In Office Liposuction: Fad or For Good?

What if there was an option to get rid of fatty tissue that diet and exercise can’t touch, in about an hour, without a trip to the hospital? In office liposuction may sound too good to be true, but it continues to be a great option for women looking to treat small pockets of fat, and is especially useful to reduce and sculpt stubborn areas like the lower abdomen (also referred to as a mons pubis reduction).

 

So is in office liposuction just a passing fad, or can be it be a viable alternative for patients looking for body sculpting in less time and with lower costs than traditional liposuction? Let’s take a look.

 

Team “Fad”: Demand Has Decreased

 

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, demand for cosmetic surgery procedures has decreased year over year for the past few years, a trend which has been attributed to the economic recession. Despite the downturn, however, recent polls show a higher approval rating of cosmetic surgery by young adults, and in 2011, liposuction took the top spot for most procedures performed, with over 300,000 cases between 2010 and 2011, representing a 13% uptick. Other things that might predict a further upswing: in office liposuction techniques, such as laser-assisted ProLipo, allow for cheaper, quicker options with less downtime. The laser helps to melt fat and tighten skin as it goes, for a better overall result.

 

Team “For Good”: Results Are Forever

 

One of the reasons liposuction is a worthy investment? Once fat cells are removed, the body does not replace them by creating new fat cells. While remaining fat cells can swell to a larger size if a healthy lifestyle is not maintained after the procedure, it is unlikely that you will see fat growth resume in the treated areas. The better technique your surgeon has, the better your results, so make sure your in office liposuction is performed by a trained cosmetic surgeon in an appropriate and accredited clinical setting.

 

Discuss with a Doctor

 

For women in Minnesota and beyond, Dr. Erhard is a board certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon with a practice emphasis in liposuction, particularly In Office Laser-Assisted ProLipo, as well as mons pubis reduction. If you are interested in learning more about what these procedures can do for you, email Dr. Erhard and her team at info@mngaclinic.com or read more about the procedures at http://mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/LiposuctionInOfficeProLipo.aspx.

A Beginner’s Guide to In Office Liposuction

Liposuction on an outpatient basis, in an ambulatory surgery center or an accredited clinical setting, is becoming the option of choice for patients looking for a less expensive and less time intensive option. Enter: in office liposuction. Suction away unwanted fat and sculpt and smooth out the silhouette in less time and for lower costs than traditional lipo. Not surprisingly, surgeons see an uptick in the number of patients interested in liposuction during the summer months, when scrutiny on the body is at an annual high. But no matter what season or how busy your schedule, in office liposuction can be a viable option and a wonderful solution for many women. 

 

What areas can be treated with in office liposuction? 

 

Technically, most areas of the body can be treated with in office liposuction, though the most popular include the lower abdomen (also referred to as a mons pubis reduction), the waist, the legs, the arms and even the chin. These are often the areas of a woman’s body where fat cells resistant to diet and exercise tend to accumulate. (We call them our trouble zones!) The good news is, the body does not generate new fat cells to replace the ones taken away during liposuction, so once removed, those rolls are gone for good.  

Can in office liposuction be done in place of a diet? 

The answer to this is a resounding “No.” Liposuction should never be used as a weight loss tool. In fact, patients should be relatively close to (or on their way to) their ideal weight range when they undergo the procedure. In office liposuction is unique in that a modest volume of cells can be removed in a single procedure (compared to up to five liters in traditional liposuction), further emphasizing its intended use as a targeted solution for stubborn pockets of fat rather than as a broad way to address body weight.  

What surgical techniques and tools will be used for in office liposuction? 

This depends on your doctor and their tools and techniques of choice. Options include Laser-Assisted ProLipo, which uses high-powered lasers to deliver energy to heat tissues and cause skin retraction, or tightening. This particular technique has been nicknamed “Lunchtime Lipo,” as it can be performed in an hour.   

