Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures, providing dramatic contour improvements through tiny incisions with rapid recovery times.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures, providing dramatic contour improvements through tiny incisions with rapid recovery times. As with all plastic surgery procedures, liposuction must be uniquely customized to your needs and goals, which can be determined during a consultation.

THe Liposuction Procedure

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati use a state-of-the-art power-assisted liposuction (PAL) system and the SAFE lipo technique. The PAL technique has been a staple in our practice since the late 1990s and has been continually upgraded as new technology becomes available. Unlike laser and ultrasound techniques, PAL does not add energy or heat, which can injure tissue. PAL makes more efficient use of each pass of the liposuction cannula, minimizing swelling and bruising while allowing improved treatment of more fibrous body areas.

SAFE lipo is a refinement of PAL, enhancing the quality and smoothness of the result with three steps:

  • S: Separation of fat using a special cannula on the PAL to prepare the area for fat removal.
  • A: Aspiration, which is the normal process of liposuction using the PAL equipment.
  • FE: Fat Equalization, which involves passing the same cannula used for Separation through the treatment area for final smoothing.

Liposuction incisions are typically ¼ inch or less in length, often located in natural skin creases to decrease visibility. However, this is not always possible. Generally, you can expect one or two incisions per treatment area.

How is Liposuction Performed?

Most liposuction procedures are performed under general anesthesia at the Surgery Center, an accredited outpatient facility. Our goal is to ensure maximum patient safety and comfort while achieving the best surgical outcome. Occasionally, small areas of liposuction can be performed in the office using local anesthetic only.

Post-procedure, most patients experience minimal soreness and can return to their usual daily activities within 3-4 days. A compression garment is applied on the surgical table to support the treated areas for the first one to two weeks. Some anesthetic fluid may leak from the incisions for the first 48 to 72 hours. Visible improvements in contour are typically noticeable within a few days as swelling resolves, with the final result taking several weeks as the skin retracts to the new contour.

Schedule Your Appointment

Liposuction charges are determined by “area.” It’s important to note subtle differences in fee structures; for example, we consider liposuction of both hips to be a single area, unlike some surgeons. We usually treat all desired areas in a single session, which may result in a higher initial cost but is often less expensive than multiple smaller sessions.

Before & After Gallery

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati are Plastic Surgeons devoted to advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Breast, and Body.

liposuction before and after photo

Liposuction

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight will I lose if I have liposuction?

Liposuction changes your shape, not your weight.

How big are the liposuction incisions?

The incisions are 1/4 inch or less. Usually, one or two incisions are required per area of liposuction.

How long will my bruises last after liposuction?

Most bruising usually resolves within 2 weeks after surgery, but this can vary from patient to patient and area to area.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?

It is best to perform liposuction when you are at a stable weight you can maintain. If your weight remains stable after surgery, your result should last a long time. If you gain weight after surgery, you will gain it in your whole body, but it should not go disproportionately to the areas treated with liposuction.

Does liposuction help cellulite?

Liposuction is not a treatment for cellulite. Most of the time, the dimples in the skin, known as cellulite, are not changed by liposuction. Cellulite treatment with Avéli is available. More information can be found here.

Will liposuction help stretch marks?

Liposuction is not a treatment for stretch marks, they usually remain unchanged.

Will liposuction make loose skin worse?

The quality of the result from liposuction depends greatly on the quality of the skin in the treated area. Healthy, elastic skin usually responds very well to liposuction and contracts nicely over the new fat contour. Skin which is loose before surgery will usually still be loose after surgery, but sometimes may improve with liposuction. In short, more youthful, stretchy skin responds the best to liposuction.

How long do the results of liposuction last?

If you maintain your weight, the result of liposuction should change very little over time. Although, natural changes with aging to the skin and fat will still occur.

Will I change clothes size after liposuction?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no - it depends on the area being treated, how much fat is removed, and how well the skin retracts. Liposuction makes contour changes to the treated area(s), but it is not a weight loss method.

What type of liposuction does the practice use?

Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati prefer the Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) system. The PAL vibrates the liposuction cannula back and forth very quickly, allowing multiple smaller strokes with each full stroke of the cannula. Our practice has used PAL technology since the late 1990s with great success. Compared to standard liposuction, PAL minimizes trauma to the tissue, resulting in less bruising and swelling.

In contrast, ultrasonic and laser liposuction add heat energy to the process. This added heat is not necessary for fat removal and can lead to abnormal scarring and a greater risk of skin irregularities. Therefore, we believe PAL is the superior method for achieving optimal results with minimal complications.

Why not use an external laser or cold therapy to dissolve fat instead of liposuction?

Technologies involving ultrasound, laser, and cold therapy are available to dissolve fat. While each of these methods works differently, they generally result in only a small amount of fat removal and are limited to treating small areas. These methods also require significant treatment times and usually multiple sessions to achieve noticeable results.

Additionally, cold therapy for fat dissolution has been associated with a serious complication known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, where the treated fat enlarges rather than decreases in size. Given these limitations and potential risks, liposuction remains the most effective and reliable method for significant fat removal and body contouring.

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Dr. Kirn and Dr. Al Bayati photo

Meet Dr. David Kirn

Dr. David Kirn is an American Board of Plastic Surgery Certified Plastic Surgeon who is devoted to advanced techniques in Cosmetic Surgery of the Face, Breast, and Body. In private practice since 1998, he is located in a state-of-the-art facility which includes a full service skin care center. The practice is focused on personalized patient care and attention to detail. Where possible, Dr. Kirn utilizes minimally invasive procedures.

Meet Dr. Ahmed Al Bayati

Having completed his training in plastic surgery and serving as Chief Resident at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Al Bayati brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his practice. His commitment to advancing patient care and achieving exceptional outcomes reflects his unwavering passion for plastic surgery.

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