LIPOSUCTION

Simply put, liposuction is the surgical removal of excess fat with a suction device. Most of the fatty tissue in your body sits in the subcutaneous layer, which is sandwiched between your skin and muscles. This layer also contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that provide structure and support to your skin. Dr. Zoran Potparic is a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs liposuction in Fort Lauderdale to get rid of areas of unwanted fat without damaging surrounding structures. He offers several different techniques that can make fat removal easier: traditional or “mechanical,” ultrasound, laser, and water jet.

BEFORE & AFTER LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction results vary between patients. To see more real patients’ results, view our photo gallery.

 

            MECHANICAL LIPOSUCTION

Traditional liposuction is more technically known as mechanical liposuction. The doctor moves a handheld cannula forward and backward breaking up the fat deposits (fat cells) into small particles that can be pulled out through the cannula. The breaking-up process is known as avulsion. 

 A newer, electrical-powered device has a fast-oscillating cannula tip that moves back and forth or side to side mechanically breaks up the fat tissue. With this technique, the liquified fat is removed simultaneously using vacuum aspiration to which the cannula is attached.

Liposuction Details:

• Price estimate for liposuction: $1,500 – $2,500 per area, average cost is $4,500+
• Type of anesthesia: twilight or general
• Duration of surgery: 2 to 4 hours
• Surgical facility: AAAA-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center, outpatient surgery center, hospital
• Recovery time: 5 to 7 days
• Discomfort: mild to moderate

ULTRASOUND-BASED LIPOSUCTION

Another form of liposuction is ultrasound-based. This uses sound energy that travels in waves. These high energy waves cause a probe to vibrate and liquefy specially targeted fatty tissue on contact. A specially designed suction device removes liquefied fat with a traditional cannula, preserving the surrounding connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. 

It is important to leave other tissues in place because if the blood vessels and nerves aren’t damaged, you experience minimal bruising and pain. Preserving connected tissues enhances healing and promotes good skin retraction during your liposuction recovery.

LASER-ASSISTED LIPOSUCTION

Laser technology uses light to break up fat deposits. Once liquefied, fat is removed using vacuum suction through the same cannula. This is a much slower procedure than mechanical and ultrasound liposuction and is used to treat limited areas of fat deposits.

There is ongoing significant research into a laser’s ability to improve efficacy and diminish damage to the skin, blood vessels, and nerves.

JET-FORCE LIPOSUCTION

For this liposuction technique, a doctor will use a jet of saline solutions to break up the fat and liquefy it. 

This is the only type of liposuction that doesn’t also make use of tumescent fluid infiltration for removing fat, numbing the treated area, and shrinking blood vessels to minimize bleeding and bruising. The amount of fluid injected into the treated area will depend on the surgeon’s preference and the technique.

BODY CONTOURING WITH SKIN EXCISION

Body contouring surgery is performed to correct loose and sagging skin and irregular contours of the abdomen, upper and lower back, buttocks, thighs (inner and outer), and upper arms. This procedure may be done with or without liposuction. The location of the incision, its length, and its pattern depend on the excess skin to be removed as well as personal preference and the surgeon’s experience. Incisions are usually placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits.

The type of anesthesia, duration of surgery, facility, recovery time, and pain level will depend on the extent of the selected procedures.

• Type of anesthesia: twilight or general
• Duration of surgery: 2 to 8 hours
• Surgical facility: AAAA-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center, outpatient surgery center, hospital
• Recovery time: 1 to 3 weeks
• Discomfort: mild to moderate

LOOK INTO LIPO IN FORT LAUDERDALE

Dr. Zoran Potparic offers free consultations and welcomes patients interested in quality liposuction in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and all of South Florida to come to him with their questions. Before and after pictures are available for visual reference during the consultation. For more information, or to set up your free consultation, call (954) 779-2777 or contact us online.