Liposuction of La Jolla - Dr. Marialyn Sardo

Liposuction is the surgical vacuuming of fat from beneath the surface of the skin. It is used to reduce fullness in any area of the body. It is a very effective technique for reducing localized fat deposits, but is not an effective method of weight reduction.

A good candidate for liposuction is a person who is healthy, is at ideal or modestly overweight, and has localized areas of protruding fat that don't respond well to dieting or exercise. Skin elasticity and firmness (usually better in the under 45 age group) will allow for better skin "shrinkage" and a smoother result. Realistic expectations are important in your ultimate satisfaction with your procedure.

The tumescent technique involves injection beneath the skin of large volumes of fluid containing lidocaine ( a local anesthetic), and adrenaline (also known as epinephrine, which shrinks blood vessels ) prior to suctioning the fat. This helps minimize bleeding and gives some post operative reduction in discomfort. For treating small areas , this injection alone can provide adequate anesthesia. Another variation used is called the "super-wet technique". It involves injecting the same type of solution into the fat prior to suctioning, but a lesser amount is used, typically the same volume as is expected to be suctioned.

This technique uses a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells causing it to liquefy. The fat is then removed with traditional suction techniques. It may be more effective in very fibrous fat found in some men's flanks, upper back and in male breast enlargement. I am not enthusiastic about this technique because of the larger incisions necessary, longer operating times and the possible complications of skin or nerve injury.

If there is excess fat under the chin and the skin is not too loose, liposuction alone can produce a tighter, more youthful jaw line. However, if the skin is too loose, hanging or crepey, it will not shrink down smoothly to produce the desired result. In these cases, face/ neck lift is usually required as well. Most patients over 40 will have a more desireable result by also performing surgical skin tightening as well.

Liposuction is a very safe and effective procedure which has been performed on hundreds of thousands of people. Complications are uncommon in the healthy person who is a good candidate for this procedure, undergoing the surgery with a well trained surgeon in the proper facilities. But, liposuction is not like going to the hairdresser. It IS a surgical procedure and risks and complications such as bleeding, infection and nerve damage are possible. Fortunately they are rare and most patients are satisfied with their results.