Many people are bothered by stubborn areas of fat that remain even though they eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. When this is the case, liposuction may be used to manually remove these unwanted fat deposits, resulting in a naturally beautiful body shape.
Liposuction, sometimes called “lipo,” is a procedure that removes unwanted fat from the body. It can be used in many areas, including the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, and chin—wherever stubborn fat is found that won’t respond to diet and exercise. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that should always be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg.
Liposuction is also often performed in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a facelift or tummy tuck.
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Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that The Plastic Surgery Center of Maryland can perform in our Baltimore office location. During a typical liposuction procedure, either local or general anesthesia can be used to numb the treatment area. Then, a small incision is made to allow Dr. Rosenberg to insert a thin, hollow tube called a cannula until it reaches the area of fat to be removed. Dr. Rosenberg manipulates the cannula to loosen the excess fat until it can be suctioned out of the body.
More specifically, Dr. Rosenberg can utilize two techniques during a liposuction procedure: tumescent liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
The most commonly used liposuction technique, tumescent liposuction begins with an injection of a sterile solution into the fatty tissue to be removed. This solution helps break down fat tissue, constricts blood flow to the area, and includes lidocaine, a numbing compound. Then the incision is made and the cannula is inserted to remove excess fat.
In some cases, Dr. Rosenberg may opt to use ultrasound-assisted liposuction instead of or in addition to tumescent liposuction. This technique is similar to tumescent liposuction although it also includes the use of a specially designed metal rod that emits ultrasound waves to liquefy fat cells and make it easier for Dr. Rosenberg to remove large amounts of fat in a treatment area.
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The final cost of your liposuction procedure will vary based on factors such as the area (or areas) of the body you are treating, the location where your procedure will be performed, and the expertise of your surgeon. Some costs to consider are anesthesia, facility fees, surgeon’s fees, medical tests, and medications. On average, the cost of a Baltimore liposuction procedure is about $4,000 and up. Please visit our pricing page to learn more. If cost is a concern to your budget, we offer convenient financing plans to help make affordable liposuction in Maryland. Dr. Rosenberg will give you a more accurate estimate of liposuction cost in Baltimore after a consultation.
Men and women who are generally healthy, without a life-threatening illness or a medical condition that could impair healing, are usually good candidates for liposuction. In addition, you should be a non-smoker and within 30% of your ideal, healthy weight. Finally, the best candidates have good muscle tone and firm, elastic skin.
The only way to know for sure if you qualify for liposuction is to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg. During your consultation, Dr. Rosenberg will work to understand your concerns and goals, determine your candidacy for liposuction, and develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you.
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Liposuction is a safe, minimally invasive way to remove stubborn, unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. This procedure is a type of body contouring procedure, which means it is designed to sculpt and shape specific problem areas a patient finds unsatisfactory like love handles for example.
Common problem areas that can be successfully treated by liposuction include:
If you have stubborn or unsightly fat deposits in any of these areas, liposuction may be a non-surgical solution to achieving a naturally beautiful body contour.
Although liposuction is an appealing and simple procedure, it’s important to have realistic expectations for what it can accomplish. First and foremost, liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. On average, Dr. Rosenberg only removes a few pounds of fat from a treatment area during a liposuction procedure.
In addition, liposuction is not for men or women who have excess skin or skin laxity problems. The best results from liposuction occur when a person’s skin elasticity can tolerate the sudden shift in volume without sagging.
If you have any questions about whether liposuction is the right procedure to address your body contouring needs, contact The Plastic Surgery Center of Maryland to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rosenberg.
Many patients find it helpful to write down any questions they have ahead of the appointment, so they don’t forget anything in the moment. Some common questions about liposuction include:
During the consultation, Dr. Rosenberg will review your medical history and take note of conditions or allergies you may have. You should be prepared to discuss previous medical treatments and surgeries and any medication, vitamins, or supplements you use as well as any alcohol, tobacco, or drug use. Dr. Rosenberg will likely take photographs of the treatment area and discuss all your options before recommending a treatment plan.
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During liposuction recovery, you can expect swelling, redness, and some discomfort. You will be required to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and encourage proper healing. Small drains may be in place to prevent fluid accumulation as well. Most patients need to rest for a few days before returning to work, and may need to avoid activities like exercise for several weeks after liposuction.
Temporary side effects may include swelling, bruising, discomfort, and numbness around the treatment area. Pain can be treated using over-the-counter medication, although make sure to confirm your personalized recovery plan with Dr. Rosenberg.
Within six to eight weeks, you should be fully healed and enjoying your new curves, and Dr. Rosenberg will carefully monitor your progress throughout this time to make sure you are comfortable and healthy during your recovery period.
With a healthy diet and exercise routine, liposuction results can be long-lasting, or even permanent. However, extensive weight gain will generate new fat tissue in all areas of your body, including the liposuction treatment area, which may result in undesirable fat distribution.
Although no treatment, surgical or non-surgical, can prevent the natural process of aging, maintaining a healthy weight after getting liposuction can extend the body contouring benefits of the procedure.
If you’re tired of stubborn fat keeping you from having the smooth, firm curves you want, liposuction may be right for you. To learn more about liposuction and to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure, schedule a consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rosenberg. Call the Plastic Surgery Center of Maryland at (410) 324-3071 or request your appointment online.
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