What You Should Know About Liposuction

Before you consider undergoing any medical procedure, it is wise to know as much about the procedure as possible. That way, when you are ready to schedule a consultation to get the process started, you can have a general idea of what your expectations are. With that being said, here is a brief guide that can help you understand the basics of liposuction in Las Vegas a little better.

Liposuction is also called suction-assisted lipectomy or lipoplasty. It is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat that has collected in localized areas around the body. The goal of this procedure is to further tone and tighten a silhouette that is at or near the ideal body weight.

The Ideal Candidate

The following characteristics belong to the ideal candidate for liposuction in Las Vegas:

  • You are at or close to your ideal weight.
  • You have localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.
  • You are a non-smoker.
  • You have good skin elasticity.
  • You have positive, yet realistic expectations.

Consider This

Before you can truly set your heart on this procedure, your liposuction doctor is going to run a few tests to ensure that your body can handle the stress of the procedure.

That is not to say that you should worry about excessive risk. However, it is important to remember that any medical procedure that opens your body makes you vulnerable to contracting infections. The doctor is simply covering all the necessary bases to cover everyone involved.

If the doctor decides that all is well, you will likely be asked to stop taking certain medications that can interfere with the success of your surgery. This will probably be decreed about two weeks before your procedure.

One thing you want to remember is this: liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure. It is a plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure designed to sculpt and firm a body that has already gotten close to its ideal weight. That is because removing too much fat can result in skin ripples, contour irregularities and increase safety risks.

To see where you stand in relation to your dreams of the perfectly sculpted body, schedule a consultation with the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. One of the skilled plastic surgeons Las Vegas offers will answer any additional questions you have about the liposuction procedure. For more information about this and other plastic surgery Las Vegas procedures, call 702.410.9800.

How Does the Liposuction Procedure Work?

The Liposuction Procedure

Everyone deserves to have some idea of what they can expect from a medical procedure. If you have been thinking about having a liposuction procedure done in Las Vegas, here is a general guide for how the process works.

Step 1: Marks are made.

First, one of our Las Vegas plastic surgeons will mark all the areas that are to be treated with liposuction in this session. This is done so that the procedure can be done accurately and effectively.

Step 2: Anesthesia is given.

anesthesia from a board certified Las Vegas plastic surgeonNext, you will be given a medication that will make you comfortable while the procedure is being done. This medication can be general anesthesia, a local anesthetic, or intravenous sedation. It can also be a combination of these medications. You are welcomed to talk with your surgeon about what type of anesthesia will be best for you during your liposuction procedure.

Step 3: Incisions are made.

During this step, incisions about the size of a grain of rice will be made. This is where the cannula will enter you. It is possible that a technique called crisscrossing will be used to give your body the best shaping. Contouring just means that multiple incisions are made in the same area to eradicate the excess fat tissue in the most effective way.

Even with this crisscrossing technique, your Las Vegas plastic surgeons will do their best to make the incisions in a way that the resulting scars can be hidden. If you are concerned about where the scars will be, discuss this with your surgeon.

Step 4: Tumescent fluid is injected.

A very small cannula is inserted into your incisions in a process that is called infiltration. This is done to deliver the tumescent fluid that numbs the area that will be performed upon. It also makes the blood vessels in the area shrink so that there is a lowered risk for bleeding and bruising.

Step 5: Fat is removed.

A larger cannula is inserted into the same incisions to remove the fat. A plastic surgeon in Las Vegas will move the cannula back and forth to loosen and suction the fat. The fat travels down special tubing into a canister that collects the fat.

Step 6: Incisions are closed.

In a closed drainage procedure, the doctor will carefully close all the incisions with sutures. He or she may also place small drainage tubes to help with healing. There will also likely be the use of steri-strips to help the wound stay closed.

In an open drainage procedure, the doctor will not close the incisions. They will be allowed to drain openly. You can anticipate drainage for about two days following a liposuction procedure.

Step 7: Compression garments are used.

