?
Even if you can’t remove cellulite with liposuction, you CAN win the war against it with laser therapies.
Let’s get started.
Contact us today for your free consultation. And regain some of that smoother skin of your youth – just in time for summer.
Are You a Poor Candidate for Liposuction?
If you have diet- and exercise-resistant fat that just won’t go away, you may be considering liposuction. And why not? It’s a great solution.
Then again, it’s not ideal for everyone. (But what is?) There are a handful of reasons that a board-certified plastic surgeon might recommend avoiding this procedure.
If you’re now wondering whether YOU’RE a poor candidate for liposuction, we’ll look at four distinct reasons you may be steered in a different direction.
What Makes a Poor Candidate for Liposuction?
For a great many patients, liposuction is a godsend. And you may well be one of those people for whom this procedure would be seriously beneficial.
But you can expect any plastic surgeon worth his or her salt to address certain issues to first ensure that it’s a good option for you. If you have any of the following, liposuction may not be advised for you:
- Poor Skin Elasticity/History of Scarring
Let’s face it. The younger you are, the more elastic your skin is. Generally speaking. Since liposuction involves removing fat, the skin that was over that fat needs to spring back to deliver the contoured look. Otherwise, you’ll be left with loose skin that will make the area look deflated.
In addition, if you tend to develop raised scars (known as keloid scars) easily after an injury, you may be advised against liposuction. Especially if the incision site is in an obvious place. Patients who struggle with keloid scars are often genetically predisposed to them.
- Excess Fat
It might seem counterintuitive that you wouldn’t be able to get liposuction if you have a lot of excess fat. The reality is, there is such an increased risk of complications from high volume liposuctions, they’re not allowed in many states. This is based on studies of post-operative liposuction patients.
In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends the removal of no more than five liters of fat and fluid in a procedure. Thus, your plastic surgeon may ask you to get closer to your target weight before having liposuction.
- BMI That’s Too High or Low
There’s so much that your body mass index (BMI) doesn’t accurately tell a plastic surgeon. This is mostly because it doesn’t differentiate between muscle mass and body fat. Even so, it still does play a baseline diagnostic role in the surgeon’s decision to perform liposuction.
Similar to patients with excess fat, those with a high BMI are also likely to experience more complications. Because of this, the vast majority of surgeons won’t operate on patients with a BMI higher than 35, with some capping off at 30.
It’s not just those with a high BMI who are poor candidates for liposuction though. If you have an unusually low BMI, you may also be strongly discouraged from the procedure. This is because liposuction areas should have a pinch thickness of at least two centimeters to lessen the risk of leaving indentations or other regularities on the skin.
- Certain Underlying Conditions
If you’re considering liposuction but you have a medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc., you may not qualify for the procedure. Many medical conditions (and the medications that go along with them) can compromise healing from surgery. The surgeon will require medical clearance from your other doctors in these cases.
In addition, although it’s not a medical condition, you’ll need to disclose whether you’re a smoker or you use tobacco or other nicotine products. This is REALLY important because if you do, you’ll have a greater risk of delayed healing, scarring, necrosis, and infection. Therefore, you’ll need to quit tobacco/nicotine use at least one month before your procedure.
There Are Always Options
If you’re a poor candidate for liposuction right now, don’t despair. In some cases, you may be a good candidate in the future.
Even if you’re not though, there are a myriad of different plastic surgery avenues you and your surgeon can explore.
So contact us today to set up your free consultation. And take heart in knowing you’ll be under the absolute best care available.
Maintaining Liposuction Results
Do you have “problem areas” of your body where fat resides? And no matter how much you diet and exercise, it doesn’t seem to help? Join the club.
A big part of what makes liposuction so valuable is that you can target those problem areas. It’s not a quick fix though.
It’s important to understand that liposuction isn’t a weight loss procedure. Should you choose this procedure, there is some effort in maintaining liposuction results.
The Workings of Fat Cells
Did you know that the number of fat cells in your body doesn’t change much once you’re an adult? Thus, when you gain weight, it’s not an issue of producing too many fat cells. It’s actually the result of fat cells getting bigger. And they get bigger throughout the entire body.
