Liposuction is not a substitute for diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. After a patient has achieved his or her desirable body weight, there may be areas of fatty tissue that just will not go away. The fat deposits that are ideally treated with liposuction should be discreet, well-defined areas that are out of proportion to the rest of the patient’s fat layer.
Liposuction of small areas may be performed using local anesthesia and mild sedation. Larger areas are usually treated under general anesthesia. The treatment area is first infiltrated with an anesthetic solution consisting of saline, Lidocaine, and adrenaline. The fat in this area is then removed by the movement of the hollow tube – called a cannula – back and forth while the suction is in force. The fat collects in a canister and is discarded. The patient is then placed in a compression garment to reduce swelling.
Dr. Wetherington also offers a unique form of liposuction known as SmartLipo, which is performed using mild sedation and local anesthesia. A laser fiber is passed through the fat, causing it to break into smaller pieces and warm the dermis to promote shrinkage of skin.
