As a service to patients who wish to finance a cosmetic surgery procedure, Dr. Levens offers a choice of monthly service plans.
Liposuction
Procedures
Liposuction (Lipoplasty)
Liposuction can produce excellent results for men or women with unsightly bulges which seem immune to diet and exercise. Reducing these localized fat deposits can create a much more attractive weight distribution and a smoother, more slender body outline. It often dramatically improves the patient's appearance in bathing suits, slacks and other close-fitting garments. Patients also enjoy no longer having to buy oversized garments to accommodate bulges in a localized area such as hips, buttocks, thighs or upper arms.
Also called "lipoplasty", this procedure uses small tubes, or cannulas, inserted through tiny incisions, to remove excess fat deposits from specific locations in the body. Areas of the body where fat deposits can cause localized bulges include the neck, upper arms, upper and lower abdomen, flank areas (love handles), back, inner thighs, outer thighs and hips (saddlebags), buttocks, knee areas, calves, and ankles. GOOD CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION:
Healthy men and women who have localized fat deposits (but are not extremely overweight) are good candidates for this procedure. Skin elasticity is also a factor. When fat is removed from beneath the skin, the skin can become somewhat looser. The degree of looseness depends on the elastic qualities of your skin before surgery and the amount of fat removed. If your skin is excessively lax before the procedure, the additional looseness after suctioning may be undesirable. In this situation, you may require excision of some tissue for an optimal result. Although there is no absolute age at which the skin becomes too loose for the procedure, after age 45 - 50 (or occasionally sooner), the elasticity of the skin decreases in most patients.
THE PROCEDURE:
Dr. Levens will draw detailed lines on your body, carefully marking the areas of localized fat to be suctioned. Tiny incisions are then made in concealed areas, where possible, and small suction tubes are inserted to the proper depth of the fat deposit. The tube or cannula is then passed back and forth until an appropriate amount of fat has been removed. The cannula is then moved a small distance, and the process is repeated. The entire bulging area is treated in this way, carefully removing small amounts of fat at a time, and constantly checking fat thickness and contour as suctioning proceeds.
When Dr. Levens has finished suctioning on one side of the body (such as a hip or thigh), the opposite side is treated in the same way. He will compare the two sides and adjust suctioning to create the best match. Finally, the incisions are carefully closed, and an elastic garment or dressing is placed to put gentle pressure on the skin and prevent excess fluid accumulating in the area suctioned. All of your incisions will be carefully closed with stitches leaving small scars. You can shower or bathe within 4 days.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Suction lipoplasty does not significantly reduce body weight. Its purpose is to create a smoother profile by reducing the appearance of localized bulges.
The amount of fat which can be removed depends on the amount present in each deposit . It is necessary to leave a thin layer of normal fat beneath the skin to prevent rippling or dimpling of the skin surface. Suctioning only removes fat. If you have a bulge due to muscle or bone it will not be removed.
The procedure will not eliminate rippled or "cellulite" appearance of the skin present prior to surgery. In fact, it is possible for liposuction to create small areas of skin rippling, dimpling, or contour irregularity.
You will likely have some swelling, bruising, and numbness over the treated areas after surgery. These symptoms typically fade in 2-3 weeks or sooner, and you'll notice feeling starting to return (if it was decreased) in about 2 weeks. You will see an immediate contour change, but it can take 3 months for maximum improvement to be achieved.
In a small percentage of cases, risks common to all surgical procedures can occur, such as bleeding, infection and scar tissue formation. Dr. Levens will give you detailed information about these and other rare risks during his discussion with you and in written information about liposuction.
RECOVERY:
Most patients have mild, to moderate discomfort for a few days after liposuction. Some say the feeling is similar to that of muscle soreness after intense exercise. Dr. Levens will prescribe pain medication if necessary.
You will be asked to wear an elastic garment our office will provide for 3 weeks or more after surgery, depending on the areas and extent of your procedure. This is done to minimize fluid collection and swelling in the treated areas. You may develop bruising in the treated areas, which will gradually fade over 7-21 days.
Breast reduction is done on an out-patient basis, unless many areas are treated at one time, or a large volume of fat is removed. The typical schedule of recovery is: Bruising and swelling, 7-21 days; return to work & social activity, 2-3 days; aerobic or strenuous activity, 14 days. Dr. Levens will encourage you to return to normal activity as soon as you can, but avoid strenuous activity that would push your pulse over 100 for about two to three weeks. Any aerobic activity that increases your pulse over 100 also increases your blood pressure, and could make you bleed.
FIND OUT MORE: Dr. Levens will review every aspect of liposuction with you during your complimentary consultation. Patient Coordinator Diana Doria will discuss fees, financing plans and scheduling, and answer any additional questions. There is absolutely no obligation to schedule a procedure. To arrange your consultation, please call 954-752-1020.
Dr. Levens has been providing liposuction
procedures for patients in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs,
Davie, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Miami, North
Lauderdale, Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Tamarac, West Palm Beach, Wellington,
Weston and throughout South Florida since 1989.
