Liposuction in Denver, CO

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Serving Denver & Lone Tree, Colorado

Liposuction, liposculpture, lipoplasty and a variety of other terms are all used to describe one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed annually in the United States. Each year several hundred thousand women and men seek improvement in various areas of their body using liposuction techniques. Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from the:

  • Abdomen
  • Hips
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
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The procedure has undergone many refinements in the last several decades, including the tumescent technique, the super-wet technique, power assisted liposuction (PAL) and ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL), all of which have helped plastic surgeons provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for proper diet and exercise, the procedure can remove stubborn areas of unwanted fat that don't respond to traditional weight loss methods creating a more sculpted and contoured appearance. Dial (720) 728-0470 today for your one-on-one liposuction consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons!

Is Liposuction Right for Me?

The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have localized areas of excess fat. You should be physically healthy with realistic expectations and understand that Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Skin which has lost elasticity from weight gain, pregnancy or aging may not be appropriate for liposuction.

Liposuction can effectively treat and sculpt problem areas of the body including the:

 

  • Chest (gynecomastia or male breast tissue)
  • "Love handles" (flanks)
  • Back
  • Abdomen
  • Hips
  • Inner thighs
  • "Saddle bags" (outer thighs)

Every patient is different and several factors may influence which areas are most amenable to liposuction including your skin tone, underlying medical conditions or previous surgeries performed near the area to be contoured. During your consultation with one of our doctors at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, you will become familiar with which type of procedure will best meet your cosmetic needs. For example, you may feel you want liposuction in the abdominal area, but after a consultation with one of our doctors you may learn that tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) combined with liposuction may more effectively meet your goals.

How Do I Prepare for My Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that requires some advanced planning. It is important to take the right steps before your surgical date in order to promote great results and a smooth recovery. We provide pre-operative guidelines to help you prepare for liposuction.

You may need to change your current medications, quit smoking, and get closer to your goal weight. It is also beneficial to approach the procedure with a positive outlook and realistic expectations. In addition, you will want to take a few days off from work or school.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons can give you more information about getting ready for liposuction. You may need to follow specific recommendations based on your situation.

What Do I Need To Know About Liposuction Recovery and Aftercare?

It can take several weeks to get through the initial phase of your liposuction recovery. During that time, you will need to walk around regularly to get your blood flowing and promote healing. However, you should avoid any activities that are too strenuous or physically demanding.

It is important to wait 48 hours before you shower, and someone should be present to make sure that you are stable. Do not allow the water to run over or spray the incision site, and do not submerge it for four to six weeks. Take pain medications as directed and attend your follow-up visit. Refer to our post-operative instructions for liposuction and contact us with any questions.

How Soon After Liposuction Will I Be Able To See Results?

Liposuction removes excess fat cells for an immediate improvement in the treated area. However, you may not be able to judge the outcome of your procedure until you have healed. You will likely be wearing bandages or a compression garment for several weeks after surgery.

Your results will continue to improve as the swelling subsides. Limiting salty foods, keeping the treated area cool, and utilizing your compression garment as instructed can speed things up.

How Long Will the Results of My Liposuction Procedure Last?

Liposuction permanently removes excess fat. The treated fat cells cannot come back. However, weight gain can still affect the surrounding area. For that reason, your results will last as long as you maintain a relatively stable weight. It is best to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Keep in mind that getting pregnant after liposuction may also impact your cosmetic outcome. Weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy. If you are planning to have children soon, consider postponing your surgery. Otherwise, you may end up needing another liposuction procedure.

Will I Have Any Scars After My Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction incisions are small and made in thoughtful locations. Once healed, liposuction scars are usually hard to notice. However, it is important to visit a board-certified plastic surgeon who knows how to minimize scarring. It is also crucial to follow all of the care instructions you receive. After all, things such as unprotected sun exposure and smoking can worsen scarring.

View photos of our patients who have had liposuction in our Before & After Gallery.

Click here to answer the question: "Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?"

Liposuction Options

At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, we are committed to helping you achieve your body contouring goals in and informed and safe manner. We believe that our patients are sophisticated and capable of understanding and choosing which operations are best for them after appropriate consultation and education with one of our doctors. We will help you navigate and understand the variety of options available: Tumescent Liposuction, Super-Wet Liposuction Technique and Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty.

Generally, liposuction procedures are limited in both the volumes removed and the amount of time spent under anesthesia. The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has recommended that no more than 5 liters of fat be removed in any one setting. All of our procedures are performed in our fully state licensed and The Joint Commission Accredited surgery center.

Liposuction entails the removal of fat from a particular area of the body using small incisions through which a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The primary difference between the techniques used (UAL, PAL, tumescent, super-wet) lies in the method employed to break-up and remove the fatty tissue. Along with removal of the fat there is removal of fluid which must be replaced intravenously. It is for this reason that your procedure should only be performed in an accredited surgical facility under the care of a board certified anesthesiologist so that your comfort and safety is made preeminent.

Tumescent Liposuction

In tumescent liposuction, large volumes of fluid – sometimes as much as three times the amount of fat to be removed – are injected using this technique. Tumescent liposuction is typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, and usually takes significantly longer than traditional Liposuction (sometimes as long as 4 to 5 hours). However, because the injected fluid contains an adequate amount of anesthetic, additional anesthesia may not be necessary. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or "tumesced" state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.

