It's not an understatement to say that our culture is hyped about fitness. In today's age of Instagram and the ever-present selfie, being conscious of our bodies is more prominent than ever. Procedures like liposuction, or lipo, have not seen less popularity than before. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, they remain the fourth most popular plastic surgery in the nation after rhinoplasties, eyelid surgeries, and facelifts. More than 210,000 liposuctions were administered to people looking to sculpt their bodies in a year marked by pandemic disruption.
Liposuction technology has not simply stayed the way it always has. At Avana Plastic Surgery, our surgeons specialize not just in traditional (or tumescent, as it's officially called) liposuction but also in high-definition liposuction. Our surgeons specialize in Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL), Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL), as well as the ultrasonic, or VASER, liposuction. Each of these is designed to add precision and reduce the physical trauma of the surgery on the body.
So, What's Different About High-Definition Liposuction?
Traditional liposuction is primarily a procedure that lowers fat volume in targeted areas of the body. It is very successful, but high-definition liposuction, on the other hand, can sculpt the body as it extracts fat. Because of its targeted precision, it can emphasize the musculature beneath the skin better. In high-def liposuction, the surgeon removes fat from the abdomen, for example, but leaves a little bit of it near the muscle. This will allow the abdominal muscles to be more easily "seen." That's why surgeons recommend that the people who want to get this procedure done be relatively fit and have a "pinchable" amount of fat that is just incapable of being burned with exercise or diet.
One example of high-definition liposuction is ultrasonic liposuction, which uses VASER technology. It's a gentler approach, using ultrasound waves to break down fat cells. This is a more gentle and precise procedure that enables the surgeon to target super-precise body areas and add definition there. In traditional lipo, the fat cells are not "melted," as with VASER, but hardened, swollen, and then sucked up.
Who Can Get It?
The best candidate will always be healthy enough to withstand the anesthetic and have a BMI within 10 pounds of their goal. Most importantly, the surgeon will be looking for the patient's skin to show the elasticity it will need to tighten up around the area once the fat has been extracted. If the skin didn't show this elasticity, it would simply hang and defeat the purpose of the surgery.
What Areas Could I Target?
For both men and women, the most popular areas are the abdomen and flanks. Men then opt for the chest, while women for the back. The important thing to remember is that liposuction has to fit with the patient's physique. Targeting problem areas alone is not likely to produce the results you're looking for. Once your problem areas have been addressed, additional liposuction throughout the body must match the new definition. You want your body to look as if you have been working out your whole body. This is another reason you should be relatively active and healthy. High-definition liposuction may not be the procedure for patients with high BMIs. The results of this procedure risk leaving you with a disproportional body. Again, the thing to do here is to consult with your surgeon about what your expectations are. Our surgeons in Miami are experts on liposuction and will be happy to share their insights.
Recovery And Aftercare
Many surgeons have said that recovery is as important or perhaps even more than the procedure itself. For the most part, surgery will consist of massages that will help to drain the lymph nodes. These massages are usually had at the surgery center and can be part of the final cost of your surgery, though it is always best to make sure on your own. At Avana, the massages are given by capable and expert therapists. As you consider this transformative journey, consult our Avana Plastic Surgery experts in Miami. They're well-versed in high-definition liposuction and can guide you toward achieving the results you desire.
