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About Liposuction
High-definition liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that sculpts and contours the body by removing unwanted fat to create a more athletic or defined look. This procedure involves liposuction of the body using advanced technology and precise surgical techniques. The degree of definition or sculpting that we perform can be tailored to your body and your goals. Almost any part of the body can be targeted with high-definition liposuction, but we most commonly sculpt the waist from the front and the back, which many refer to as “360 liposuction.”
The technology available for liposuction has changed tremendously over time. This is truly a constantly evolving field, and we take pride in using the most up-to-date technology in the operating room for your procedure.
Vaser®
Vaser is ultrasonic energy that is delivered in a minimally invasive technique through tiny liposuction incisions. The energy from Vaser liquifies or melts your fat, which makes the liposuction part of your surgery smoother and less traumatic on your body. Vaser is excellent at releasing scar tissue, so it is a wonderful tool to use with patients who have had previous liposuction or tummy tuck. Vaser is also amazing to help with etching or sculpting a more athletic or high-definition look.
MicroAire® power-assisted liposuction (PAL):
MicroAire is the liposuction device that I primarily use to perform liposuction. Most liposuction that is performed now is power-assisted, meaning we use a device that rotates to help remove fat more efficiently and uniformly. For you, this means less time under anesthesia and smoother, more even liposuction results.
Renuvion®
Renuvion is an energy device that uses radiofrequency and plasma energy to target skin tightening. This device is one of the most powerful devices we have available for skin tightening. It is a great option if you already have some looseness to your skin, or if we are treating an area that is more likely to have loose skin after liposuction (such as the upper arms or inner thighs). It is beautiful to target loose skin or bra rolls on the back. It can also be paired with a tummy tuck on someone who has thin or loose skin and is looking for an additional way to improve the skin quality.
BodyTite®
BodyTite is a minimally invasive energy device that uses radiofrequency to target skin tightening. It is similar to Renuvion in that it is radiofrequency energy and is often paired with liposuction. But it differs in that it can be used in certain areas without the need for general anesthesia, such as the neck, bra bulge, or banana rolls. This device is one of the most powerful devices we have available for skin tightening. It is a great option if you already have some looseness to your skin, or if we are treating an area that is more likely to have loose skin after liposuction (such as the upper arms or inner thighs). It is beautiful to target loose skin or bra rolls on the back. It can also be paired with a tummy tuck on someone who has thin or loose skin and is looking for an additional way to improve the skin quality. BodyTite can also be used as an alternative to a breast lift to tighten loose skin on the breasts in the right patient.
FaceTite®
FaceTite is a minimally invasive energy device that uses radiofrequency to target skin tightening. It can be used to tighten the lower face and neck without the need for general anesthesia. It can also be paired with surgical procedures that are performed in the operating room, such as a face and neck lift, to provide additional skin tightening.
Expert Insights into Liposuction
Behind the scenes with Dr. Tehrani
During your consultation, Dr. Tehrani will examine you and review the options that will best address your goals. For many patients, we turn to a combination of the devices to create the outcome you are looking for. There are so many details involved with liposuction that come together to give you natural results. It is a combination of having the right tools and also having the right technique. Our goal for liposuction is to create beautiful and natural contours. The days of just aiming for a “flat tummy” are over. We have learned the importance of creating natural shadows, dips and valleys, and curves that mimic the natural shape of the human body.
High-def or high-definition liposuction (HD lipo) is a term used to describe liposuction that is performed to create a more athletic or defined look. These energy devices are particularly helpful with high-definition liposuction. Almost any part of the body can be targeted with high-definition liposuction, but we most commonly sculpt the waist from the front and the back, which many refer to as “360 liposuction.” With this technique, we liposuction the abdomen, waist, upper and lower back, and flanks in order to contour the entire waistline. High-definition liposuction can also be used to create a more athletic or sculpted look to other areas, such as the arms, shoulders, or chest. High-definition liposuction is often paired with fat grafting to the buttocks or breasts.
Preparing For Liposuction
Choosing to have liposuction is a big decision, and we understand that there are many concerns that go along with it. An important part of planning for your surgery is having a clear understanding of the recovery process. Dr. Tehrani will let you know how much time off work, how much time of no driving, and the restrictions on activity and heavy lifting so that you will have the time to heal appropriately. We will let you know what kind of help you will need at home so that you can prepare adequately. It is very important to us that you have a clear understanding of your recovery and have a good support system in place to help you after surgery.
We will do our best to understand what you are looking for and communicate with you what we can achieve. We encourage you to bring in photos of liposuction outcomes that you like or do not like so that we can be sure that we will meet your goals.
We will complete a detailed consultation that includes a thorough medical history and a physical examination. This will allow us to be sure that your health is optimized for your surgery and that we are creating a plan that is customized for you, your body, and your goals. We will review any medications that need to be stopped before surgery, as well as vitamins and supplements that we recommend after surgery to optimize your healing.