Super-Wet Technique

The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time depending on the size of the area being suctioned and the amount of fat to be removed.

Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), a technique requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique.

UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is needed. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.

Power-assisted liposuction uses a cannula that contains a vibrating tip which helps to remove fat from the surrounding tissues so that it may be easily suctioned away. This typically decreases the operative time and may lead to more successful removal of fatty tissue from fibrous areas such as the back, male "love handles" and male breast tissue (gynecomastia).

What are the Surgical Risks of Liposuction?

All surgical procedures involve some risks, such as the effects of anesthesia, bleeding, infection, pain, and swelling. Liposuction is one the most common cosmetic procedures performed each year, and it can be done very safely. After reading the discussion below, please contact your surgeon if you have any remaining questions.

Contour Irregularity: This is a dimple, groove or wave visible on the skin surface. While most contour irregularities are quite minor it is important to recognize that some irregularities are normal and are the result of skin areas with poorer elasticity or areas that already possessed irregularities before surgery (i.e. cellulite).

Asymmetry: Any procedure that is performed on 2 sides of the body has a small risk of differences between each side after surgery. Usually these differences are small, but asymmetry is normal in nature and certainly can be expected in varying degrees after surgery on 2 different sides of the body.

Excess Skin: Skin that is of poorer quality may not shrink well after Liposuction leaving excess or loose skin. Treatment for excess skin may necessitate an excisional procedure (i.e. such as a Tummy Tuck for excess abdominal skin).

Bruising: Bruising is highly variable between patients both in its severity and duration. Bruising is a normal finding after Liposuction.

Prolonged Swelling: Most swelling is resolving by 2-3 weeks after surgery if activity is limited and compression garments are worn faithfully. Some patients may experience swelling longer than 3 weeks, which usually is treated with continued use of compression garments and limiting strenuous activity.

Bleeding: Bleeding is usually minimal and well controlled during a Tummy Tuck. Stop all blood thinning medications 2 weeks prior to surgery to decrease the risk of excessive bleeding.

Hematoma: A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Hematomas may occur within the first few days after surgery or further out if the surgical site is traumatized. Small hematomas will resolve spontaneously and can be observed. Larger ones may require aspiration or drainage for optimal results.

Infection: Antibiotics will be given to you, prophylactically before surgery, and for several days after surgery to minimize the risk of infection. If an infection develops, it typically can be treated with different antibiotics. In some situations surgical debridement may be required. This can result initially in a larger scar, which may be revised at a later date.

Pain: Mild to moderate pain and discomfort is expected after surgery. You will be given a prescription for pain medication. If you have severe pain not relieved by pain medicine, contact your surgeon immediately.

Delayed Healing or Wound Separation: In some instances, the incision takes longer to heal than normal. Cigarette smoking, poor nutrition status and a compromised immune system can all increase the risk of delayed wound healing or separation.

Numbness: It is common to experience some numbness around your surgical site for the first few weeks. Numbness can be temporary or it may be permanent in some cases.

Dissatisfaction with Cosmetic Results: We strive to attain the aesthetic results you desire. Some people are not entirely satisfied with their results due to asymmetry, scar deformity, or hypertrophic (irregularly raised) scarring. Careful surgical planning and technique can minimize, but not always prevent, such results. If necessary revisions can be made after the healing process is complete.

Blood Clots: Blood clots may form and travel to your lungs, resulting in severe injury or death. To decrease the risk of blood clots, boots that massage the lower leg will be placed on you during surgery. After the procedure you can decrease your risk of blood clots by walking 3 to 4 times daily. It is important to recognize that medical complications after a cosmetic procedure are often not covered by health insurance and can pose significant financial burdens.

Fat Clots: Similar to blood clots, but related to the liposuction procedure itself.

Fluid accumulation: Small areas of excess swelling or fluid under the skin.

Skin discoloration: Occasionally, areas that undergo liposuction can have temporary or permanent overlying skin discoloration.

Scarring: Your scars will actually appear somewhat worse over the first 3 to 6 months as the healing process occurs. You can expect your scars to thin and fade by the end of 12 months. However, your scars will never fade completely.

Call Park Meadows For Your Liposuction Consultation!

To find out more about liposuction and the techniques available at our Lone Tree office, please contact Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery online or call 303-706-1100 to book a free cosmetic consultation. Our board-certified plastic surgeons welcome patients throughout the Denver area and beyond.

Patient Testimonial

"Dr Christopher Williams and his entire staff are simply the best!  Dr Williams sets the pace for his staff by example.  He has always been cordial, professional, personable and with a quirky sense of humor to lighten things up.  He comes across as efficient and a perfectionist when it comes  to details.  He is honest with his recommendations and will let you know if what you want may not be the best thing. His staff follows his lead and have always been friendly and have made me feel comfortable every time I’ve had a consultation. Danielle is a great navigator and made sure I got scheduled for surgery according to my needs.  The gal upfront is always cheerful and welcoming and makes the start of your appointment a positive one. A very gracious and professional group of people to place your confidence in during a difficult an vulnerable time in ones lives."

M.W.

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Location

PARK MEADOWS
COSMETIC SURGERY

7430 E. Park Meadows Dr.
Suite 300
Lone Tree, CO 80124

303-706-1100

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Office Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed

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