Shape up your body and remove stubborn fat at Clinton Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, AL. We are pleased to offer liposuction and lipoplasty to our patients. If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, keep reading. We’ll explain the differences between these two treatment options and help you decide if either of these treatments are right for you.
Liposuction vs. Lipoplasty: What’s the Difference?
Modern innovation has transformed the liposuction process. New surgical techniques help to loosen stubborn fat, aiding in its removal. The technical term for liposuction that is assisted by an energy source for easier fat removal is lipoplasty. Most people that receive liposuction are getting lipoplasty, even if the term isn’t used.
At Clinton Plastic Surgery, we use a laser fiber to liquefy fat before removal. Once the fat is ready, we use a traditional liposuction cannula to aspirate and remove the liquid fat, along with some intact fat. The use of the laser fiber offers other benefits too. It allows us to treat areas with stubborn, difficult to remove fat. It also shrinks the skin and the connective fibers. This makes liposuction a treatment possibility for patients without good skin elasticity. Lipoplasty makes liposuction more versatile and more effective.
Lipoplasty: Less Fat from Head to Toe
Where do you have stubborn fat? We use this powerful body shaping treatment to remove fat from many areas of the body. What areas will you sculpt with lipoplasty?
- Abdomen
- Breasts (gynecomastia)
- Hips
- Thighs
- Knees
- Buttocks
- Cheeks
- Under the chin
- Neck
- Back
- Arms
Liposuction isn’t for weight loss. We recommend that patients be close to their ideal weight before receiving treatment. Depending on the areas treated and the amount of fat removed, some patients do lose a few pounds after their procedure. It’s okay if you end up losing weight, but remember, the goal is body shaping, not weight loss.
What Happens During a Lipoplasty Treatment?
We perform liposuction and lipoplasty treatments as an outpatient procedure in our fully accredited operating facility. Patients return home the same day as their treatment. If we’re treating a single area, we often use local anesthetic and sedation. Patients receiving extensive liposuction or that are receiving treatment in multiple areas may require light general anesthesia. We’ll talk about your options during your consultation and always choose the anesthesia option that is safest for the planned procedure.
Small incisions are made near the treatment area. A laser wire is inserted to liquefy fat. Then the fat is removed using a small cannula, or metal tube. We limit incisions to only the necessary number and carefully place them in easily hidden areas as possible.
After the area is shaped and sculpted, the incisions are closed. After a short time in recovery, patients return home. You will need someone to drive you as you will be unable to drive for 24 hours.
Schedule your Liposuction Consultation in Birmingham, AL Today
If you’re thinking about liposuction, we would love to meet with you. Call our office and schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Clinton. Get answers to your questions, learn more about available treatment options, and find out if this procedure is a good fit for you. Call us at 205-408-9787 to schedule your consultation today.
