Liposuction

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction slims and contours specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body contours and proportion. Dr. McInnes performs the current gold standard of liposuction, known as SAFELipo™.

Dr. McInnes will perform liposuction to the following areas:

Liposuction 360: full abdomen, waist, mid and lower back
Chin and jawline
Lateral chest wall during breast reduction surgery

Note, the harvest fat is commonly discarded, but it can also be used to augment the size of the breasts (fat grafting breast augmentation) or buttock (BBL surgery). Liposuction can be performed alone or along with other plastic surgery procedures such as breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, facelift, etc.

What about non-invasive options?

Non-invasive treatments (Coolsculpting, Sculpsure) of fatty excess can be used for very mild cases, but won’t achieve the desired results for more moderate fatty deposition. Coolsculpting is often overpromoted in cosmetic med-spas by non-plastic surgeons who don’t have the ability to offer any surgical treatments. Several surgeons have abandoned these less invasive options as patients were often spending a considerable amount of money only to be left disappointed with modest results. Similarly, for very large amounts of excess fat, particularly if there is excess skin, liposuction alone may not achieve desired results. By offering multiple treatment options, Dr. McInnes can advise you on the treatment that will give you the results you desire with the least amount of downtime.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are:

Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
Adults with a relatively stable weight (including those after weight loss)
Individuals without complex medical conditions that would increase the risks of surgery
Non-smokers

*Patients with higher body mass index will often still benefit from consultation. Dr. McInnes can help advise if more aggressive options (eg. tummy tuck) can achieve their desired results, or provide a weight loss target (which can be motivating!). He can also provide you with a custom “diet for life” handout with techniques on healthy eating that can be sustained.

What is SAFELipo™?

SAFELipo™ stands for Separation, Aspiration, and Fat Equilization. The aim of this technique is to perform liposuction in a way that minimizes the risk of any contour deformities afterwards. As per the acronym, a special type of liposuction cannula with a larger “basket” is first introduced into the fat to loosen the fat and prepare it to be aspirated. After the fat is liposuctioned from the body, a basket cannula is re-entered into the body to smooth and refine the contours, minimizing chances of contour abnormalities. These added steps take longer than conventional liposuction, therefore there is some added cost.

Consultation & Preparing for surgery

During your consultation be prepared to discuss:

Your individualized surgical goals
Your medical history including any history of weight loss
Previous surgeries
Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, and alcohol/tobacco usage

Dr. McInnes will also:

Evaluate your general health status
Discuss treatment options and make suggestions that best fit your individual goals
Take photographs
Discuss the expected outcome of your individual surgery
Discuss potential risks of surgery

Prior to surgery you may be asked to:

Obtain lab testing or a medical evaluation
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
Stop smoking
Stop or avoid certain medications such as blood thinners and herbal supplements

The Procedure:

Step 1: anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the procedure. Most often general anesthesia is used but on occasion intravenous sedation will be sufficient.

Step 2: the incision

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

Step 3: recovery

Once your surgery is completed, a compression garment or elastic bandage may cover treatment areas. These help control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours. You will be given specific instructions on how to care for the surgical site and drains, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing, specific concerns to look for, and when to follow up with Dr. McInnes

Results

Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside. With the continued practice of healthy eating and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be maintained. Substantial weight gain can alter the results. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and a second session may be necessary.

Costs

Prices for liposuction vary based on your individual surgical requirements and will be provided after your assessment. This cost will factor in the expected duration of treatment, and if you've bundled your liposuction with any additional procedures.

Your quoted cost will include the following:

surgical facility fee and nursing staff fees
the anesthesiologist fee
all surgical supplies costs
surgeon fee

Financing plans are available and are becoming an increasingly popular option.

Risks and Safety

There are risks associated with your surgery. Please download the consent form designed by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) for a detailed list and description of the risks involved (found here). Risks of surgery will be discussed prior to your consent. It is important to address all your questions directly with Dr. McInnes.