What is Liposuction?

Liposuction or suction assisted lipectomy (SAL) is the process of contouring the body through the removal of fat. A long, hollow, blunt, metal canula (tube) is inserted through small incisions and fat is aspirated or removed using a vacuum suction devise. This allows sculpting those diet and exercise resistant areas to achieve the figure that you desire. Dr. Kayser is a Michigan Plastic Surgeon who is Board Certified in Plastic surgery. As a perfectionist, Dr. Kayser will take all measures necessary to ensure that your results are the best that he can offer. Please view the gallery of before and after photographs of liposuction patients.

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Who are good candidates for liposuction?

The ideal patients are those who are close to their ideal body weight and in good physical condition. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss – it is a contouring procedure for areas of the body that are diet and exercise resistant. These would include the abdomen, hips, and thighs in women and the abdomen and flanks in men. The face, breasts, back, and calves are also areas that liposuction can be effective. Finally, the quality of skin can also be a factor since skin retraction will occur after liposuction. In most cases, liposuction can be an excellent procedure with a relatively quick recovery and noticeable improvements in body contour.

What are the different types of liposuction?

Traditional liposuction uses mechanical vacuum assisted aspiration to remove fat through the metal canulas mentioned above. The other commonly used method – ultrasonic liposuction - involves the use of ultrasonic vibration to literally explode the fat cells. The fatty material is then removed by vacuum suctioning. This method generally reduces the overall operative time but there is the risk of burn injury and even permanent irregularities if areas of fat are dissolved where not intended. Another method of liposuction combines traditional liposuction combined with an oscillating canula to help facilitate breakdown and aspiration; this is called power assisted liposuction (PAL). New technology is constantly developing, unfortunately, much of what is promoted are just trends and often do not meet the test of time. Dr. Kayser and his staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

What is tumescence?

Over the years, liposuction has evolved considerably. There was a time when nothing more than suctioning of fat was performed. Today, however, a fluid mixture (tumescence) containing lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline (salt water) is infiltrated into the areas being suctioned. This helps expand the areas so that the fat is more accessible and that the risk of bleeding is reduced.

What are the incisions used in liposuction?

Liposuction uses a number of very small incisions – about ¼ inch each – placed at various sites to allow insertion of the canula. These are often not even closed since they will seal all by themselves and fade to almost nothing in about a year.

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