Clinical: 40 Yr Old Post 2 Pregnancy Wanted Liposuction And A Medial Thigh Lift

A Mini Thigh Lift With Liposuction Was Performed. Incisions Are Hidden in the Leg Trunk Crease. Note The Amount Of Skin Removed.

PROBLEM: UNWANTED FAT

Excess fat of:

Jawlines
Midface
Neck
Upper breasts, armpit
Chest, lateral breasts
Abdomen
Back (including above and below bra lines)
Upper pubic area
Buttocks
Legs
Ankles
Arms
Lipomas

ANALYSIS

The amount of excess fat in cc's is measured in relationship to the skin. Skin tone, stretch marks, the level of fat, superficial or deep, are noted. There is no reliable method to completely predict skin elasticity in a live human. A history of weight gain, pregnancies, hormonal condition,  general health are appraised for impact on skin elasticity. If a large volume is anticipated, each areas volume is totalled.

SURGICAL CORRECTION

The goal is to sculpt the body, have skin contour and not hang, to have minimal if any lumps, and  a smooth contour. Several types of liposuction are possible but all use a suction cannula to remove fat.   I do not believe that external therapies can destroy fat cells, have them be removed and leave the body like liposuction can. I have seen injected lipolysis agents leave lumps.

These include -

• Small tube lipo
• Ultrasound lipo
• Laser lipo
• Traditional lipo
• Radiowave lipo

Each has its advocates and companies marketing machines. Some advocate a few days of improved healing versus others. Nonetheless all must remove the fat and all require skin incisions. 

Liposuction is usually performed in the deep layer only as contour irregularities may occur if the superficial layer is suctioned (for some people,  there is no choice and the superficial must be addressed).

The simplest with the least trauma and smallest scar is small tube lipo which has a 1.5 to 2mm tube remove the fat. All areas are pretreated with a tumescent solution containing Saline, Novocaine, Adrenaline and a long acting anesthetic - Bupivicaine.

For areas with fibrous tissue, such as breast, back, pubic areas, a small amount of a collagen enzyme is used to facilitate fat removal. 

For large deposits, larger cannulas may be used, but only in the deep plane.

Laser lipo and vaser lipo costs more than small tube.

RECOVERY

1-3 days depending upon amount and areas. Bruising may persist for up to 2 weeks, gradually fading within that time. Lipo is rarely painful as the small holes are left to drain during the first 24 hours.

Risks are minimal. Infections or bleeding have not been seen.

Revisions to remove more fat can occur and are done under local and take 10-15 minutes. Skin irregularities can occur despite all precautions -  these tend to be minor. They occur more commonly in the abdomen (especially post pregnancy) and inner thighs.