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Most of us have areas of our bodies that we’d like to change. We want to be smaller, firmer, slimmer … and these feelings usually lead us to trying diets and exercise regimens with varying degrees of success. When those efforts aren’t enough, many patients turn to body contouring options available at Sieber Plastic Surgery.
Sometimes, we can make a change. But often, even the most dedicated exercise plan and the strictest diet can’t fix the issue of stubborn fat. Only when a procedure like liposuction is introduced can we truly say goodbye to this fat forever.
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that involves making small incisions near pockets of stubborn excess fat, inserting a hollow cannula, and suctioning out fat cells before closing the incisions. Liposuction surgery can be a standalone surgery, but it can also be done in combination with other surgical procedures, such as tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, face-lift, mommy makeover, arm lift, or Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
Dr. David Sieber possesses a wealth of experience and outstanding expertise in conducting various liposuction procedure techniques. He specializes in multiple approaches that prioritize patient safety and maximize effectiveness:
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction employs a rapid-vibrating cannula emitting ultrasound energy. This energy liquefies fat cells as the cannula passes through them, facilitating their suction removal.
Tumescent liposuction utilizes local anesthesia to target and remove large volumes of subcutaneous fat effectively. While the suctioned fat cells are permanently eliminated, after a few months, overall body fat typically returns to the pre-treatment level.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) represents an advanced technique, utilizing innovative technology for faster fat removal with reduced trauma compared to previous options. The specialized oscillating cannula employs rapid vibrations to effectively break up fat cells, ensuring precise and efficient suctioning.
These methods have been carefully selected by Dr. David Sieber due to their proven track record and ability to deliver optimal results for his patients.
Some patients experience a quick recovery after liposuction surgery if only treating smaller areas. Otherwise, there is definitely some discomfort and planning that need to happen for larger or multiple areas. Here’s what you can expect while you are healing.
First, you will be placed in a foam vest and compression suit to help reduce the accumulation of fluid beneath the skin where fat was removed. The vest and compression suit must be worn 24 hours a day for the first month. After that, the foam vest can be removed, and a tighter compression is to be worn for 12 hours a day (day or night) for another two months.
You will have two drainage tubes (one in front and one in back), which will be removed seven to 10 days after surgery. All patients should start receiving lymphatic drainage massages starting the day after surgery.
Common symptoms after traditional surgical liposuction include: Swelling, Bruising, mild pain (controllable with medication)
Most patients are ready to return to work within five to seven days, particularly those who work desk jobs. It may take three to six months for all swelling to resolve completely.
Best Plastic Surgeon
Focusing on cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Sieber is a board-certified plastic surgeons in the San Francisco Bay Area with specialized fellowship training in cosmetic surgery. He has completed further training in the latest non-surgical procedures including dermal fillers, botulinum toxins, and laser skin rejuvenation.
There are many types of liposuction patients as this procedure can be used alone or in conjunction with other surgical procedures. Still, most patients who are good candidates for liposuction:
Remember that liposuction is a cosmetic procedure for fat removal, but it is not a weight loss treatment, nor does it target loose skin. Only limited amounts of excess fat can be removed with this surgery.
As with all major surgical procedures, preparation is key. Several weeks prior to any plastic surgery, including liposuction, you may need to:
Cost of liposuction in San Francisco Bay Area: What San Francisco patients will pay for liposuction will vary from patient to patient. Typically, we go to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for baseline cosmetic surgery costs.
However, additional factors, such as the following, will also be considered when looking at San Francisco liposuction cost:
Lastly, remember that the cost liposuction requires in San Francisco will automatically be higher than in smaller cities and less-populated states. Surgery is always more expensive where the cost of living is higher.
Both procedures can help to create a flatter and more toned stomach. However, liposuction simply removes unwanted abdominal fat, and a tummy tuck removes excess skin and, if necessary, repairs abdominal muscles.
Virtually any area of the body with stubborn fatty deposits can be reshaped and contoured through liposuction. The most commonly liposuctioned areas are the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, chest, neck, and love handles.
Each treatment plan is uniquely created for each patient, including which areas of the body to target and how much fat to remove, so it’s necessary to meet with Dr. Sieber for an in-person examination to receive an accurate price quote. Call for liposuction pricing.
