Many people are unhappy with the fatty pockets around their stomach that are resistant to diet and exercise. At present, liposuction ranks as the number one plastic surgery procedure in the US.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 400,000 liposuction procedures were undertaken in 2015 alone.
The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, led by board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton M. Sundin and Dr. Reps B. Sundin, provides liposuction body sculpting to patients in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and surrounding communities.
What Stomach Liposuction Does
Aging leads to a general redistribution of body fat, especially around the mid-body area. In women, childbirth may cause the development of undesirable, stubborn body fat. In addition, genes also impact this aspect significantly. However, as far as liposuction is concerned, all fat is not the same.
The fat that is unresponsive to diet and exercise is typically subcutaneous fat. This form of fat is located underneath the skin and on top of the abdominal muscle wall.
How Abdominal Liposuction Is Performed
A technique, known as “tumescent liposuction,” is typically used to eliminate fat around the buttocks, thighs, stomach, and ankles. This procedure is considered to be the safest. “Tumescent” refers to the copious amounts of saltwater that is injected into the fatty tissue underneath the skin.
The surgeon places an incision in the fatty area to be treated and subsequently inserts a thin tube (cannula) beneath the flesh. The cannula is connected to a vacuum and has a stiff wand at the end.
The surgeon manipulates the cannula back and forth in a rapid manner to break down the fat. It takes between 45 minutes to two hours to complete the procedure. This procedure involves a downtime of up to two weeks.
The complete effects of the abdomen liposuction typically become apparent in six to 12 weeks. The surgeon will bandage the area following the procedure and will instruct the patient to wear a compression garment for one to two weeks. The patient may experience bruising and pain for up to two weeks. The inflammation may last from two weeks to two months.
What Stomach Liposuction Cannot Do
Liposuction plastic surgery is meant to be a fat-loss procedure, rather than one designed for weight-loss. It is most suitable for the treatment of fatty deposits in specific areas. These fat pockets are unresponsive to exercise, especially around the thighs, hips, stomach, and buttocks.
The patient may lose a little weight from this procedure, but it will likely not result in significant weight reduction. Additionally, liposuction cannot treat a stomach that is bulging due to weakness in the abdominal wall. It cannot tighten loose skin. At times, liposuction is performed along with a tummy tuck to tone and flatten the abdominal area effectively.
Post-Op Healing
After tumescent liposuction, patients usually do not need any pain meds stronger than acetaminophen (Tylenol). The pain feels similar to the burning sensation felt after an aggressive exercise session, similar to muscle soreness.
The pain intensity is similar to that of sunburn. The intensity is the highest when the skin is touched or flexed, such as when entering or getting out of a vehicle, sitting motionless in a chair, or rolling over in bed. The patient will feel minimal discomfort when sitting or walking.
Plastic surgeons at VIPS receive patients from Richmond, Fredericksburg, Tysons Corner, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and nearby areas for liposuction body contouring.
For more information on the surgical and non-surgical procedures and treatments by Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeons Dr. Reps Sundin and Dr. Burton Sundin please visit
www.drsundin.comwww.m-body.comwww.plasticsurgerywashingtondc.comServing Richmond, VA, Fredricksburg, Williamsburg, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Vienna, McLean, Fairfax, Loudoun County, Ashburn, Tysons Corner, Reston, Arlington and surrounding communities.
