Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to contour and sculpt various areas of the body by removing unwanted fat. Liposuction is well suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have isolated pockets of fat that cause certain areas of their body to appear disproportionate. These localized fat deposits may sometimes be an inherited trait and typically do not respond to dieting or exercise.

In large part because of the quality of the results following liposuction and its ability to treat areas that are difficult to affect by other means, liposuction has become the most popular cosmetic surgery performed.According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, over 380,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2003.

Liposuction is a specialty of Dr. Shuster’s.He has written on the subject and lectured to other plastic surgeons at national and local meetings on this topic.He places an emphasis on safety and quality while achieving optimum results for his patients.

The technique that Dr. Shuster uses can best be described as Liposculpture. It is a highly refined method of sculpting tissue to achieve the desired body contour. To accomplish this, Dr. Shuster uses a variety of methods which will best serve the individual patient’s unique features. These include the Tumescent Technique, Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL), and Ultrasonic Liposuction (UAL). By using these various methods, Dr. Shuster is able to essentially sculpt the tissue into the desired contour.

You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you have excess fat or desire contouring in any of the following areas:

• Abdomen and Waist
• Inner and Outer Thighs
• Cheeks, Jowls and Neck
• Hips and Buttocks
• Inner Knees
• Upper Arms

Liposuction should not be considered a substitute for weight loss. Rather, the best results are obtained when it is undertaken in conjunction with a commitment to a healthy diet and a regular routine of exercise.

Liposuction can be performed on several areas of the body at the same time, and, in certain cases, can also be done in conjunction with other aesthetic procedures. Because of individual physical factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from liposuction. Dr. Shuster will take into consideration your unique characteristics in determining the most effective treatment for you.

To help determine if you are an appropriate candidate for liposuction, please fill out our Online Consultation Form. As with all information in our South Florida office, which is conveniently located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, it is our policy to keep any information provided secure and confidential.

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The Procedure

Dr. Shuster performs liposuction with patients under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.Through few inconspicuously placed incisions, he first infuses the tissue with a dilute solution (Tumescent Technique) and then uses fine cannulas to remove the fat. For appropriate candidates, he will use Ultrasonic and Power Assisted Liposuction techniques.

Recovery

Recovering from liposuction varies from patient to patient and upon the extent of the procedure. There is always swelling that develops after surgery and often some bruising as well. Following surgery our patients are given a light compressive garment to wear over the treated area. This is worn continuously for the first two days and then most of the time for 2 to 4 weeks. Bruises usually resolve within 7 to 10 days. The swelling resolves gradually. By the third week following surgery, the swelling has diminished enough for the results to start to show. However, the results will continue to improve as the remainder of the swelling resolves.

Results

The results following liposuction are among the most satisfying in plastic surgery.As the swelling subsides the patient’s new shape becomes increasingly apparent.As there is a fixed number of fat cells in adults, this change is permanent.It is important to keep in mind that while this change is permanent, gaining a significant amount of weight will jeopardize the results.

Follow Up

Following a liposuction procedure, Dr. Shuster will regularly see patients to help ensure a smooth recovery and follow their progress for an extended period. Dr. Shuster and his staff in South Florida are committed to his patients’ care and well being and are available to patients for any future needs they may have.

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