Liposuction or Body Contouring

Rarely are we born with perfectly proportioned faces or bodies, but fortunately modern science has found a way to correct many of our flaws.  The science of liposuction combined with the art of body sculpting is affordable, socially acceptable, and, if done properly, very safe and effective.

People inherit a predetermined number and distribution of fat cells.  These cells continue to develop until we reach the age of puberty, and from then on, the number remains the same (except perhaps in cases of extreme weight gain during pregnancy).  As one gains weight, the fat cells expand; and when one loses weight, they shrink.  To add to this vicious cycle, one usually has certain inherited areas that have extra or "greedier" fat cells, which gain first and lose last.  Thus, proportioning the body with weight loss and exercise alone usually doesn’t solve the imbalance.  A person may become too thin in some areas of the face and body just to lose those problem bulges, commonly located in the abdomen, thighs, and buttock in women and in the love handles, abdomen, and chest in men.

The beauty of liposuction is the ability to target one’s problem sites, to better balance one’s fat distribution, and to rid one’s excess fat cells forever.  However, this does not mean that an individual can never worry about weight gain or fail to exercise and tone muscles.  Liposuction is not meant to replace a proper diet and a good exercise program nor is it meant to be a vehicle for weight loss.  Although a person will usually lose some weight and many times, it will provide an incentive to lose more; it is really a tool used for reshaping or sculpting the body and face.   Many times, a person will lose as much as two to eight inches in the waist area alone and will look much thinner but will not lose a significant amount of weight.

In other cases, an individual’s body may have changed from gravity, childbirth, aging, or excessive weight loss.  In addition to suctioning, a “tummy tuck” (full or mini) or a body lift to remove loose skin may be necessary. 

It is also possible to take fat from one area of the body or face and add it to another to improve indented or sallow areas, often seen in the cheeks, infraorbital lower eye area, and lateral buttock.  Fat may also be used to fill in between a heavy frown line in the forehead, deep melolabial lines that run from the nose to the mouth on each side, or to plump up the lips.  Usually a person’s fat is harvested from the body, processed, labeled, and stored in a freezer. It is injected in several small increments to enhance uptake and survival of the fat cells.    

  LIPOSCULPTURE -

NOW MORE EFFECTIVE THAN EVER !

In the early 1980’s, Dr. William Miles studied the new science of liposuction from its early pioneer, Dr. Pierre Fournier in France.  Later on, he would study large volume liposuction from him as well.  Although he found liposuction to be of tremendous importance in the cosmetic field, Dr. Miles realized that the large suctioning instruments or “cannulas” used in the early days made it difficult to undertake finite contouring, that blood loss was a real danger, and that much was still to be learned in the field. 

Then, during the early 1990’s, Dr. Miles learned and incorporated the “tumescent” technique of liposuction, which was introduced by his friend and colleague, Dr. Jeffrey Kline in California. This new method revolutionized liposuction and took away many of the risks involved. Before suctioning begins, the tumescent fluid is injected into the fatty tissue between one’s skin and muscle.  This not only helps to constrict blood vessels, which causes less bleeding, but also it contains special medi- cation to help numb the areas being suctioned.  In addition, the cannulas used to suction the fat cells were now available in all sizes, some as small as a pencil lead, which allowed for very controlled amounts of contouring and tiny incision sites. 

But there were even more changes to come!  In the mid 1990’s, Dr. Miles studied the latest ultrasonic techniques at special training workshops in California.  He realized that this new technology would not replace the tumescent technique but would further enhance the art of suctioning.  Ultrasound-assisted lipectomy, commonly known as “UAL”, releases sound waves that liquefy the fat that is to be suctioned.  This is particularly useful in areas of fibrous fat, such as male breasts and back, male and female midsections, especially in younger individuals who are more athletic, and occasionally in the lateral thighs.  UAL is generally not used in delicate areas such as the neck, arms, and lower legs.

Today, Dr. Miles uses a combination of tumescent and ultrasound in a majority of his liposuction cases.  With micro-cannulas and improved techniques, he can sculpt even small amounts of fat in a more controlled manner with very inconspicuous incision sites that heal quickly.  In addition, he adjusts his type of anesthesia to each individual, sometimes using a combination of local and general in large volume cases.

In the right hands, liposuction is truly liposculpture.  We no longer have to live with the bodies that nature dealt.  Is it any wonder then that liposuction is perhaps the most popular precedure performed today for both sexes and throughout all age groups. 

