Traditional Liposuction procedure
Liposuction may be performed under general anesthesia while you are asleep, or under local anesthesia where the targeted area is numbed and you remain awake. This all depends on patient desires as well as safety considerations. While some patients want to be awake for their liposuction, only very small areas can be safely done under local anesthesia. Dr. Sorokin will often recommend sedation or general anesthesia to get a better, safer result. Dr. Sorokin first injects tumescent solution into the fatty layer to inhibit bleeding, control pain, and cause the surrounding tissues to temporarily swell and become firmer.
Through tiny incisions, he inserts a narrow tube or “cannula” under the skin and vacuums out the excess fatty tissue. After eliminating excess fat, the incisions are closed by applying a compression dressing or bandage to the area in order to prevent bleeding, reduce swelling, and provide support. The surgery itself lasts between 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the amount of fat to be removed.
There are a lot of myths about what happens before, during, and after a liposuction procedure. Dr. Sorokin uses several different liposuction techniques to enhance traditional liposuction. His patients find that these new procedures result in less pain and can speed recovery. During your consultation, Dr. Sorokin will discuss with you which method or methods are best for your body type and for the treatment areas. In almost every case, patients are amazed by how smooth and even their skin appears after full recovery from the procedure. Women who visit Dr. Sorokin for breast augmentation frequently combine it with liposuction for a more comprehensive body enhancement.
VASER liposuction
The VASER is an ultrasound assisted liposuction technique. Sound waves are used to disrupt fat cells prior to aspiration of fat like is done during traditional liposuction. This two pronged technique is extremely strong and can remove significant volumes of fat. VASER liposuction is also one of the most effective ways to eliminate isolated areas of fat from the face and body.
Benefits of ultrasonic liposuction
Ultrasonic liposuction is desirable because it provides smooth, attractive results with minimal recovery time. This advanced liposuction technology is especially effective for:
- Removing large volumes of fat from common trouble spots like the abdomen, hips, and thighs
- Enhancing removal of dense or fibrous fat deposits
- Targeting fat while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected
- Improving areas already treated with liposuction
As with all liposuction techniques, you should be at or near your ideal body weight before undergoing ultrasonic liposuction. It should not be used as a weight loss method.
Laser liposuction
Smartlipo is a convenient alternative to Dr. Sorokin’s other types of liposuction for patients. It can be used on any area of the body where traditional liposuction is performed, such as the stomach, hips and thighs, upper arms, and chin.
The procedure offers:
- Less invasive surgery than traditional methods
- Minimal downtime and comfortable recovery for most patients
- Treatment of fat deposits that are too small for traditional methods
- Tightening of the skin by encouraging collagen production
The laser-assisted procedure is ideal for patients who are in their normal weight range but who have small stubborn areas of fat that won’t respond to diet and exercise. Laser liposuction is not meant as a weight loss method—it is first and foremost a body contouring procedure that can subtly slim and reshape common areas where fat tissue forms.