It works the same way in reverse. So when you lose weight, it’s a matter of the fat cells getting smaller.
The problem is, they get smaller all over the body and not just in those problem areas where the fat cell count might be excessive (such as the lower belly and thighs). That means if you’re happy with the fullness of your breasts or hips or buttocks, you may lose some of that too.
In this case, there must be an external intervention to tackle those problem areas. With liposuction, a board-certified plastic surgeon can target them by suctioning out the excess fat cells in a specific pattern to reduce their number. Then the surgeon forms and contours the area.
As we stated above, that’s not the end of the story.
Maintaining Liposuction Results
After all the frustration of dieting and exercising to lose the fat from those problem areas, you’ll probably be quick to rejoice in its disappearance after liposuction. But you need to stay vigilant. Because removing fat cells doesn’t mean the existing cells won’t get larger again if you act irresponsibly.
Here are some simple tips:
- Drink More Water
For most of us, aging means a decrease in metabolism. Gaining weight just gets easier as we get older. So one of the best ways to keep your weight stable (or to lose weight) is by drinking plenty of water.
Drinking water before a meal can reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller so you’re not as likely to fill up on empty calories. It also helps you burn more calories while reducing your BMI, waist size, and body fat.
To help keep that body fat from sneaking back in, shoot for drinking around 64 ounces of water per day.
- Look At Your Current Diet
The fat cells that you removed during liposuction aren’t coming back. That’s the good news. But that doesn’t mean you can go hog wild and start loading up on junk food.
Because here’s the bad news: the remaining fat cells left behind will get larger if your diet is chock full of heavily caloric, sugary, high-fat, processed foods. And those cells may show up in all of the wrong places.
You don’t have to adhere to a macro-biotic diet though. Just be reasonable. Stick with lean foods with a lot of protein and fresh produce. Be sure you don’t skimp on fiber in your diet. And swap out frying foods for healthier cooking methods such as steaming, baking, boiling, and broiling.
- Ease Back Into Exercise
Liposuction is most popular among people who’ve already worked to lose weight and are now trying to address stubborn fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise. If this sounds like you, then you probably already have an exercise and workout routine. That puts you ahead of the game in terms of maintaining your liposuction results. Even so, you won’t be able to jump right back into it.
Within hours of your liposuction procedure, you’ll be encouraged to get out of bed and start moving around. Then in the weeks that follow, you’ll need to be highly attentive to what your body needs. This can take practice. Especially because you may be excited to show off your new body. Don’t rush it though.
Just know that usually within two weeks, you’ll be able to begin resistant training. You probably won’t be able to get back to strenuous aerobic activity until two weeks post procedure. And you’ll need to move slowly until you build back your strength and endurance once you do.
Once you’re back on track though, maintaining your exercise routine along with eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water is going to go miles toward staying slim after liposuction.
Rid Yourself of Stubborn Fat
If you’re exhausted and discouraged by fat that won’t disappear with diet and exercise, contact us.
Your commitment and determination makes you the perfect patient for liposuction. Furthermore, it bodes well for your ability in maintaining liposuction results.
So don’t wait another day. Let us help you get the results you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Ideal Body Areas for Liposuction
Fat is fat, right? Well, no.
Whether you’re attempting to lose weight or in your desired weight range, there’s a good chance you struggle with areas where stubborn fat just won’t disappear. And it doesn’t matter how much you diet and exercise.
If this sounds familiar, then liposuction could be the solution you’ve been seeking. And with so many available body areas for liposuction, there’s a good chance you’ll find a procedure that responds well for your problematic flab.
The Best Body Areas for Liposuction
Liposuction could, in theory, be done almost anywhere on the body. But areas where the skin is firmer and more toned are going to deliver the best post-operative results.
These most commonly include the following:
Abdomen
If you have a “muffin top,” you may not find it very appetizing. Most people would prefer to bid theirs farewell. It’s for this reason that the lower region of the abdomen is such a popular place for liposuction.
