Liposuction

If you’re frustrated by stubborn fat that doesn’t seem to respond to diet or exercise, liposuction offers a path to refined body contouring that lasts. Many residents of Smyrna, Georgia, rely on fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeon Melinda Miller-Thrasher, MD, of Innovative Surgical Arts Medspa for liposuction procedures. Book a time to learn more by calling the office or trying the easy online scheduling tool. 

How does liposuction work?

Put simply, liposuction works by using carefully controlled suction to remove unwanted fat. The process is highly personalized since everyone carries fat a bit differently. 

At Innovative Surgical Arts Medspa, each patient is recognized as a distinct individual with a unique treatment needs and goals. Clarifying your treatment goals is important, as patients who understand what’s possible through liposuction are happier with their results. 

Several different forms of liposuction include:

Tumescent liposuction

This approach involves injecting a significant volume of saline/medication solution into the treatment area. This liquid makes suctioning fat from the body easier and delivers a powerful anesthetic to the treatment area. 

VASER liposuction

VASER (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) liposuction breaks down the bonds between fat cells using sound waves. This makes them easier to remove. VASER lipo is often considered a more gentle form of liposuction. 

Hi-def liposuction

This approach requires a skilled hand and an artistic eye. The process often uses ultrasound-assisted techniques to remove small areas of fat. The fat removal sites are chosen to provide an appearance of defined muscles. Hi-def liposuction can create the appearance of muscular contouring as well as highly sculpted body contouring. 

Your practitioner explains each option during your personalized consultation. 

Is liposuction a painful process?

Numbing medication ensures you rest comfortably throughout your liposuction procedure. In some cases, additional medication is placed within the liquid injected into the liposuction treatment site. 

Most people find liposuction treatment to be easily tolerated. You might feel a sensation of pressure as your practitioner maneuvers the cannula in the treatment area, but there is no pain. 

A degree of discomfort, swelling, and bruising is normal in the days following any form of liposuction. However, these side effects soon subside, and you begin to see your results. 

Are liposuction results permanent? 

The fat removed through liposuction is gone forever and won’t regenerate. That said, your remaining fat cells will continue to function normally. That means they’ll expand and contract to accommodate more or less fat. 

That’s why liposuction is a good fit for people who’ve reached and can maintain a healthy, stable weight. If you’re more than 15 pounds away from your weight goal, speak with your practitioner to determine if liposuction is the best fit for your needs. 

If you’d like more information, schedule a face-to-face consultation online or over the phone.