After your procedure is done, you will be fitted with compression garments that help to apply the necessary pressure to keep swelling down. These special undergarments are usually made of medical grade, Spanx-like material. Because of the compression, they will also help your skin shrink down to its new shape.

A Word of Caution

Just remember that this step-by-step guide is only a guide. Your procedure may include additional steps that are tailored to your bodies needs.

If you have any questions about how a liposuction procedure in Las Vegas is supposed to work, schedule a consultation with the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery.  For more information about scheduling a consultation for your liposuction procedure, please Call Us Today at 702.410.9800.

What Parts of My Body Can Receive Liposuction?

Liposuction Procedures offered by Reynolds Plastic Surgery

If you have been considering liposuction in the past, you may have been wondering exactly where on your body you can get the procedure done. In truth, the sky’s the limit. Still, Las Vegas plastic surgeons have compiled a list of the 10 most common areas on which liposuction is used as a solution for stubborn fat cells.

Abdomen

slim waistDepending on who you ask, liposuction in the abdominal area is the most common plastic surgery procedure to date. That’s because, even with proper diet and exercise, there is fat around the abdomen that just will not take the hint.  This is often paired with a traditional tummy tuck, however.

Belly Pooch

It is possible for fat in the abdomen to be localized in one area. This can most commonly be seen in people of normal weight with a stubborn fat pocket on the lower belly. By all definitions, this person is the ideal candidate for liposuction.

Love Handle

Whether you are male or female, fat deposits on the sides of the abdomen can be frustratingly stubborn. Liposuction in this area is often the solution for this problem that haunts even the most active people.

Muffin Top

This is just another term for the love handle. In some circles, it is considered a more severe version of the slightly padded love handle. That is because there is enough excess skin around the abdomen and lower back that it spills over the waistband of pants. When this happens, the lower body takes on a look very similar to the top of a muffin.

Bra Fat

This refers to the extra fat tissue that collects on the upper back. Depending on the severity of the condition, rolls can be present all the time or only when a bra is worn. If the skin has been stretched too far, a back lift might be needed to give the full contouring you are looking for. Just speak with one of our staff for more information regarding that.

Female Breasts

While rare, it is possible to treat overly large breasts with liposuction alone. This can only happen if the breasts in question are fatty and also perky. If there is any degree of sagginess or excess skin, it may be a better idea to consider a breast lift in addition to liposuction.

Arms

flabby arms need las vegas plastic surgeonsThis is another area that can usually be treated more effectively with an additional procedure. If flabbiness of the arm is because of excess fat and skin, then an arm lift should be considered as well.

Double Chin

This happens when there is extra fat and skin in the chin and neck that makes it look like you have two chins. If you still experience the sloping chin look even after weight loss, you are the perfect candidate for liposuction in this area.

Buffalo Hump

The buffalo hump is created when there is a deposit of fat that sits on the upper back and the neck. It is usually caused by a treatment of steroids that cause the body to create more fat cells than necessary. In many cases, a simple liposuction procedure will take care of this.

Male Breasts

Yes, men get liposuction as well. The gynecomastia surgery Las Vegas offers is used to remove enlarged male breasts that were caused by hormones, steroids or even drug use.

If you are dealing with stubborn fat in an area that is not on this list, schedule a consultation with experienced plastic surgeons Las Vegas to see what your options are. For more information about plastic surgery in Las Vegas, contact Reynolds Plastic Surgery at 702.410.9800.

Bye Bye Back Rolls

after back lift by las vegas plastic surgeonsSignificant weight loss is something to be celebrated. Your body is happier and your quality of life is increased when you are not carrying around excessive weight.

Unfortunately for some people, extreme weight loss means there is an accumulation of excess skin on your body. That loose and sagging skin can be around your abdomen, breasts, arms, pubic area and even your back. This guide, assembled with the help of expert Las Vegas plastic surgeons, will help you understand a solution for the presence of back rolls and folds.

The Upper Body Lift

To address those frustrating back rolls and skin folds, you can choose to undergo an upper body lift. This is sometimes also called a back lift or a bra line back lift.

This plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure is done by removing the excess skin on the upper back that is creating the folds and creases that are keeping you from enjoying your new body.

When the incision is made, considerations are made to try to hide the scar as much as possible. For men, the scar will be visible when you’re shirtless. For women, the incision will be made so that the scar can be hidden underneath most bra and swimsuit styles.

Additionally, it is not uncommon for a patient to undergo a liposuction procedure in addition to a back lift. It becomes possible to remove more skin when liposuction is done at the same time as the removal of the extra skin.

Benefits

This procedure is beneficial for a number of different reasons. First, the removal of the excess skin makes it less likely for moisture and sweat to collect between the folds. That means there is a significantly reduced likelihood of rashes and various skin infections.

Another benefit is that you will be able to feel much more confident in your clothes after the procedure. Without the excess skin and folds, you will no longer have to hide your body behind loose fitting clothes when you have worked so hard to lose the weight.

Just remember to speak with one of the Las Vegas plastic surgeons about possible complications. With every procedure, there is a chance that something may go awry. So, during your consultation, make sure you bring up anything that you may be concerned about. The more thoroughly you discuss your concerns before the procedure, the more you can trust the success of your healing after the procedure.

Schedule a consultation with the surgeons of Reynolds Plastic Surgery to say bye bye to your back rolls. For more information about back lifts in Las Vegas, call 702.410.9800.

Recovering Post- Tummy Tuck

After your tummy tuck procedure, there are a few practices you want to follow to ensure your best possible recovery. This guide will explain some of the best practices to care for your incisions, manage your pain and more.

Care For Your Incisions

During your abdominoplasty, one of the skilled Las Vegas plastic surgeons will make an incision that may reach all the way from one hip bone to the other. This just depends on the type of tummy tuck procedure you undergo. To properly care for that incision, you want to follow these suggestions:

  • Wait to remove your dressings over your incisions for about 24 hours. Then, shower. After a shower, blot your incisions (still covered with the steri-strips) dry with a clean towel. If your plastic surgeon provides different instructions, follow those instead.
  • Keep your incision covered with clean dressings for about one week after your procedure.
  • Don’t remove your steri-strips. They protect your incisions from dirt and infection. Eventually, they will fall off on their own.
  • As a general rule, avoid still water (like baths and pools) for about two weeks after your procedure.
  • If you were given a compression garment, wear it all times unless you are showering. Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to remove the garment for good.

Manage Pain

Following any plastic surgery procedure, patients often experience some sort of pain. Manage your pain after your abdominoplasty with these tips:

  • For the first 48 hours, you are likely to experience the most pain. Take the pain medications prescribed by one of the Las Vegas plastic surgeons as instructed for the best results. It may be a good idea to take the medications with foods like crackers or soups to avoid feeling nauseous.
  • Avoid over the counter pain medications for at least two weeks following your procedure to prevent excess drainage and bruising.
  • The compression garment will relieve some of the pain because it offers support to the abdomen which has been weakened by surgery. Just remember not to make it too tight; you can accidentally reduce blood flow and inhibit healing.

Return To Activities

You will be limited in what activities you can participate in for some time after your plastic surgery Las Vegas procedure. These suggestions will give you a general idea of when it is safe to resume your normal daily behaviors. Of course, you want to follow the tips:

  • Don’t lift, push or pull anything that weighs more than five pounds for about six weeks. You don’t want to apply too much pressure and stress to your incisions that could complicate their healing.
  • Don’t drive until you are totally pain-free without the assistance of pain medications.
  • Check with your doctor about the best time to return to work after your procedure.
  • You can take assisted showers after 24 hours.
  • Don’t sleep on your stomach until all the pain has gone away. Until then, sleep in an assisted position with two or three pillows behind your head and two under your knees. This will also make it easier for you to get up once you wake.

Now that you are prepared for life after your abdominoplasty, schedule a consultation with the professionals at Reynolds Plastic Surgery. For more information about these experienced Las Vegas plastic surgeons, contact 702.410.9800.