But the upper region of the abdomen offers up challenges as well. It’s hard to achieve a sleek and slim profile when there’s a stubborn layer of fat between your ribs and belly button. Liposuction can put the kibosh on it.
Thighs and Lower Legs
Whether you’re carrying saddlebags on your outer thighs, troubled by a “banana roll” on your posterior thighs, or want a noticeable inner thigh gap, liposuction can do the trick.
Though less common, liposuction can also be performed on the lower leg to offer a more proportionate and sleeker profile to the entire leg.
Hips
If you’re close to having that hourglass figure but can’t quite shake the fatty filler that keeps it from happening, liposuction can help. Liposuction on the hips removes excess fat deposits to deliver that well-defined figure. And as an added bonus, it can also improve the appearance of the buttocks.
Waist, Flanks, and Buttocks
Most of us don’t feel much love for those love handles that show up on the waist and flank. Unfortunately, they’re all too common. And diet and exercise do nothing to eliminate them. Liposuction is a viable solution in this case.
Meanwhile, if you’re not comfortable with the amount of junk in your trunk, liposuction to the buttocks can give you a more proportionate appearance.
Upper Arms
Many women are embarrassed by jiggly upper arms as they get older. But this excess skin doesn’t just plague women.
Whatever the case, liposuction can tackle this issue by smoothing and tightening this problem area to define and rejuvenate the arms.
Chest and Back
More often than not, liposuction to the chest (independent of breast augmentation) is performed on men. Particularly those struggling with gynecomastia.
Liposuction to the back, however, is more common for women. So if you’re embarrassed by unsightly “bra rolls,” you can address them through liposuction for a more streamlined and firmer appearance.
Neck
Finally, excess neck fat doesn’t always render the cutest little baby face. If you’re longing for a more defined contour, then liposuction on the neck could be a great choice.
Interested in Liposuction?
With so many available body areas for liposuction, there’s bound to be a procedure to help you with stubborn excess fat.
So if you’re curious about how liposuction could help you, contact us today. You’ll be amazed at the vast number of possibilities.
Is Tingling After Liposuction Normal?
Liposuction is quickly gaining ground as one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. In 2020 alone, there were over 210,000 liposuction procedures performed in the United States by plastic surgeons.
Patients feel a boost in their confidence and love the relative simplicity and ease of the liposuction procedure. Still, it’s important to take the time to know what to expect during recovery.
For patients who don’t take this step, they’re not usually too surprised when they encounter some swelling or pain. But it can be alarming to experience numbness or tingling after liposuction.
Is Tingling After Liposuction Normal?
The discomfort, bruising, and swelling that come with liposuction typically last about two weeks. If even that long. But any tingling or numbness experienced after liposuction can go on for longer.
Don’t worry though!
Numbness and tingling at the incision site after liposuction is completely normal. If fact, it’s not an uncommon outcome for all surgical procedures. Any time there is cutting through body tissues, it can impact the nerves that provide feeling in that area. It simply takes time for those nerves to heal.
This doesn’t mean that everyone will experience numbness or tingling. But if you do, there’s no need to worry. You’ll typically notice the tingling subsides with time and by properly following proper post-op protocol.
Speaking of which…
Make the Most of Your Recovery
Sure, it would be great if you could just bypass the whole recovery process altogether. Obviously, that isn’t going to happen. But you’ll also want to resist the urge to rush your recovery.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and sleep in the weeks following your surgery to help your body heal. This will expedite the process. In addition, follow these three important steps:
- Embrace Help
The truth is, you’re going to need help when it comes to errands, lifting things, taking care of the kids, cleaning the house, etc. after liposuction surgery.
So let go of your pride and reach out to a friend or family member who can help you with certain activities. This falls in line with resting and giving your body a break. Pushing yourself too hard is only going to slow your healing.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
If there were ever a time to stress the importance of drinking fluids, it’s after surgery. Staying hydrated is essential to your recovery. So drink plenty of water, herbal tea, and broth and avoid sugary juices and sodas that can increase inflammation.
