Liposuction & VASER Lipo in San Francisco
Considering liposuction in San Francisco? Dr. Bermudez offers a variety of Liposuction options: including traditional surgical liposuction, and state-of-the-art VASER ultrasonic liposuction. Both types of liposuction can help patients eliminate excess fat on virtually any area of the body. San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Bermudez can re-contour your body and eliminate stubborn fat deposits with this highly effective cosmetic procedure.
More about Liposuction
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, pockets of fat in certain areas of the body won’t disappear, even with a steady diet and exercise. Liposuction is a proven, effective method for eliminating these fatty deposits and providing a more contoured look to the body. When performed by the extensively trained SF liposuction surgeon Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, this procedure can significantly reduce fatty tissue deposits in various areas of the body, including:
Legs
Thighs
Face
Chin
Neck
Abdomen
Buttocks
Flanks (love-handles)
Back
Ideal liposuction candidates are patients who are relatively physically fit, are less than 25 pounds overweight, and have excess fat in specific body areas. Liposuction is also very effective when used in combination with tummy tuck and other cosmetic procedures to provide optimal body contouring results.
Contact lipoplasty surgeon Dr. Kenneth Bermudez for more information.
Liposuction Options
Dr. Kenneth Bermudez has extensive experience and exceptional skills in performing a variety of liposuction techniques. His preferred methods of performing the procedure are two that are the safest and most effective for the patient, ultrasonic liposuction and traditional liposuction.
VASER Ultrasonic Liposuction
Ultrasonic liposuction, or VASER LipoSelection®, offers our patients the same benefits as traditional liposuction and more. The technique utilizes high-pitched sound waves to liquefy fat before it is removed from the target area. This allows Dr. Bermudez to remove larger volumes of fat at one time.
In performing ultrasonic liposuction, Dr. Bermudez first injects a tumescent fluid composed of saline, epinephrine, and an anesthetic into the treatment area. This solution helps to prevent fluid loss during removal of the fat, as well as make the fat removal easier to accomplish. Then Dr. Bermudez uses a special generator to create sound waves, which are transmitted to the thin, vacuum tubes (cannulas) used to remove the fat deposits. The ultrasonic waves break down the fat cells and liquefy them, and they are subsequently vacuumed out.
Incisions for ultrasonic liposuction are typically very small and easily hidden. The entire procedure generally takes less than two hours to perform with the patient under general or local anesthesia.
Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction involves the insertion of cannulas, long metal tubes used to suction out fat cells, into small incisions made in the treatment areas. Dr. Bermudez gently moves the cannulas back and forth under the skin and vacuums out fat deposits, eliminating excess fat and recontouring the area. Like ultrasonic liposuction, traditional liposuction is also a fairly quick outpatient procedure, typically taking less than two hours to complete, depending on the size of the area being treated. Liposuction may be performed using local anesthesia in many circumstances.
Liposuction Recovery
Recovery from a liposuction procedure can take two to six weeks. Approximately the same amount of time is necessary for the full results of the treatment to become apparent, depending on the size of the treated area. However, our liposuction patients are generally able to return to normal daily routines after about a week. There will be some residual swelling and bruising after the procedure, but this should dissipate as the area continues to heal.
Liposuction, performed in combination with a facelift, breast lift, and other cosmetic procedures, can be an ideal way of achieving complete cosmetic rejuvenation. Contact our cosmetic surgery office to schedule a consultation with our skilled surgeon and learn how he can help you attain your aesthetic goals.
Risks
As with any surgical procedure, traditional and ultrasonic liposuction are not without a certain degree of risk. Some of the risks include:
Reaction to anesthesia
Fluid accumulation
Fat or blood clots which can migrate to the heart or lungs, leading to death
Skin injury
Infection
Excessive fluid loss
Asymmetry (uneven contour or shape)
Friction burns
Damage to vital organs
Many of the above liposuction risks are extremely unlikely to occur. Dr. Kenneth Bermudez is highly skilled and trained in performing liposuction, and will take every precaution to ensure your safety.
Benefits
Liposuction has helped millions of patients all over the world eliminate stubborn, excess fat. It has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for decades and has a stellar track record as an effective treatment. Benefits of liposuction include:
Fat removal in virtually any body area
Improved health
Minimal scarring which can be easily hidden
Ability to wear desired clothing
Ultrasonic liposuction provides added benefits with its ability to eliminate large areas of fat at one time, as well as tighten the skin to create a contoured, fit appearance.
Liposuction FAQs
What kind of anesthesia is used for liposuction?
A traditional liposuction procedure uses local, twilight, or general anesthesia. For VASER LipoSelection®, or ultrasonic liposuction, general or local anesthesia may be used. Dr. Bermudez will discuss with you which anesthesia he will use during your procedure as well as other surgery details during your private, pre-surgery consultation.
How can I prepare for liposuction surgery?
As with any plastic surgery procedure, it is important that you meet with your surgeon in a private consultation where he can assess your candidacy for the surgery, discuss your medical background and aesthetic goals for the procedure, and answer any questions you may have. He will also discuss pre-surgery and recovery details with you at this time. To prepare for your surgery, it’s a good idea to stop smoking for at least the few days beforehand. Avoid certain OTC drugs and herbal supplements during this time, per the doctor’s orders.
At this time, it’s also a good idea to put recovery details in place, including planning on having someone drive you to and from surgery, and having someone stay with you for the first few days after surgery.
What should I wear after liposuction?
You will wear a compression garment for the first four to six weeks after liposuction surgery in order to minimize swelling. Aside from this garment, you will want to wear loose, comfortable clothing, as tighter clothing may rub against your incisions, irritating them and hindering the healing process.
What activities should I avoid after liposuction?
Avoid strenuous activities such as aerobic exercise, jogging, and lifting weights for at least two to three weeks or until advised by Dr. Bermudez. Avoid smoking for at least two weeks after liposuction surgery and avoid exposing your incision sites to the sun for at least 12 months after surgery; if sun exposure is unavoidable, use a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or greater.
How long does liposuction take to perform?
Both traditional and VASER liposuction procedures take less than one hour to perform, per area.
Is liposuction painful?
The treatment areas will be injected with local anesthesia to numb them so that you will have minimal discomfort during the procedure. In some cases, patients are also placed under general anesthesia to further manage discomfort.
How can I reduce swelling after liposuction?
A compression garment will be placed on you after surgery to help minimize swelling. In addition, anti-inflammatory medication can be taken, per the doctor’s orders. Some patients also benefit from lymphatic drainage massage therapy, though you should discuss with Dr. Bermudez if and when this is a good idea for you during recovery.
To alleviate swelling after liposuction, it is also important to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet during your recovery period. Light walking, when cleared by your doctor, is also encouraged in order to stimulate blood flow, which aids in healing and the reduction of swelling.
What sort of scarring is expected after the procedure?
As with any surgical procedure that involves incisions, scarring is inevitable. But because liposuction involves small incisions that are well-hidden in the natural folds and creases of the body, the resulting scars are minimal and barely noticeable.
Since the VASER liposuction procedures uses thinner, shorter incisions, scars are even less noticeable than those made during traditional liposuction. And like traditional liposuction, these incisions, and the resulting scars, are also well-placed and easily covered by underwear or bikini bottoms.
How much does liposuction cost?
Liposuction costs vary depending on the amount of fat being removed, the complexity of the surgery, and the patient’s individual surgery needs. That being said, the average cost of a liposuction procedure is approximately $3,000 per area.
What should I keep in mind when looking for liposuction near me?
The first, and most important, step to make when considering liposuction is to look for a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your procedure. Unlike cosmetic surgeons, which are medical doctors with only supplemental training in cosmetic surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Bermudez receive years of specialized training in plastic surgery. They are also certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the industry standard for the highest quality of patient care.
Do you have liposuction before and after photos?
Yes, we do! View our liposuction results in our liposuction photo gallery of happy patients.
Contact Dr. Bermudez
For traditional or ultrasonic liposuction, please contact Kenneth Bermudez, MD. He will be happy to discuss your liposuction goals with you, as well as all aspects of the procedure and what course of action will be best to suit your needs. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, call (415) 712-1800 today.
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