Auburn Aesthetics Center

Do you have small pockets of fat on your body, such as love handles or a double chin, that won't go away no matter how much exercise you do? Then the problem is probably genetic. Your body is programmed to store fat in those areas and no amount of exercise and dieting will completely eliminate it. Liposuction is a safe way to permanently remove this excess fat from the body's problem areas.

Dr. Freed performs safe, tumescent style liposuction of the neck and body. During tumescent liposuction (lipoplasty), numbing anesthetic fluid is injected into the target area and the fat is gently suctioned out through small, discrete incisions. The end result is a slimmer, more streamlined figure.

Liposuction is particularly well-suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have isolated pockets of fat that cause certain areas of their body to appear disproportionate. For men, it may sometimes be used to treat a condition called gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, which frequently occurs among both teenage and adult males. Other areas in both men and women that may benefit from this procedure are the chin and neck, upper arms, abdomen and waist, back, and inner and outer thighs.

To be a good candidate for liposuction, it is beneficial to have realistic expectations about what this procedure can do for you. The best candidates for liposuction are people within normal weight-range that have firm, elastic skin with pockets of stubborn excess fat in certain areas. While it is possible to undergo liposuction at almost any age, you will obtain the best results if your skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour following fat removal. When skin is inelastic, as in some older patients, it may not re-drape well and an additional skin tightening procedure may be necessary.

It's important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for overall weight loss, nor is it an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin an uneven, dimpled appearance.

Dr. Freed performs liposuction in our outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia, and oftentimes in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures. In some cases, smaller-volume liposuction may be done as a simple office procedure under a light oral sedative. You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four-to-six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.

If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You will find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape!