Newport Beach Liposuction

The Procedure

A relatively easy surgery complicated by the introduction of numerous technologies, each advocating that a specific technology will impart superior results to the patient.

In essence liposuction removes unwanted excess fat in specific areas that suffer from "lipodystrophy". Lipodystrophy is diet and exercise resistant fat in specific regions. On women these areas usually include the neck, upper arms, breast, hips, back, thighs (inner and outer), abdomen, buttocks and knees. In men it is more limited to neck, breast, abdomen and hips. Certainly there are other areas that may be problematic but these are the most common ones.

Once the fat is removed it will not accumulate in those areas to the degree it did before. This doesn't mean that you can't get large again in these areas but they are not likely to be oversized out of proportion to these other areas of your body (as they were prior to surgery) should you gain weight after the procedure.

The 5 Types of Liposuction

Suction Assisted Lipectomy (SAL)

Aspiration of fat using a cannula (tube) through a small incision using only a vacuum. This is the "gold standard" of all liposuction.

Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

Uses a cannula that rapidly vibrates thereby facilitating the movement of the cannula through the fatty tissue. This can make it easier for the surgeon in certain areas where the tissues maybe more fibrous and firmer such as the male breasts and back or re-operated areas.

Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL or Vaser Lipo)

Like PAL, this moderately makes it easier for the surgeon to pass the cannula through the body tissues, using ultrasonic waves to "melt" fat. It is believed the heat generated by the UAL also results in some skin tightening; however this heat may also cause severe burns, contour irregularities and pigment changes in the skin as well. It often requires the use of a SAL machine in conjunction the UAL one.

Laser Assisted Liposuction (LAL)

Much like its predecessor the UAL the LAL is laser assisted liposuction where the end of the cannula emits a laser beam that melts the fat prior to it being suctioned. It too may require use of the SAL machine to remove much of the fatty debris.

Other Common Names Include: Smart Lipo, Cool Lipo, Lipolite, Prolipo Plus, Accusculpt, SlimLipo, or SmoothLipo

Water-jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL)

Water jet assisted liposuction uses high water pressure to dislodge fat cells and removes them by aspirating out the debris. Claims are that it provides more accurate contouring, less discomfort and easier for the surgeon to move the cannula through the tissues.

What is "Tumescent Liposuction" and how does it differ from "Super wet" Liposuction

Unlike SAL, PAL, UAL, LAL and WAL which are descriptive abbreviations of the mechanical device used in liposuction, the "tumescent" or "super wet" techniques describe the process of infiltrating the soft fatty tissue with saline (salt water) and some additives, usually lidocaine for numbing and pain control and epinephrine (adrenaline) for control of bleeding. The real difference between these 2 techniques is the quantity of fluid infused into the area to be liposuctioned. With "tumescent techniques" the fluid is usually 2-3 times that volume that is expected to be removed from the area while the "super wet" usually employs half as much fluid to greater or lesser degree. Either of these techniques can be used with any of the liposuction devices of SAL, PAL, UAL, LAL, and WAL.

Can I have local anesthesia with one type of liposuction and not the other?

Here is the real truth! You can have any type of anesthesia with any of the devices mentioned! Before I go into this, lets describe the types of anesthesia are.

Local Anesthesia

is the application of using a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to numb the area to be operated upon. Both tumescent and super wet techniques will do this. However the caveat here is that it is very uncomfortable to inject large amounts of these fluids in lots of areas while you are wide awake. Secondly the more of this local anesthetic that is injected, the higher your risk of toxicity from the lidocaine and unwanted side affects and for this reason your surgeon may limit the areas and do additional areas at another sessions.

Local Anesthesia and Sedation (Twilight Sleep)

As above but an Anesthesiologist M.D.) or anesthetist (R.N.) will give you usually intravenously administered medications to sedate you so you will feel less anxious and not feel the injections as much. After you're injected with the local anesthetic, they may reduce the medications so you will be more or less aware of what's going on.

General Anesthesia

This requires the administration of intravenous and aesthetic gases to put you asleep. You are fully monitored for your vital signs. You will feel none of the surgery and while asleep the surgeon will administer the "tumescent" fluid and aspirate the fat by whatever method he feels is best in your case. Many areas can be done at one time comfortably.

So do you want to be awake?

Is local really safer? Do you want your procedure done in one shot or broken up into separate multiple sessions? What you might save by having local anesthesia (not paying for the Anesthesiologist) will cost you by having to have surgery at another session. Is the motivation of the surgeon to do y our surgery under local really because it is safer or is it because he does not have the capability to do it under general anesthesia? If so he may not be a bonafide board certified Plastic Surgeon. Is the selling point of using a LAL or other such device, that you can have it done under local? Is it because you can be back to work in a few days, have little pain and get better results? These claims are mostly a marketing ploy to get patients to want the latest technology with no real regard to the skill and qualification of the physician offering it. Everyone wants the most cost effective procedure done that will give them the best results, safest anesthesia, least pain and bruising, the shortest recovery and minimal scarring. Well guess what? It is not the machine or the techniques that will guarantee any of these! As a world renown Plastic Surgeon from Rome Italy said "it's the idiot holding the cannula" that counts! I would bet Michelangelo with a 3 inch paint brush and water colors would do a better job painting the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, than a hundred so called artists with the best paint and brushes. There is no substitute for going to the most qualified surgeon and that doesn't mean the one with the newest gadget or biggest promises. It is a poor trade off to substitute technology for the skill and judgment of a good surgeon!

Your Consultation

During this visit you will first meet with our consultant, view several "before" and "after" photographs, and have all of your questions answered. You will be introduced to your surgeon, permitting you the opportunity to learn and discuss the technical aspects of the surgery you are interested in. At the time of your visit our staff will provide you with a price quote and scheduling information. We believe the quality of our service is foremost; however, we also recognize that cost is a valid concern to everyone. Upon request we can refer several finance companies to choose from. All you have to do is ask!

For a complimentary preliminary evaluation without having to leave the comforts of your home simply submit any photos of the areas of concern and attach them via e-mail for our surgeons to review. The photos would be most helpful if you can emulate the samples enclosed in our before and after sections. Please make them comparable in composition of the photos you see throughout our site. Email photos to info@oceansplasticsurgery.com and include a phone number and the best time of day for our consultant to contact you.

Have fun! We look forward to helping make your plastic surgery experience a happy and gratifying one!

Contact Dr. '90210' William P. Aiello, experienced plastic surgeon with plastic surgery centers in Los Alamitos and Newport Beach, CA specializing in various plastic & cosmetic surgery procedures.

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