LIPOSUCTION (Lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipoplasty)
Liposuction is the most frequently performed cosmetic procedure in the United States of America. This procedure has become increasingly important for both women and men. “Figure faults” and unsightly bulges can often be removed so that clothes fit more comfortably, there is an improvement in body image, and a significant improvement in a patient’s overall well-being. Examples of this successful procedure can be found in the photo gallery.LIPOSUCTION SURGERY CONSULTATIONS
At the initial consultation for liposuction, a pertinent medical and family history will be taken, with particular emphasis on family history of fat distribution, weight fluctuation, longevity of figure faults and unsightly bulges, and other issues relating to the patient’s concerns. You will see a film that outlines the procedure of liposuction. Dr. Vogt or Dr. Ness and their nursing staff will then meet with you and explain the surgical procedure in a personalized fashion.
All efforts will be made to answer the questions you may have regarding liposuction. You are encouraged to bring a friend or a significant other with you to be present during the discussion and the question-and-answer phase. After this, your surgeon will perform a focused physical examination addressing important issues such as the size of the fat bulge, the status of the skin around the fatty bulge, muscle status, and the amount of fat to be removed.
There are numerous factors that need to be evaluated in liposuction surgery. Patients basically fall into five categories of suitable candidates. In the excellent category is a young patient who has smooth skin with no cellulite and a fairly small fatty bulge to remove. The very-good category may involve a patient in his or her 30s or 40s who is in good physical condition and has a slightly larger bulge to remove with perhaps a small amount of rippling of the skin. A good-category patient might have more cellulite and a larger bulge to remove and might be older. Fair and poor categories are often patients who have had major weight fluctuations or may have suffered morbid obesity at some time and have lose skin with poor muscle tone. All five categories can be helped as long as the patient has realistic expectations. Our staff will make every effort to make sure that patients are realistic in their expectations.
A detailed discussion is held with the patient at the time of the initial office consultation as to medications that need to be avoided, time required from work if undergoing liposuction surgery, and level of activity following the surgical procedure. The patient will also meet with the surgical and scheduling director who will outline costs of the operative procedure, which will be all-inclusive of the surgical procedure, garments that will be necessary, the operating room, and anesthesia charges.
LIPOSUCTION TECHNIQUES
Dr. Vogt has been performing liposuction surgery since 1985. He has treated more than 10,000 areas in that time. He was one of the first surgeons in the USA to utilize ultrasound techniques and was one of the investigators for the Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL) device that is the most commonly utilized technique in the USA. Dr. Vogt also utilized the Pulsed Ultrasonic technique (VASER) after it was first introduced in the USA. He is very familiar with all of these techniques. Wetting solutions are utilized in the surgical procedure to reduce the amount of bleeding and also to significantly reduce the amount of postoperative pain and swelling. Appropriate garments are used postoperatively. Dr. Ness uses a variety of techniques to customize the approach to each patient’s needs including ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL), power-assisted liposuction (PAL) or traditional suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL).
THE DAY OF LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
Liposuction surgery requires anywhere from 3-6 hours of preoperative planning, operating time, and recovery. During the preoperative phase, the patient will meet with your surgeon and a nurse to ensure that all questions have been answered before proceeding with the surgery. Markings will be made with the patient’s participation and the patient will be asked to review each of the markings with a large mirror to be sure that no area has been missed.
The board certified medical doctor anesthesiologist (MDA) at Wayzata Plastic Surgery will meet with the patient and carefully explain what type of an anesthetic will be utilized for the operative procedure. The M.D.A. will be present throughout the entire operative procedure to ensure the greatest degree of comfort and safety for the patient. After the liposuction surgery, a garment is applied to the treated areas and the patient is transferred to the Recovery Room in the care of a registered nurse who has Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD FOLLOWING LIPOSUCTION SURGERY
A responsible adult must be available to transport the patient following surgery and also be available for the first 24 hours to assist the patient getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. A detailed set of instructions will accompany the patient and the Recovery Room nursing staff will review all of these instructions carefully. A nurse from Wayzata Surgery Center will call the patient the evening of surgery to check postoperative status and answer questions. If any questions or concern arise outside of our normal business hours, our answering service will be able to contact Dr. Vogt or Dr. Ness for you.
You will return to the office for a recheck appointment approximately 7-10 days after your procedure and/or as your surgeon recommends.
LONG-TERM FOLLOWUP IN LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURES
You will be required to wear a garment post-operatively for five days and nights without removing the garment. You will not be able to shower or bathe in that time and you will need to rely on sponge baths. It is recommended that you refrain from having any pets in bed for up to one week following the surgical procedure to prevent contamination and possible infection. After five days, you will be able to remove the garment to shower, but continue to wear it day and night up until two weeks following the surgical procedure. In the second week following the surgical procedure, you will be asked to return to have your sutures removed and to start massage and ultrasound therapy. This is included in your surgical fee. Level of exercise will be carefully explained on your postoperative follow-up visits or at the time of your massage and ultrasound therapy. All of this is designed to carry out the mission of Wayzata Plastic Surgery to make your cosmetic surgical procedure a truly warm and gratifying adventure.