Tumescent Liposuction does not remove dimples, ripples, cellulite or stretch marks. It is also not a weight loss technique. It is for people who have stubborn protrusions of fat in specific areas that don’t respond to diet or exercise, but who otherwise have stable body weight, are in good health and are generally less than 30 pounds overweight.

Dr. Jochen will be happy to consult with you about whether liposuction is an appropriate body sculpting option for you.

Liposuction can remove fat from various areas of the body including:

• Abdomen
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Thighs
• Upper Arms
• Neckline and under-chin area

If Dr. Jochen suspects that your skin lacks the elasticity to tighten down over a smaller body area after the procedure, you may not be a good candidate.

Before the procedure, Dr. Jochen will want to discuss your medical history and what you should expect from the surgery. Please tell him about any medications or herbs you’re taking and any medical conditions you have, as these may affect the success of your procedure.

Anesthesia and pain medications used during and after the procedure can make you groggy and may take several hours to wear off, so make advance arrangements for transportation home from our clinic.

Before Liposuction surgery, you may also need to:

Fast. (Stop eating for a few days) How long you need to avoid food depends on when you’re having surgery. Your docto,r can give you specific advice, but if the procedure is early in the morning, plan on fasting after midnight the night before. If your procedure is later in the day, you may be able to have a small breakfast. If you’re only having tumescent liposuction with local anesthesia, you don’t need to fast.

Stop smoking. Avoid smoking for eight weeks before the procedure. Smoking may increase your risk of blood clots, which can block blood flow and – if clots reach your lungs or brain – cause stroke or death.

Stop taking certain medications. Some drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), promote bleeding. Avoid these drugs during the week before surgery. However, if you take a blood-thinning medication for a medical reason, don’t stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor, as suddenly stopping such medications could lead to a serious complication, such as a blood clot.

When you arrive for surgery, we will take photographs of the area Dr. Jochen will work on, so that before-and-after photos are later available. Before surgery, the doctor may mark circles and lines on the areas of your body to undergo liposuction.

After the procedure, you will be asked to wear tight compression garments, which help reduce swelling. Dr. Jochen may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

About four weeks after the procedure, when most of the swelling has subsided, the area in which fat was removed should look less bulky. Within three to six months, swelling and temporary irregularities settle down and the area should have its new leaner, tighter appearance.

Liposuction isn’t an overall weight-loss method. If you’re generally overweight – rather than having a stubborn belly that won’t go away even though you’re otherwise fit, for example – you’re better off losing the weight through diet and exercise.

What kind of people opt for tumescent liposuction?

Liposculpture is for those who want to reward themselves with a streamlined, more flattering appearance. The benefits are especially advantageous for:

• People who are in shape but have areas on their bodies that are resistant to diet and exercise.
• Women who have had children and are concerned about the accumulations of fat that childbearing brings.
• Men who have developed love handles above the hips, or accumulations of fat over the abdomen or breast area. These may be the result of hereditary or other factors unrelated to overall fitness.
• Those who have been significantly overweight and who have lost weight or are nearing their fitness goals, but still have problems with local stubborn fat accumulations.
• Overweight patients with fatty areas out of proportion to their body.
• Men and women with “double chins” who wish a more streamlined jawline definition.

Liposuction Q & A

What areas of the body are treated with tumescent liposuction?

Virtually every area of fat accumulation can be treated with liposculpture. Most common areas include: double chins, arms, inner and outer thighs, abdomen, hips, flanks or “love handles,” and waist. We employ the most effective up-to-date methods to treat our patients. We specialize in liposculpture, the most advanced technique in body contouring to date. We use the latest proven innovations and techniques in this field. Liposculpture improves body symmetry by permanently removing fat deposits that develop between the skin and muscle tissue. The result is an attractive, more shapely and slimmer physique.

Lipotransfer – The fat removed during the procedure can be used immediately or saved for a later time to fill in wrinkles on the face, enhance lips or fill in thin vein covered hands. We can also perform this as an independent procedure.

Is liposculpture the same as liposuction?

Also known as tumescent liposuction, Liposculpture differs considerably from conventional liposuction. It is safer and less traumatizing to the body because it employs miniaturized instruments for extraction, and requires only local anesthetic.

Benefits of tumescent liposculpture versus liposuction include vastly reduced bruising, minimal blood loss, and decreased pain both during and after the procedure.

In addition, a much more refined result is possible than with conventional liposuction. Since the patient can stand or kneel as the procedure is performed. Thus, the figure can be sculptured more evenly and skillfully to create a superior result, with smoother appearance and better skin retraction. Endermologie, a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure, may also be an option for patients who desire a less dramatic sculpturing result, which will help lessen “cellulite.” Ask us for details.

Recovery

Liposculpture is a very safe outpatient procedure with few risk factors. Approximately three to four hours are required to perform the actual procedure, and patients are encouraged to remain active immediately following the procedure. Our patients enjoy a rapidly accelerated recovery time and are usually back at work within a few days. Most normal activities can be resumed within a week, however, high impact aerobics and jogging are best left until about three weeks following the procedure.

How is liposculpture performed?

A thin, hollow instrument (typically 2mm-4mm in diameter) called a cannula is used to remove unwanted fat deposits. The cannula is inserted through a tiny incision placed in an inconspicuous location near the area to be treated. Unwanted fat is removed through the cannula by a high-pressure vacuum, with micro-cannulas used to provide more precise sculpting. Tumescent fluid is used during the procedure to liquify the fat, enabling it to flow through even the smallest cannula. Impressively there is no need to remove excess skin with surgery. The skin is a dynamic organ which has elasticity and in most cases shrinks to accommodate the new body contour.

How long do the results last?

Liposculpture removes fat cells permanently. With weight gain, new fat will generally not return to treated areas. A person who has liposculpture at age 40 may well have the benefits for more than half his/her life when combined with exercise and a proper diet. Liposculpture can improve appearance and self-esteem for a lifetime.

Will liposculpture work for cellulite?

The dimpled, or bumpy, fat accumulations that sometimes develop over the thighs and buttocks are often mistakenly called cellulite. This problem can usually be helped with liposculpture. However, true cellulite is due to the distribution of fibrous bands within fatty tissues. It cannot be eliminated, but liposculpture may well improve its overall appearance. Endermologie may also help eliminate cellulite.

Cost / Affordability

Liposculpture is an affordable esthetic medical procedure. It is generally not covered by medical insurance. However, since it is an outpatient procedure and does not usually require general anesthesia, we avoid the cost associated with outpatient surgery centers, hospitalization, and medical anesthesiology personnel.

Visit one of our Tumescent Liposuction locations in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Santa Monica, CA.