Dr. Tehrani encourages patients to be close to their goal weight leading up to surgery (or within 10-15lbs). Large fluctuations in your weight after surgery can affect your overall look and long-term results. We also encourage patients to be at a healthy weight prior to their surgery. Patients who are obese (BMI 30 or greater) or smokers are at significantly higher risk of complications from anesthesia, wound healing complications, or postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). To minimize these risks, we may require that you lose weight prior to your surgery. If you smoke or use any nicotine products, we will require that you stop for a minimum of 6 weeks before and after your procedure. Since the surgeries that we are performing are entirely elective, our goal is to focus on your safety and minimize complications.
Dr. Tehrani understands that the decision to have cosmetic surgery can be scary and stressful. Our goal is to provide you with the information that you need to plan ahead and feel comfortable with your decision to pursue surgery. This is a fun and exciting time, and we will be with you every step of the way on your journey.
What are the Steps of a Liposuction Procedure?
By the time your surgery day arrives, you should feel ready and comfortable with the plan. Of course, you may be nervous. That is expected! We will do our best to keep you calm and comfortable throughout the process. Every member of our team is exceptionally trained and dedicated to ensuring excellent patient care. It is our goal to walk you into the operating room with love and care so that you are relaxed as you are placed under anesthesia.
To ensure your comfort and safety, we typically perform liposuction under general anesthesia. Your surgery can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and our surgical plan. Dr. Tehrani is precise and detail-oriented during your surgery, and we focus 100% on you. We will carefully mark the areas that we will contour with liposuction before the surgery.
During your surgery, we will infuse a numbing solution into the tissue called tumescent fluid. This fluid allows us to safely perform your surgery while controlling your pain and bleeding while you are asleep. We will carefully and gently contour your body with liposuction and whatever other energy devices we may be using. We strongly believe that a gentle and careful approach in the operating room leads to an easier recovery and better results.
Your surgery is performed in a state-of-the-art facility that is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) to provide the highest standard of patient care and safety. Since 1979, AAAHC has been a leader in accrediting outpatient (ambulatory) surgery centers and ensuring that these facilities provide the highest level of patient care.
What to Expect from Liposuction Recovery?
The recovery will vary depending on how many areas we are treating with liposuction, your anatomy, and your goals. We will give you specific recommendations based on our plan for you. Generally, we recommend that you plan to take 1-2 weeks off work and 1 week off from driving. You will need someone at home with you full-time for a few days up to 1 week after surgery. If you have young children at home, be sure that you have adequate help at home for the first 1 week. Depending on how much surgery we are doing, the first week after surgery can be challenging, as most people are not used to needing help at home. By 2-3 weeks, most patients feel very much like themselves.
You can start light cardio (such as walking or using a stationary bike) at around 1-2 weeks if you feel up to it. You can resume more strenuous activity (such as running, high-impact cardio, weight lifting, engaging your arms and chest) at around 4-6 weeks. You can shower the day after surgery and can typically be submerged in water (the pool, spa, or ocean) at around 4-6 weeks.
Our gentle surgical technique, along with a clear postoperative medication schedule, should make the discomfort after surgery very tolerable. In the areas where we perform liposuction, you may feel burning, stinging, numbness, tingling, or sharp/shooting pains. These sensations are very prominent in the first few weeks to months and will gradually lessen. Typically, by one year after surgery, you will have normal sensation in these areas.
We will send you home wearing a compression garment, which you will wear full-time (day and night) for at least 6 weeks. Once you are ready to wear a different garment, Dr. Tehrani will let you know and give you recommendations for other garments to purchase. Most patients wear compression full-time for about 2-3 months and on an as-needed basis after that.
Postoperative massage (lymphatic massage) after liposuction is very important to help with swelling and healing. Our team will show you how to massage yourself; however, most patients will benefit from professional postoperative massage.
Keep in mind that healing from liposuction is a process, and it takes time to see your final results. Most patients begin to appreciate their surgical results at about 6-8 weeks after surgery, as a lot of the surgical swelling has gone down at that point. However, you will have some swelling present for 6-12 months after surgery.
A healthy lifestyle will optimize your results. It is important that you are eating a healthy (high protein, low sodium) diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising (when you feel up to it). Your results are only as good as your habits. The fat that is removed with liposuction is permanently gone; however, if you gain significant weight after surgery, you will not have optimal results. You may weigh more in the first few weeks after surgery, and this is typically swelling or “water weight.” We recommend you wait until 6 weeks after surgery to worry about the number you see on the scale.
Dr. Tehrani will continue to follow up with you for 1 year after surgery to ensure that you are healing properly and in love with your results.
Maintaining Surgical Results
Recovery treatments, Q&As, and educational videos
Whether you’ve just had a procedure or are planning one, this is your go-to resource for safeguarding your investment. Discover practical recovery guidelines, watch step-by-step video tutorials, and get answers from our experienced surgeons. From day one post-op care to long-term maintenance tips, learn how to keep your results looking remarkable for years to come.
Extend Your TransformationYour Private Consultation
Dr. Ali Tehrani is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon known for his advanced expertise in body sculpting and patient-focused care. As a leader in combining cutting-edge technologies like VASER, Renuvion, and BodyTite, Dr. Tehrani is dedicated to delivering natural, refined results. Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and discover the treatment options best suited for you.
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