Liposuction Columbus, Ohio
gain Confidence through Lipo Surgery
Liposuction is a minimally-invasive procedure that can make dramatic improvements for patients who have tried their best and still need help achieving their ultimate goal. Men and women turn to lipo to shed those final few pounds and achieve the most desirable contour in their abdomen, hips, flanks, arms and thighs. This procedure offers long-lasting, natural-looking results with minimal downtime and is very helpful when diet and exercise just aren’t quite enough.
An Eye For Detail & Artistry
Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson and Dr. Michelle Sieffert perform liposuction almost daily, working with patients of all ages and body types while maintaining safety, symmetry and a natural appearance. Our board-certified plastic surgeons prefer minimally-invasive techniques and have an outstanding record of patient satisfaction.
Both Dr. Donaldson and Dr. Sieffert are revered by patients for their excellent results and their warm bedside manner.
Am I A Candidate For Liposuction?
If you have tried to watch what you eat and exercise regularly, but you still have areas with extra fat, you are likely a liposuction candidate. This surgical procedure works best when there are isolated bulges around the thighs and waist, below the navel, behind the arms, under the chin or in other discreet locations.
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Your Expectations & Goals Matter
Liposuction surgery may also be desirable if you wish to enhance the curves and contours of your body. Our surgeons can help if you’re looking to accentuate your “hourglass” figure, widen the gap between your thighs or flatten the inner knees. Liposuction is not an obesity treatment; however, it has been shown to improve cholesterol levels in certain individuals.
Candidacy for liposuction is not dependent on age, size or gender. Younger people have a higher rate of success with liposuction due to increased skin elasticity. Dr. Donaldson or Dr. Sieffert will assess your anatomy at your consultation to determine whether the procedure is appropriate.
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There Are Several Types Of Liposuction Available, Including:
- Tumescent/wet Liposuction (SAL or suction-assisted lipectomy)
- Vaser (UAL or ultrasonic-assisted lipolysis)
- SmartLipo (laser Liposuction)
- CoolLipo (cryo-Liposuction)
- PowerLipo (PAL or power-assisted Liposuction)
We do not offer SmartLipo. Our doctors typically prefer SAL, power-assisted liposuction and Vaser/UAL due to their time-tested results, consistency and safety.
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Additional HealthConsiderations
All medical conditions should be discussed with Dr. Donaldson or Dr. Sieffert before making your final decision. At your consultation, our team will go over your medical history to assess risks and determine whether any further testing, referrals or intervention may be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, our surgeons perform Lipo 360. This specific Liposuction technique is defined by the way that it targets multiple areas in the midsection during just one surgical session. It typically targets the abdomen, waist, “Love Handles” (or flanks), middle back and lower back.
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Liposuction cost varies greatly based on a wide variety of factors, including the technique used, how much fat will need to be removed, other procedures being performed and more. For that reason, the price of a Liposuction procedure could range anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 in total. It is difficult to provide a truly accurate cost estimation without first understanding your unique goals and desires, which makes the consultation so important.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COST OF LIPOSUCTION IN COLUMBUS, OHIO HERE
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Liposuction is a great option for spot-treating abdominal fat, when a bulge exists under relatively elastic skin. A tummy tuck will also remove abdominal fat, while at the same time repairing the underlying muscle contour, reshaping the belly button and tightening loose skin. Most patients are candidates for one or the other, but not both.
Why Is That A Good Thing?
As a plastic surgery practice, we are uniquely qualified to give you a true and honest analysis of what procedure is going to yield the best results for you. Our interest lies in helping you make the best, well-educated decision for yourself, and we’ll never recommend a procedure you don’t need.
Get a Full Breakdown Of Tummy Tuck VS. Lipo
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We will be the first to say that the healthier you are, the easier it is for your body to heal after the surgery. Dr. Donaldson and Dr. Sieffert recommend that you are within ten to twenty pounds of your reasonable, typical body weight. Most patients are up or down ten to twenty pounds over the course of their lifetimes, and as long as you are within that range, then your liposuction results will not suffer. If you anticipate larger weight swings, then it is best to make some progress before having surgery so revisions are less likely.
Nutrition, Exercise & Lifestyle Choices Will Help Greatly
You should also cut out unhealthy habits, such as drinking alcohol and using tobacco, in the time leading up to the surgery. Our surgeons strongly advise their patients to quit smoking for at least two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery in order to avoid infections, wound complications and problems with healing. Our staff is happy to help you plan for these lifestyle changes well in advance.
