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Plastic Surgery | Manhattan | New York City

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Body Contouring and Liposuction in Manhattan

Body Contouring | Liposuction | Manhattan | New York CityEveryone, no matter how thin or heavy, has at one time looked in the mirror, grabbed a bulge on their face or body and wished it would just disappear. Diet and exercise, though extremely useful and essential for health, do not determine exactly where the fat will be lost. Certain fat bulges are seemingly resistant to diet and exercise - they seem to have a mind of their own.

Enter liposuction. First introduced to the United States in 1982 by French plastic surgeons, it has become the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure. Many refinements have been made since its introduction but the basic premise is the same. Liposuction can directly target and remove specific fat accumulation on any part of the body. Common areas that are treated include the face, neck, arms, abdomen, hip rolls (love handles), back, thighs, calves and ankles. Liposuction can also reduce breasts in both men and women!

Liposuction is NOT a shortcut for weight loss and it will not result in substantial weight reduction after surgery. It is a body contouring procedure best done on people at or near their normal weight. In certain cases, it can take a good body and turn it into a great body.

The success of any liposuction procedure greatly depends upon the skin's innate ability to tighten by itself - its elasticity. When the underlying fat is removed it is the skin itself which tightens to a smaller size and thereby provides the improvement in contour. Elasticity is affected by the region of the body, age, cumulative sun exposure, smoking, prior weight gain, general health and of course, your genetic background. Only your surgeon can determine if liposuction is appropriate for you.

How is it performed?

Before surgery, photographs are taken and the skin is marked where surgery is to be performed. You will then be taken to the operating room and prepared for surgery.

Liposuction is performed through tiny incisions in the skin. Care is taken to place these incisions in an unobtrusive body crease whenever possible. Tumescent fluid is then injected into all areas to be treated. This saline (salt water) fluid contains additional local anesthetic as well as medication to reduce bleeding and is essential for safe liposuction.

Long, slender metal instruments (called cannulas) are then used to dislodge the fat, which is then removed from the body by a high powered suction machine. Since the instruments are blunt (the tips resemble the tip of a bullet), major blood vessels and nerves are pushed aside during surgery and are therefore preserved in the process. What remains after the fat has been removed looks like a honeycomb or a sponge, with many intact blood vessels, nerves and fibrous connections running between the deeper tissues and the skin. The incisions are then sutured with dissolving sutures.

A snug compression garment is applied after surgery and is worn day and night (except for bathing) for at least a month. The purpose is to compress the "sponge-like" tissues and thereby prevent fluid accumulation. It also aids in the natural tightening of the skin itself

What type of anesthesia is used?

Body Contouring | Liposuction | Manhattan | New York CityMost operations are performed on an out-patient, ambulatory basis in our certified operating room facility. When requested or if medically indicated, the procedure will be done in a hospital. "Twilight sleep" anesthesia is most often used, occasionally with an additional saddle block - general anesthesia is used only rarely and then only in a hospital setting. Our board-certified anesthesiologist will monitor your vital signs for your safety and administer small, frequent doses of a variety of medications through a vein. The result is a gentle, relaxed sleep while your operation is performed. There is no pain and no awareness and you will awaken quickly and comfortably in the operating room just minutes after the completion of surgery. There is usually no hangover or nausea afterwards.

What can I expect after surgery?

You will be moved to the recovery room after surgery and allowed to recover for several hours. Eventually, you will be discharged in the company of a responsible adult. You will receive specific instructions for immediate post operative care but it is vitally important that you drink lots of fluids during the first 24 - 48 hours after surgery.

There will be swelling, bruising and numbness in all areas that have been suctioned. These are all temporary and will disappear within a few weeks. There is soreness for a few days and appropriate pain medication will be prescribed for you. Beginning several weeks after surgery, the suctioned areas will begin to feel firm. This is the next stage of healing and the firmness will remain for several months, gradually softening as time goes on. Gentle massage with moisturizing cream will help at this time. It will take three months or more before full healing has occurred.

Sedentary activities can be resumed within a few days after surgery and many patients return to desk-type work in less than a week. All strenuous activities should be avoided for a minimum of three weeks after surgery. A gradual return to full exercise training can begin at four weeks post operatively.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are interested in learning more about any of our Body Procedures, call 212-570-6080 today to schedule an appointment.

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