Liposuction in Oklahoma City, OK

When a patient has tried to exercise and diet away unwanted fat and it still remains, Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Oklahoma City recommend liposuction. With this procedure, the stubborn fat is removed by plastic surgeons Dr. Erik Nuveen and Dr. Courtney Caplin with a cannula, or steel tube, with a suction device attached to it. The tube is inserted into very tiny incisions to minimize pain, scarring and the risk of infection. The doctors can perform liposuction on various parts of the body like the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms and even the face and neck. It is recommended that patients be at or near their ideal weight for their best results.

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Our patients love liposuction because it gives them a safe way to permanently eliminate fat cells that they have been unable to rid themselves of with diet and exercise. These benefits can also improve the health, appearance, and self-esteem of patients who choose to undergo liposuction. This procedure works especially well for patients who are unhappy with the current contour of their body and would like to slim down certain areas.

Laser-assisted liposuction uses laser technology on specified areas of fat to burst energy that will loosen and liquefy the fat for removal. LAL liposuction includes brands such as SmartLipo, SlimLipo, Lipolite Laser Liposculpture, LipoLite, and ProLipo PLUS.

Another surgical technique commonly used is the ultrasound-assisted (UAL), or ultrasonic, approach. Surgeons perform this dual process on denser areas of fat, such as in the thighs and stomach. During this technique, ultrasound waves loosen and melt fat into a liquid. Surgeons then use the cannula to extract the solution. This surgical method is more popular among men wanting more defined and contoured muscles.

Tumescent liposuction, known as the “Super-Wet” approach, is a suction-assisted (SAL) technique that uses a solution and power-aided motor to help remove stubborn fat. The surgeon injects the solution, made of saline, lidocaine and epinephrine (to control bleeding), into the problem areas. The surgeon then inserts the cannula attached to the motor to remove fat cells from the body at a controlled speed. The motor helps surgeons remove anywhere from several ounces to a few pounds of fat. 

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia at a hospital or surgery center. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes for each body part. It can be a stand-alone surgery, or combined with other procedures. However, the surgeon may suggest performing the surgery over a period of time for the safety of the patient. After surgery, patients are required to wear a compression garment to help the body adjust to its new shape. Bruising and swelling will subside within 1 week, but patients will not see final results for several months. Liposuction does leave a small scar, but it fades over time.

• The primary, or first, area of liposuction runs $3,180. The fee for each additional, secondary area of liposuction is $2,100.
• Liposuction is often used in combination with other surgical procedures, such as a tummy tuck. In this case, the first area will be billed as a secondary area at $2,100.
• Don't forget to ask about combining liposuction with a fat transfer procedure to add fullness to your cheeks or increase the volume of your buttocks.

**Fee's that are posted are subject to change. No doctor/patient relationship is established until exam. Consent in perpetuity until canceled in writing.

Liposuction is the surgical removal of excess fat with a thin, straw-like instrument called a cannula that is attached to a liposuction machine. The cannula is inserted into the fat layer of the skin, where it is manipulated within the layers to remove unwanted fatty deposits. The result is a correction of bulging, fatty areas into more attractive contours.

While today’s surgical techniques are safe, patients can experience poor results from inexperienced surgeons. It is important for patients to do their research, and find an experienced surgeon that can help them achieve the best, most natural-looking results.

The results of liposuction can be seen for many years following surgery if the patient follows a healthy diet and exercise program. Removed fat cells do not come back, but patients can still gain weight if their remaining fat cells grow.

Yes, there can be too much fat. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons does not recommend removing more than 10 pounds of fat for the safety of the patient. Removing more than 10 pounds is considered high-volume liposuction, which increases the chances of complications from the surgery. Patients are advised to be near or at their ideal weight before undergoing liposuction.

While liposuction removes fat and improves contour and shape, it does not address sagging or drooping skin. If skin laxity is a concern, patients can talk to the surgeon during the consultation to discuss their options for improving skin texture, such as a tummy tuck, thigh, neck, arm or butt lift.

VASER is the most effective method to remove fat and tighten larger areas needing liposuction. It generates more heat and this results in greater skin tightening. The laser options all leave the skin with less heat and subsequently less skin contracture. This is only beneficial in smaller areas such as under the chin.

A good candidate is someone who has stubborn areas of fat that cannot be eliminated with diet or exercise. Liposuction is not a method of weight loss, but rather it is a way of correcting specific pockets of fat.

Someone who is proportionate but overweight is not a good liposuction candidate. In this case, Dr. Nuveen and Dr. Caplin recommend a regimen of diet and exercise to lose excess weight. If stubborn pockets of fat are presented upon losing weight, the patient may now be a candidate for liposuction.

Most liposuction procedures are between 45 minutes and 2 ½ hours.

Usually between three to four areas can safely be done with a single liposuction procedure.

You will be up and moving the day of your surgery. Dr. Nuveen and Dr. Caplin recommend that every patient get up every couple of hours and walk around, because this promotes healing. Most patients return to their regular exercise routine between one to two weeks, although they may engage in mild exercise prior to that.

Final results usually take between 6-12 months, but most patients see the beginning of results within one month. Usually by 3 weeks much of the swelling is down and most patients are looking better than before the surgery and are able to wear a swimsuit and go on vacation. Prior to surgery, you and our doctors will thoroughly discuss expectations.

Pain medication can cause constipation. We suggest purchasing an over the counter stool softener to assist in regularity (Colace or Dulcolax). Take one with each meal until you are finished taking narcotic pain medications. If this is not productive in 24 hours, take one quarter of a bottle of Magnesium Citrate.

You can resume your sexual activities as tolerated.

Some bruising is normal following any surgical procedure. Once again, ice is strongly recommended to reduce bruising. If you have excessive or very dark bruising, you should contact our office or your physician if outside of normal business hours.

Liposuction at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates offers men and women the opportunity to have bothersome fat diminished almost immediately. Without the help of liposuction, it can be difficult to gain the slimming outcomes you desire. We can recommend various alternatives for liposuction treatment depending on your personal aesthetic desires. We invite you to call our office in Oklahoma City, OK, to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Erik J. Nuveen.