If you have fat that is collecting in certain areas of your body, this might be a result of your genetics rather than because of a lack of staying fit and eating the right foods. These pockets of fat can often linger in locations such as the abdomen, flanks, or submental areas despite losing weight in other areas of the body.
If you are experiencing stubborn fat and you are unhappy with the contours of your body, liposuction can be used to remove small amounts of fat and make your body smoother and more balanced. At Karol Gutowski, MD, in Glenview, IL, we offer several different liposuction options.
Tumescent power-assisted liposuction includes the insertion of tumescent fluid in the treatment area along with a vibrating cannula – both help to make the procedure easier. Including tumescent fluid and a power-assisted cannula also provides better results with a faster recovery time and less bruising for the patient.
During this type of liposuction, the tumescent fluid is administered first. This fluid contains saline as well as medication to numb the area and reduce bleeding. Then the fat is removed using the power-assisted cannula.
VASER liposuction is a type of procedure that uses ultrasound technology to break down the fat cells before they are removed. As with tumescent liposuction, a tumescent fluid is inserted, then an ultrasonic probe is inserted into the area which liquifies the fat cells. Doing this makes them much easier to remove using the cannula.
Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction can be used in many areas such as the arms, chest, neck, and submental zone and can be especially helpful for areas that have fibrous fat that is more dense. VASER liposuction can also provide skin-tightening benefits which can resolve some concerns about loose skin.
Laser-assisted liposuction is also sometimes used to liquefy fat before it is removed. Before the liposuction process, the laser is inserted which heats the fat tissue and breaks it down. Next, it is easily sucked out. This faster process can result in shorter recovery times.
Body Jet Water Lipo, also called water-assisted liposuction or water lipo, uses a gentle stream of water to help loosen fat cells from the surrounding tissues and make them easier to remove. This procedure is designed to help make recovery easier and is sometimes used for fat transfers.
Arms are a common area for liposuction, and we get many requests for this procedure each year. Liposuction can be performed on both the upper and lower arms using different methods of liposuction.
Having extra fat in the chin and neck area, sometimes called the submental area, can cause the jawline to have less definition. By performing chin and neck liposuction, we can give you a sculpted chin and jawline.
A 360 liposuction provides fat removal for the entire area around the midsection. Treatment is performed on the abdominal area, the flanks, and the lower back to help give you the sculpted shape that you are looking for.
Liposuction is not a procedure that should be used as a weight loss solution. The purpose of this treatment is to remove small amounts of fat from stubborn areas where it is preventing you from having the shape that you want. Because of this, we do not remove more than 10 pounds of fat during one procedure.
With patients who are over their ideal weight, we recommend waiting until you are within a few pounds of your goal BMI before having the surgery.
Once we remove fat cells, they cannot grow back. However, we will not remove 100% of the fat cells in the area. Any fat cells that are remaining can still grow which can cause weight gain and a return of stubborn bulges. However, if you continue to maintain your weight through a healthy lifestyle, the results of your liposuction treatment can be permanent.
Yes! Lipedema is a condition that can cause the build-up of excess fat in your legs or arms. If more conservative methods of treatments such as compression, massage, and incorporating a healthy diet and exercising routine are not effective, we can use liposuction to help. While we offer all types of liposuction procedures at our practice, we most often use power-assisted liposuction (PAL) for Lipedema because of the superior results that it can achieve for people with this condition. Dr. Gutowski specializes in Lipedema treatments and has been treating patients with this condition since 2001.
Liposuction costs can widely vary depending on the area that is being treated and which method is being used. While cost is an important factor to discuss with your surgeon, it is even more important to make sure you are getting a high-quality procedure from a board-certified surgeon with years of experience. It’s also important to choose the method that is best for your situation rather than simply choosing the least expensive option.
Liposuction surgery is a good option for individuals who are looking for a way to smooth bulges and contour specific areas of the body. At Karol Gutowski, MD, we offer laser liposuction, VASER liposuction, water-assisted liposuction, and traditional liposuction. You can schedule a consultation with us for our services in Glenview, IL by calling 847-906-1527 or by requesting services online.