Los Angeles, Beverly Hills-based Cosmetic Surgeon – Offering Ultrasonic Liposuction and Body Contouring Procedures

Liposuction, or body contouring, has been in existence since at least the early 1980s and currently involves a variety of techniques. Traditional suction-assisted lipectomy involves the use of small tubes (cannulae) attached to a vacuum aspirator to remove excess fat. Other current commonly used techniques include tumescent liposuction and ultrasound-assisted ( ultrasonic) liposuction. Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of dilute local anesthesia with adrenaline into the tissues to be removed. This solution decreases discomfort and may decrease blood loss during the procedure. This is a common technique that Dr. Jay Orringer has routinely used for years at his Los Angeles practice. Ultrasonic liposuction uses cannulae that emit ultrasound waves to help break up the excess fat. It is a particularly useful body contouring technique for the flanks, hips, upper abdomen, and enlarged male breasts — and in the setting of previous body contouring where scar tissue can make traditional liposuction less effective.

The Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is particularly effective for removing localized areas of fat. It is not a weight reduction procedure, nor a treatment for generalized obesity. In addition, it is not a substitute for healthful eating and exercise. Liposuction will not remove fat from deep areas such as the inner abdomen, where only weight reduction will decrease the amount of fat. If you gain weight after body contouring, because of fewer fat cells in the treated areas, you will tend to gain relatively more weight in other areas. Optimal results following liposuction will be obtained in the individual who exercises regularly and eats wisely.

The Consultation

Dr. Orringer will typically spend at least an hour reviewing your medical history and goals at our Beverly Hills office when discussing your eligibility for liposuction or other body contouring procedures. The examination will evaluate your current body contour, fat deposits, muscle and skin tone, and skeletal changes. Every individual has specific goals and unique anatomical considerations. The detailed consultation will address these important issues.

The Surgery

Prior to surgery, Dr. Orringer will mark the areas to be treated while you are in an upright position. This “topographical map” will assist with the body contouring procedure, which is performed at the state-of-the-art Surgery Center of Santa Monica. This modern accredited facility is located two blocks north of Saint John’s Hospital in the Los Angeles area.

Prior to both tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction, anesthesia is administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Dr. Orringer will infuse the tumescent local anesthesia solution before the actual body contouring begins. A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer sedation or general anesthesia as well, depending upon the situation. Dr. Orringer uses small cannulae and ultrasonic liposuction when appropriate, in an effort to decrease surface irregularities. Traditional liposuction with small cannulae frequently follows the initial liposuction begun with ultrasound-assisted liposuction. At the completion of the procedure, a support garment will be applied. During your preoperative visit to our Beverly Hills office, a customized booklet that further discusses the liposuction procedure, its risks, and what to do before and after body contouring surgery will be provided for you.

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The Recovery

Many patients will go home the same day, with a responsible adult staying with them that evening. It may be recommended that larger-volume liposuction patients be cared for overnight at Serenity, a warm, comfortable facility set up to meet the needs of postoperative plastic surgery patients. Ambulation is encouraged the night of surgery. Some drainage is normal for the first 24 hours, with the initial garment usually replaced on day two after surgery. (Dr. Orringer will see you one to two days following surgery at his Beverly Hills office.) You may shower two days after liposuction surgery, as well.

Most normal exercise activities may be resumed by day 10 to14. However, it is recommended that the support garment be worn to decrease swelling and to assist with body contouring for at least the first postoperative month, except when showering. Massage of treated areas may soften irregularities during the first six to eight weeks. Liposuction patients generally return to sedentary work in three to five days, while more strenuous work may require one to two weeks of healing. Driving should not be done until oral narcotics are no longer required for pain control. Much of the bruising and swelling usually resolves within three weeks of liposuction surgery. However, it can take at least three months for the swelling to completely resolve and for the final contour to be seen.

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What are some of the particular concerns regarding liposuction?

Liposuction is not a weight reduction plan but rather a means of reducing localized fat. This must be understood. In addition, while localized areas of fat are reduced, cellulite-like deformities are not typically reduced with liposuction and can actually be worsened.

While most patients are quite pleased with the results of this popular procedure, major risks are involved that must be considered. Blood or fat clots in the legs and to the lungs and even loss of life have occurred with liposuction. It is for this reason that Dr. Orringer uses pneumatic air pumps on the legs and monitoring by a board-certified anesthesiologist throughout the procedure. Skin tone plays a large role in the quality of the result. If skin tone is poor, the appearance of skin sagging or wrinkling may be noted. For this reason, Dr. Orringer may recommend a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or lower body lift procedure when you come to our Beverly Hills office rather than liposuction alone.

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Making the Decision

Every surgical procedure has inherent benefits, risks and limitations. Dr. Orringer wants you to feel comfortable asking any and every question that you may have at your initial consultation, preoperative visit or at any time that he can assist you. Contact our Beverly Hills, Los Angeles office today if you think that ultrasonic or standard liposuction may help you achieve your body contouring goals.

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