Before you arrive at our practice for your procedure, Dr. Nikfarjam or Dr. Alexander Sun will give you a list of pre-operative instructions to prepare you. These may include fasting for a certain amount of time or avoiding certain types of medication. Our surgeons will review your medical history and ask about any medical conditions you may have. Tell us about any medicines, supplements, or herbs you are taking.
We also recommend arranging transportation to and from our practice so that you can rest after the procedure without disrupting any wound closures or sutures.
When you arrive for your appointment, while you are being prepped for the procedure, Dr. Nikfarjam or Dr. Alexander Sun will walk you through the process so you know what techniques he will be using, and the areas they will be focusing on, as discussed in your consultation.
We may mark circles and lines on the areas of your body to be treated. Photos also may be taken so that before and after images can be compared.
The first step is to administer anesthesia, to numb the area and avoid any discomfort during surgery. The type of anesthesia will depend on your comfort level as well as the amount of area being treated.
The second step will be to make the incision on the body. Depending on which area of the body you are getting liposuction on will determine the type of technique being used.
Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.
These are the techniques Dr. Nikfarjam and Dr. Sun will choose from based on the area of your body being treated:
- In traditional liposuction, a cannula is inserted under the skin to break up the fat. A high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula to remove the fat from the body.
- Power-assisted liposuction uses a vibrating cannula to break up stubborn fat into smaller pieces, making it easier to remove.
- Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) uses ultrasonic vibrations to create a high amount of energy to dissolve the fat.
- VASER liposuction is a newer generation form of UAL.
- Laser-assisted liposuction is similar to UAL, except that it uses a laser to dissolve the fat.
- Water-assisted liposuction uses a pressurized stream of saline to loosen fat cells.
The procedure may last up to several hours, depending on how much fat is being removed. If you’ve had general anesthesia, you’ll wake up in a recovery room. You’ll typically spend at least a few hours in the hospital or clinic so that your medical team can watch your recovery.