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Liposuction in Birmingham AL

Reduce Areas of Stubborn, Unwanted Fat

Liposuction model

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body. The procedure is typically used to contour the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and other areas where diet and exercise alone have not been successful.

Liposuction with Birmingham, Alabama cosmetic surgeons William Hedden MD, Stephen Gunn MD and Joshua Halka MD provides long-lasting results as long as patients maintain a healthy weight and a good overall level of fitness.

Liposuction can help you achieve a slimmer and more proportional body shape, ultimately going a long way to enhance your self-image. Many patients choose body contouring with our distinguished physicians because of their commitment to outstanding results and a high level of patient safety and satisfaction.

Liposuction Cost: $3,800 first area, $1,200 each additional area.

Liposuction Treatment Areas

Liposuction may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the:

Liposuction before and after back and thighs
Back and Thighs Liposuction
Liposuction before and after abdomen and thighs
Abdomen and Thighs Liposuction
Liposuction before and after chest and abdomen
Chest and Abdomen Liposuction
Liposuction before and after face and neck
Face and Neck Liposuction

Liposuction Candidates

If you are bothered by excess fat deposits located anywhere on your body that don't respond to diet or exercise, liposuction may be right for you. Ideal candidates for liposuction are:

Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction or tummy tuck.

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Liposuction works for people of normal weight who have some extra fat. If you have firm, elastic skin, you will have better results. Skin that is soft and thin from stretch marks, weight loss or natural aging will not reshape as well. You may need more surgeries to remove and tighten extra skin. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite.

Your Liposuction Consultation

The success and safety of your liposuction procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You'll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

During your liposuction consultation, be prepared to discuss:

Your plastic surgeon will also:

Liposuction Risks and Safety

Each patient must decide if the benefits of liposuction will achieve their goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. The risks of liposuction include:

Liposuction risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all of your concerns about risks with your plastic surgeon. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks.

Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when large amounts, usually more than 5 liters of fat, are suctioned.

Preparing for Liposuction

Liposuction procedures are performed at our accredited Outpatient Surgery Facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

Prior to liposuction surgery, you may be asked to:

Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a hollow stainless steel tube, called a cannula, which is inserted through small incisions in the skin. The cannula is then used to suction out unwanted fat from specific areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks.

Laser- or ultrasound-assisted liposuction liquefies the fat before it is removed from the body. These techniques may offer some advantages, such as sedation rather than general anesthesia, less trauma to the site and smoother skin in the end.

Liposuction is performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

Incisions

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. First, diluted local anesthesia is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. A thin hollow tube, or cannula, is then inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion. The dislodged fat is suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.

Techniques

  • Traditional liposuction: a cannula is inserted under the skin to break up the fat. A high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula to remove the fat from the body.
  • Power-assisted liposuction: uses a vibrating cannula to break up stubborn fat into smaller pieces, making it easier to remove.
  • Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL): uses ultrasonic vibrations to create a high amount of energy to dissolve the fat.
  • VASER Liposuction: a newer generation form of UAL.
  • Laser-Assisted Liposuction: similar to UAL except that a laser is used to dissolve the fat.
  • Water-Assisted Liposuction: uses a pressurized stream of saline to loosen fat cells.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

Laser liposuction focuses low-energy waves delivered by a thin laser fiber that's inserted through small incisions. The laser energy is focused on the part of the body where you'd like to have a fatty pocket removed. After the fat is melted, a small cannula is used to suck out the liquefied fat.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

The fat is dissolved by the ultrasonic waves that are emitted from the end of a cannula that's inserted through small incisions. Ultrasonic waves delivered through the cannula emulsify or liquefy the fat. After the fat is liquefied, it is then sucked out through a small cannula.

Liposuction Recovery

After your liposuction surgery is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You will need to wear an elastic bandage, support bra or a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your body as it heals. If you have drainage tubes, you may be asked to monitor and record how much fluid is emptying into the reservoir.

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. Following these instructions is essential to the success of your liposuction procedure. The instructions may include:

The surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, motion, swelling or abrasion during the time of healing.

Liposuction Recovery Timeline

  • Week 1 — Monitor pain, swelling and bruising (medication may be required); significantly limit your activity.
  • Week 2-3 — You will start to feel much better; return to work (depending on your job); limit exercise and activities.
  • Week 4-5 — Bruising should be gone; swelling should start to subside.
  • Week 6 and beyond — Continued improvement in swelling; may start to gradually increase activity and do gentle exercise.

Liposuction Results

Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained. However, substantial weight gain can alter the results.

The results of liposuction with Dr. William Hedden, Dr. Stephen Gunn, M.D. or Dr. Joshua Halka will be long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop.

Your improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.

Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary. It is not possible to improve lax skin tone with liposuction.

Liposuction Words to Know

Procedure Information © American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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Liposuction removes excess fat from specific areas of the body to achieve a slimmer and more proportional shape.

Birmingham, AL Office & Surgery Suites

Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery
140 Village Street
Birmingham, AL 35242
205-980-1744 or 800-HeddenMD
American Society of Plastic Surgeons * American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery *
* Dr. William Hedden, Dr. Stephen Gunn
Hedden and Gunn Plastic Surgery

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Questions About Body Contouring?

To find out more about Liposuction at our Birmingham, Alabama practice, please contact Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery today.

To schedule your consultation at the earliest possible date, please call 205-980-1744.

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