Your biggest decision will be regarding where on your body you’d like to eliminate stubborn fat, keeping in mind multiple areas can be targeted at once. At your consultation, Dr. Sieber will also discuss which of the two main types of liposuction would be best for you: traditional liposuction or VASER-assisted liposuction. Dr. Sieber uses ultrasound assisted liposuction in nearly all of his patients as it’s able to provide them with a better outcome.
There are a lot of surgeons who advertise liposuction under local anesthetic. These procedures are often called fun sculpting, air sculpting etc. All of these types of liposuction typically result in a poor aesthetic result. Dr. Sieber tends to see a lot of patients who’ve undergone these types of liposuction only to be displeased with the amount of fat removed and their end results. Smaller areas like the neck can absolutely be treated under local anesthesia only.
The most common complications after surgery are seroma (fluid collections), hyperpigmentation, contour irregularities, and fibrosis. These can happen for a variety of reasons and may be due to a patient’s own course of healing, not following post-operative protocols, or due to surgeon technique.
Complications can happen with any surgeon, so you’ll want to choose a surgeon who can minimize the risk of complications as much as possible. The three things that help minimize complications the most are training, experience, and post-operative protocols. Dr. Sieber’s experience, training, and expertise help to reduce the risk of complications as much as possible. Dr. Sieber adheres to an extremely regimented post-operative protocol as well, which not only helps patients heal faster, but also minimizes any associated risks.
Although liposuction typically results in an average fat loss of five (up to 11) pounds, the primary objective is not weight loss. Liposuction aims to eliminate stubborn fat, contour the body, and enhance areas resistant to diet and exercise, helping you achieve the desired look and feel.
Liposuction is not a procedure designed for weight loss. It’s a body-contouring procedure to remove stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Despite the fact that the procedure targets pockets of fat, most patients do not lose significant amounts of weight from this procedure.
For individuals who are slightly overweight (within 5 to 10 pounds of their ideal weight), liposuction can help in smoothing out certain areas of the body that don’t respond to regular exercise or healthy eating. However, those who are more than 10 to 15 pounds overweight are not ideal liposuction candidates, and they should consider attempting to lose additional excess fat before seeking liposuction.
Gaining fat after surgery will not look good. In order to maintain the optimal look that you and Dr. Sieber worked to achieve through liposuction, it’s best to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Maintaining a weight within 5 to 10 lbs. is very important for the best long-term outcomes.
At the same time, it is possible to gain a significant amount of weight and have that fat not go directly to the areas treated with liposuction. Instead, in most cases, the fat you’d gain would be distributed proportionally to the new shape of your body. In other words, while you would likely get larger due to a large weight gain, the overall shape should remain. With weight gain, fat tends to accumulate more in areas of the body which did not undergo liposuction.
Liposuction permanently removes fat cells. So long as you maintain your weight through a healthy diet and exercising regularly, the shape achieved by your liposuction should remain.
In patients having liposuction for the first time, final results will be seen in 3 to 6 months. Patients who have had previous CoolSculpting and/or previous liposuction might need to wait 6 to 12 months to see their final results. These patients may also require additional massages and/or more time wearing the foam vest for better compression.
Modern liposuction procedures use tiny incisions and very thin instruments to remove fat from specific, targeted areas. The appearance of the scars after surgery depends on several factors, such as genetics, surgical technique, and incision care. Although liposuction incisions are usually less than 3-4mm, Dr. Sieber takes care to place the incisions in the most inconspicuous areas on the body as possible.
Patients who have the best results after surgery adhere as closely as possible to the prescribed post-operative protocols. Simply follow these protocols. Each one is specifically designed to not only minimize complications, but to also maximize healing.
When patients wear poorly fitting garments or do not get massages, they tend to get more fibrosis and poor aesthetic results. Dr. Sieber also recommends a good diet and exercise regimen after surgery. Patients who get in even better shape after liposuction end up with even better results.
For traditional or tumescent liposuction procedure, please contact Sieber Plastic Surgery in San Francisco. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber would be happy to discuss your liposuction goals with you — as well as all aspects of the procedure like treated areas for liposuction and what course of action will best suit your needs.
To schedule your San Francisco liposuction treatment, call 415-915-9000.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