Certain medications and dietary supplements can impair healing, or cause more bleeding, bruising and scar tissue. Dr. Donaldson or Dr. Sieffert will provide a list of some of the most common contraindicated substances; however, it is wise to cross-check the side effects of anything you are taking yourself to be sure.
Prepare Your Home & Office For Recovery
You will need a comfortable place to rest and relax for the first day or two, as your movement will be restricted. Take care of physical projects in advance, because you will not be ready for heavy chores right away. It is best to recruit a family member or a good friend to be available to assist you for at least the first twenty-four hours. Most patients rebound quickly, but it is best to take precautions nonetheless.
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Liposuction involves the precise removal of localized fat deposits to enhance body contours and proportions. This is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the amount of fat removed. To begin, the board-certified plastic surgeon makes small incisions strategically located near the target areas. Through these incisions, a thin hollow tube called a cannula is inserted and connected to a suction device.
With meticulous attention to detail, the surgeon maneuvers the cannula beneath the skin, gently breaking up and suctioning out excess fat cells, sculpting the desired contours. The procedure’s duration depends on the number and size of treated areas. Following completion, the incisions are carefully sutured, and you will be provided with a compression garment to aid in healing and reduce swelling.
Get A More In-Depth Look At The Liposuction Process Here
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As with all surgical procedures, there are risks inherent to liposuction. Complications are rare but it is best to be aware of them in advance so you can weigh the pros and cons of surgery and be able to recognize them early if they occur.
The most common risks associated with Liposuction are subtle cosmetic differences, such as contour defects or asymmetry, rippling or dimpling of the skin, or the appearance of grooves. Contour abnormalities generally result when the patient has excess or loose skin, and they can often be fixed with skin-tightening procedures or fat transfer.
Additional Risks Are Rare, But May Include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Changes in sensation or chronic pain
- Swelling/edema
- Anesthesia complications
- Irregular pigmentation
- Blood clots
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, or organs
- Fluid accumulation
Our team will thoroughly address many of these risks during your consultation, and you will see them listed again during the informed consent process before surgery.
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Pain medication is given before, during and after the operation. Lidocaine/Marcaine local anesthesia (numbing medication) will continue to linger in the operated areas even after you return home the same day. Your compression garment will cover the treated areas and provide supportive comfort as well. Compression is advised for two to four weeks as it continues to minimize swelling even as your activity level increases.
After this period, you may find Lycra or spandex exercise garments more comfortable as a transition or bridge therapy. You will never notice the tiny dissolvable sutures beneath the skin and they will be gone in a few weeks. The surgical glue overlying the incisions will gradually peel off in the shower after 1-2 weeks.
There Are Three Distinct Phases When It Comes To Lipo Recovery
- Day 1 – 6: This is when you have the dramatic effect of the operation, followed by some amount of bruising and swelling. You will already be able to see an improvement during this phase.
- Day 6 – Week 6: This is when your body clears swelling, inflammation, fluids and injured fat cells that are left behind from the operation. This period brings with it a further tightening effect.
- Week 6 – approximately Month 6: This is the period in which scar tissue sets in and has a final “shrink wrap” effect. Patients often describe a slow and steady continuation of improvements in their contour even six months out from surgery! The final result should not be measured until at least six months.
Learn how to properly apply the following:
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Scarring is generally minimal with liposuction, as the incisions are minuscule and often well-hidden near a freckle, inside the belly button, near a hairline, or within a pre-existing scar or stretch mark. More scars are necessary as more areas or larger areas are treated.
All scars fade over time, and some disappear almost entirely. Your scarring will depend on your skin type, your activity level immediately after surgery and your compliance with post-operative instructions. At your consultation, we assess your skin and give you a more accurate estimation of your personal chance for scarring.
Scar Treatments Are Rarely Needed, But Are Available
After surgery, you will meet with our patient care team to learn about the most current scar creams and therapies. Steroid injections, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and Morpheus8 are very rarely needed because the scars are so small.
Schedule Your Consultation With Donaldson
Patients opting for Liposuction in Columbus, Ohio at Donaldson Plastic Surgery can expect tiny incisions, minimal downtime, and beautiful results. This procedure often provides the final contour improvement after diet and exercise have reached their limits. We invite you to get in touch with us today, schedule your consultation and find out whether you are a good candidate!
From Our Liposuction Experts
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