For women in Minnesota and beyond, Dr. Erhard is a board certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon with a practice emphasis in liposuction and mons pubis reduction. If you are interested in learning more about what these procedures can do for you, email Dr. Erhard and her team at info@mngaclinic.com or read more about the procedures at http://mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/LiposuctionInOfficeProLipo.aspx.

Liposuction: 3 Myths Busted

Like many kinds of cosmetic surgery, liposuction is fraught with myths, from celebrity nightmares to unrealistic expectations. From advances in surgical techniques to new, non-surgical liposuction, the range of experience will only continue to increase. As you read about the procedure and make your way towards a decision about what’s right for you, here are three myths you may come across—and how to navigate your way through them as a smart, informed woman.   

“Lunchtime Lipo” doesn’t exist. Surgery is time intensive and involves a lot of downtime. 

False! Lunchtime lipo is a catchphrase coined to describe the outpatient procedure known as laser-assisted liposuction, or ProLipo. With this technique, a laser is used to melt the fat before it is removed. Patients report less post-operative discomfort, less bruising and a quicker return to normal activities. It’s minimally invasive and results include a slimmer appearance and tighter skin.

 

So you’re saying laser-assisted lipo offers the same results as traditional liposuction—but faster? 

This one’s tricky. For the right candidate, laser-assisted liposuction can be a wonderful alternative to traditional surgical techniques, and can save up to half the cost. With a combination approach of melting then removing the targeted cells, ProLipo can be performed in less than an hour and involves less downtime. Ideal candidates are slightly to moderately overweight and have realistic expectations. Talk to your doctor to see if this is the right choice for you.  

Liposuction can’t be done in conjunction with other surgical procedures.  

Not true. Many women undergo liposuction as part of a comprehensive surgical program, from mons pubis reduction to labiaplasty. Aesthetic procedures are never one size fits all, and should be tailored to your individual goals—talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.  

For women in Minnesota and beyond, Dr. Erhard is a board certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon with a practice emphasis in vaginal rejuvenation and mons pubis reduction. If you are interested in learning more about what this procedure can do for you, email Dr. Erhard and her team at info@mngaclinic.com or read more about the procedure at http://www.mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/LiposuctionInOfficeProLipo.aspx.

Liposuction vs. Lift: Which Is Right for You?

The common catchphrase is “junk in the trunk.” But for those of us who carry our extra weight out in front—and may be considering liposuction—the topic can be a bit more sensitive. Relax. The lower abdomen is a stubborn foe for many a woman, and often, even a rigid diet and exercise regimen won’t cut it. If you have decided to take the next step with surgical intervention for a mons pubis reduction, you may be wondering: liposuction or lift? Let’s break it down.  

Liposuction—What to Know  

 

Liposuction, known medically as suction assisted lipectomy, is a surgery in which a cannula is used to loosen and remove subcutaneous fat deposits. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss and good fitness, but rather a great way to address stubborn areas that remain unresponsive to lifestyle changes. A mons pubis reduction refers specifically to liposuction of the area between the pubis and the lower abdomen. When muscle tone is still strong and skin elasticity intact, liposuction can be the best way to contour this region and achieve a great aesthetic outcome.  

Lift—When to Choose 

If you recently lost a significant amount of weight, or experienced significant tissue stretching over a short period of time (think: pregnancy), a mini-abdominoplasty or mons lift may be a better choice. While liposuction only removes fat, a lift can tighten the underlying tissues of the area as well as remove excess skin, ensuring a better cosmetic outcome for women with poor muscle tone or loose, sagging skin. A lift does come with a small scar, but it will be placed low in the pubic region, out of sight in most underwear and bikini bottoms. 

Who to Ask—Which Is Right for You? 

For women in Minnesota and beyond, Dr. Erhard is a board certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon with a practice emphasis in vaginal rejuvenation and mons pubis reduction. If you are interested in learning more about what this procedure can do for you, email Dr. Erhard and her team at info@mngaclinic.com or read more about the procedure at http://www.mngaclinic.com/AestheticServices/LiposuctionInOfficeProLipo.aspx.