Liposuction holds a secure position as one of the most popular and successful body contouring procedures for both men and women. A minimally invasive treatment that achieves big results, liposuction is a very effective way to get rid of pockets of excess fat that are stubborn to the efforts of diet and exercise. Dr. Randall Craft performs this procedure to provide top-level results with liposuction in Phoenix, AZ.
Liposuction uses a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) to loosen fat cells, break them up, and suction them out of the body. It’s a time-tested treatment that greatly improves the appearance of the stomach, love handles, thighs, neck, arms, bra fat, and more. Liposuction is often paired with other procedures, such as a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, or breast surgery, to take the results to the next level with additional contouring.
Liposuction can remove excess fat from the stomach, back, arms, chin and neck, buttocks, hips, thighs, and even more areas. Some of the key benefits of the procedure include:
If you’re interested in undergoing liposuction in Phoenix , you may be a great candidate if you:
Those who have loose skin or cellulite do not usually make good liposuction candidates because the treatment could cause uneven or dimpled skin for them.
Liposuction in Phoenix is a minimally invasive outpatient surgery. It is performed with the patient under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on how many areas are being treated. About three to four areas can safely be addressed with one liposuction procedure.
The treatment will start with Dr. Craft making very small incisions at the areas to be treated. He will insert the cannula (the thin, hollow tube) into the incisions. The cannula has been designed to leave only the most minimal scarring possible, but the actual amount of scarring will depend on your skin quality and how many insertion sites are made. Any questions you have about scarring can be discussed with you during your consultation.
The cannula will loosen excess fat and break up targeted tissues, and a suction device that is attached to the cannula will then suction the fat away. The incisions will then be closed.
With this approach, a fluid containing lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline is introduced into the treated area to help facilitate effortless fat removal with minimal bruising or swelling.
This type of lipo relies on the power of ultrasound waves to emulsify the fat prior to removal. This is an excellent choice for eradicating stubborn fat in areas such as the upper back or male chest.
Also called SmartLipo, laser-assisted liposuction uses laser energy to liquefy the fat cells before suctioning them out. LAL is often the method of choice for addressing smaller areas and may also help to tighten the skin during treatment by stimulating collagen and elastin renewal.
Your exact amount of downtime and recovery details will depend on the areas that were treated, how much fat was removed during your procedure, and how quickly your specific body heals. Whether or not your liposuction in Phoenix was combined with another procedure will also factor into your recovery time.
In general, patients are able to return to non-strenuous work in about a week. You will be given a compression garment to wear for six weeks to help with swelling, healing, and contouring. You can expect to have swelling and bruising during recovery, and any discomfort you have typically decreases after a few days.
Don’t push yourself, but it’s important to walk around several times a day to increase circulation and help with healing during your recovery. Most patients should begin walking the day after their procedure. You will be given detailed home care instructions that will help your recovery go smoothly.
If you’re considering liposuction in Phoenix, please schedule a consultation with us. Dr. Randall O. Craft’s training enables him to provide patient-centric, compassionate care with an emphasis on safety. As a double board-certified, Harvard-trained surgeon, Dr. Craft combines his distinctive training with a sense of artistry that provides better outcomes for his patients. To schedule a consultation, please call or contact us online.
Thanks to Dr. Craft’s conservative and painstaking approach, scarring is typically quite minimal. Incisions are artfully placed in areas where they will be the least conspicuous. The openings for a cannula are much smaller than those used to perform a tummy tuck or other plastic surgery procedures, so the marks fade quicker. Medical-grade scar creams can be beneficial after liposuction as well.
Unfortunately, liposuction is mainly a fat removal procedure rather than a skin tightening one. If the patient has a good amount of elasticity, the skin will naturally retract after treatment. Those concerned about sagging skin can seek out one of our strategic plastic surgery procedures, such as abdominoplasty, a body lift, or a mommy makeover.
Most surgeons recommend resuming exercise within 3-6 weeks after lipo. Light physical activity such as walking can be restarted within 1-2 days. This can help boost circulation, reduce the risk of complications, and elevate your mood. The important thing is never to push yourself too hard and to just listen to your body as much as you can. You’ll gradually regain your strength and stamina, and by week 6, you’ll be able to perform heavy lifting and aerobic exercises.
Following a healthy diet and exercise regimen after liposuction is essential if you want to retain your newly sculpted physique. Don’t skip meals, and try to eat breakfast each morning to start your day off with protein. Instead of choosing packaged or processed foods, select nutritious options such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Eliminate sodas and high-sugar beverages as these can quickly exhaust your calorie limits. Stay properly hydrated and follow an exercise program that appeals to you and feels fun. Always try to take the stairs and choose to stay active rather than sedentary. Prioritize your sleep at night, as this can greatly assist with metabolism and a positive mood.
Once the fat cells are removed, they cannot grow back. However, fat can return to other untreated areas of the body, which is why it’s so important to manage your weight after liposuction. The more weight that you gain, the less likely you are to see your results, although you will always look better than if you had never undergone liposuction at all. Dr. Craft can talk with you about maintaining a healthy lifestyle after surgery so you can continue enjoying your sculpted, slim figure and enhanced confidence levels.