You can receive general information over the telephone, but every individual is unique, and you’ll never know your options until you take the first step and come in for a personal consultation.  

ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSCULPTURE ?

INITIAL CONSULTATION

Please do not be embarrassed or afraid to come in for a personal improvement plan.  It just may be the best thing you’ll ever do for yourself!  And I guarantee, our caring staff will make it easier for you.  Our bodies can make us very self-conscious and reluctant to participate in many activities with our family and friends.  It may even affect intimacy in our personal lives.  Or it may just be difficult for us to find clothes to fit properly.  Whatever the reason, you should at least know your options.

(1)    Call either of our offices, conveniently located in the metroplex area: 

• (214) 368-6863 in Dallas or 

• (817) 336-9131 in Fort Worth or 

• 1-800-940-3223.

(2)    You will receive an in-depth evaluation by Dr. Miles, a review of the procedure—what to expect, recovery time, etc.--, an opportunity to see before and after pictures, and an exact plan for you, which includes the amount and the areas to be suctioned and/or tightened.

(3)    Our patient coordinator will prepare an itemized fee quote, explaining all the costs involved as well as other pertinent information regarding our services.

(4)    The coordinator or other staff member will be available to answer any questions that may arise then or later and assist you in planning a time if you wish to schedule the procedure. 

(5)    We respect your right to seek other opinions and will never pressure anyone to have the surgery performed here.

(6)    We also totally respect your right to privacy and keep all records strictly confidential.

  SCHEDULING YOUR PROCEDURE

(1)   If you have a date in mind or have a time frame to meet, please let our patient coordinator know.  Dr. Miles performs surgery Monday through Friday and has a lot of flexibility since he has his own private, fully-accredited surgical facility.  We will try to find a date as close to your preference as possible.  However, to insure that you get a particular date, it is advisable to schedule further in advance.

(2)   When a surgery date is agreed upon, the coordinator will send you a packet of information, containing fees, payment methods, surgery and pre-operative dates and times, pre and post surgery instruction sheets, lab requests, and general information to assist you in preparing for your procedure.

(3)   You will have a pre-operative visit where Dr. Miles will chart exact measurements prior to surgery (so we can chart your progress following surgery), mark the areas to be suctioned, take photographs, discuss any risks and complications, recovery time, etc., and have you sign consent forms.  He will answer any questions you might have and perform a short physical exam.

POST OUTPATIENT SURGERY:

(1)     You will remain in our private recovery room until you are stable and ready to go home.  You will be taken by wheelchair (for your safety) to the vehicle and the individual who will be driving you home.  If you do not have someone to care for you postoperatively, we can arrange for a sitter or nurse.

(2)     You will be sent home in a compression garment (or garments), which covers the treated areas.  Compression of the skin helps newly suctioned areas attain necessary shrinkage and contour.  This garment is worn for approximately six weeks following surgery.  However, the length of time also depends upon one’s skin elasticity and the areas being suctioned (some areas are more prone to stress and gravity than others).

(3)     You will be sent home with oral pain and rest medications as needed.  After a few days, many patients begin Advil or Tylenol.  Discomfort is moderate but certainly not intolerable.

(4)     Recovery time will vary with each person depending upon health, age, number of areas suctioned, and the volume of fat removed.  But most patients can resume normal activities within 3 to 7 days.  It will be longer for people undergoing large volume liposuction, tummy tucks, muscle plication, etc. to resume more strenuous activities.

(5)     Most bruising and swelling will subside in two to four weeks, and visible results can be seen.  However, the final result may take up to six months.

(6)     As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks, but  serious complications are uncommon.

WHO HAS LIPOSUCTION?

(1)    Individuals who have disproportionate or inherited areas of fatty deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise alone. 

(2)    Individuals who are within the normal weight range but still have stubborn bulges that affect their overall proportion.

(3)    Individuals who are slightly obese but have difficulty losing inches by normal weight loss programs or who need an added incentive to lose.

(4)    Individuals who have gained excessively, possibly through pregnancy, and have lost weight but still have some bulges, skin laxity, and/or stretch marks.  A full or mini tummy tuck with or without muscle tightening may be necessary in addition to liposuction.  Tightening of the skin can also be performed in other areas of the body.   

Click HERE to see before and after examples of this procedure.

Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas (TX).