In addition to staying hydrated, you’ll need proper nutrition for healing. Fruits and veggies that are high in water content (such as watermelon and cucumbers) will boost your hydration efforts. You may want to prep healthy meals with lots of fruits, veggies, and lean protein ahead of your surgery. That way, you won’t need to cook. And just as important as eating healthy is eating regularly. Post-surgery is not the time to skip meals.
- Engage in Light Movement
Finally, you’ll need to avoid regular exercise for a while. But when your physician gives you the go-ahead, you can get out and start taking short walks. Light movement can help to also speed up your body’s recovery. Just be sure to take it easy. Save the speed walking for later.
Boost Your Self-Esteem with Liposuction
Now that you understand there will be some short-lived discomfort, swelling, and possibly tingling after liposuction, you may be ready to explore your options.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our plastic surgeons.
A sleek and more contoured appearance with be well worth your recovery efforts.
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The Details on High Volume and Debulking Liposuction
If you’re a naturally large person, you may find it far too easy to put on weight and far too difficult to take it off.
You may have even considered getting liposuction, but feel that it may not make much of a difference for you.
Fortunately, there is now high volume and debulking liposuction that was created specifically for larger people whose aesthetic goal is a noticeable reduction in size.
High Volume Liposuction
Not all liposuction is created equal.
In traditional liposuction, around two liters of fat is removed. For someone who is quite large, removing small and localized fat deposits isn’t going to make much of a difference.
This is why high volume liposuction was developed.
As far as how much fat is removed, each state has different laws and recommended limits of fat removal. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), however, recommends no more than 5 liters of liposuction aspirate, or fat, be removed in a surgery at one time.
Similar to traditional liposuction, high volume liposuction is performed on multiple areas of the body to enhance natural curves and proportions.
It is safely performed in an operating room with proper anesthesia from a board-certified anesthesiologist and in an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) facility. Fluid monitoring, urine output, blood pressure and EKG monitoring, temperature control, and the use of appropriate medications contribute to the safety of this procedure.
Even so, high volume liposuction should be performed only by a board-certified plastic surgeon with an extensive and meticulous skillset and a keen eye for body shape to deliver safe and consistent results.
High volume liposuction can also be performed in combination with abdominoplasty (better known as a tummy tuck) and breast surgery.
So Then What Is Debulking Liposuction?
During procedures such as brachioplasty, thighplasty, and abdominoplasty there is often the need for skin excision, or removal.
For larger patients who are planning surgery which requires skin excision, debulking liposuction is often recommended 6-12 months previous to the procedure. This allows for proper healing time.
Debulking liposuction permanently removes resistant fat cells from trouble areas. As such, skin surgeries result in a nicer aesthetic outcome when debulked prior to removal.
In addition to preparing them for skin excision, this procedure is also performed on obese patients to improve or jumpstart their journey to healthier choices and to improve exercise capability.
Before the Procedure
Preop labs are performed to optimize electrolyte balance and ensure an adequate complete blood count (CBC). Patients with comorbidities may need overnight monitoring of vital signs, fluid shifts, and urine output.
Subcutaneous heparin or intraoperative steroids are often used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and postoperative edema, respectively.
Some patients may require pre-op cardiovascular clearance and possibly a stress echocardiogram to ensure stress of large volume removal will be tolerated.
After the Procedure
Blood loss is minimized by using tumescent liposuction techniques. Anticoagulant therapy is often used to prevent postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
In extreme cases of fat removal, patients may be admitted to the ICU. This is for the purpose of monitoring cardiac output with continuous monitoring and possible use of central lines, with or without Swan Ganz monitoring.
Along with monitoring, intraoperative use of warming blankets and sequential compression devices are used to promote blood flow and normal coagulability.
Postoperative blood transfusions may be needed as well.
Any swelling after the surgery may be hastened by the use of lymphatic massages and wearing appropriate body garments.
Could High Volume and Debulking Liposuction Help You?
If you’re ready to lighten up a bit and think that high volume and debulking liposuction might be right for you, now is the time.
Many patients find that they are able to drop several clothing sizes after undergoing this highly effective procedure. So contact us today to speak with our surgeons and find out about your options.
Liposuction Before After
