Liposuction On the Rise in NYC

Liposuction is one of the more common procedures done in cosmetic surgeon offices in NYC and across the country. Every year, more than 400,000 of these procedures are done in the United States. While it is no substitution for diet and exercise, liposuction has helped many Americans achieve a more desirable look by suctioning away unwanted and unnecessary fat deposits. Generally speaking, liposuction is for body contouring, not weight loss.

A study of 209 liposuction patients between 1999 and 2003 found that 43 percent of individuals had a modest weight gain of five to ten pounds after the procedure (mostly because they did not comply with doctor recommendations to modify diet and increase activity). Even so, 80 percent of the patients were very happy with their results and said they’d recommend the procedure to a friend.

Dr. Thomas W. Loeb, a practitioner of liposuction in NYC, says his patient satisfaction rate is actually much higher.

How is fat removed using liposuction?

Dr. Loeb will discuss which type of liposuction procedure would be best for you. Different techniques include:

• Laser liposuction (CoolLipo™, SlimLipo™, Smartlipo™) – Laser energy is used to liquefy fat before suctioning.
• LipoSelection® – Ultrasound energy breaks down fat, without bruising as much.
• Tumescent liposuction – A mixture of lidocaine, epinephrine and saline is injected into the target area to prevent fluid loss (compared to the outdated “dry” technique.)
• Super-wet liposuction – Following general anesthetic, three times’ less fluid is used in the fat removal process, which lowers the amount of blood loss.
• Power-assisted Liposuction – Ultrasound is used to remove fat cells, along with a power-assisted cannula that moves at a speed of 5,000 pulses per minute, which yields quicker recovery and less pain.
• Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction – An ultrasound wand (cannula) is used to liquefy and remove fat, without requiring a suction device.

Where do people get liposuction?

The thighs and abdomen are the most common sites for liposuction treatment, but the procedure can also be done on:

• Cheeks, chin, and neck
• Hips and buttocks
• Upper arms
• Back
• Male breasts
• Love handles
• Calves and ankles
• Inner knees

Is liposuction safe?

Liposuction is a very safe and effective procedure, but only in the hands of a competent practitioner. In the wrong hands, the results can occasionally be disastrous and life-threatening. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported five liposuction-related deaths in New York City from 1993 to 1998. Three patients suffered slowed heart rate and blood pressure as a complication of lidocaine anesthesia. One patient died of a fluid overdose, and another patient suffered a blood clot.

In tragic cases such as these, patients often rely on inexperienced, untrained, or uncertified practitioners who seduce them with big promises and cut-rate prices. But as with many things in life: If it sounds too good to be true, it most certainly is.

A good practitioner of liposuction in NYC will sit down with prospective patients for a consultation prior to agreeing to perform the procedure. A good liposuction candidate has excellent skin tone and elasticity, as well as impeccable circulatory and immune systems. Patients should be over the age of 18 as well.

Liposuction is especially effective at treating conditions such as lymphedema, gynecomastia, lipodystrophy syndrome, and abnormalities caused by extreme weight loss. The results are subtle, but satisfying. For more information on liposuction in NYC, contact the Fifth Avenue office of Dr. Thomas W. Loeb at 347-706-1073.