Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boulder, CO

Liposuction, also called aspiration lipectomy, removes excess fat through a suctioning process. This procedure removes fat deposits from areas such as the chin, checks, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs. It is one of the most common of all cosmetic procedures, and can be an effective technique for recontouring the body. The tendency to accumulate fat in areas such as the abdomen may be inherited, and this fat is often especially resistant to diet and exercise.

Before and After Photos

Who is a good candidate for Liposuction?

Candidates must be in good health, have no active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions, and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. Candidates should be adults, of any age, within 30% of their ideal weight and with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite.

NOTE: You may not be a candidate for surgery if you smoke, have recently quit smoking, or if you are exposed to second-hand smoke. Primary and secondary smoking decreases blood flow to the body’s tissues. This can result in prolonged wound healing, skin loss, infection, increased scarring, and a number of other complications depending on the kind of procedure performed.

How is the procedure performed?

A small incision is made in or near the areas to be suctioned. In some cases, these incisions may be so small that no post-operative stitches are required. An appropriately-sized tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incision to loosen excess fat. The fat is then removed using a surgical vacuum. Ultrasound may be used to assist liposuction in certain areas that would otherwise not respond well to conventional treatment. Your surgeon will evaluate your skin tone and elasticity, as well as fat density and distribution to determine the appropriate technique for your individual case.

Options to enhance the procedure?

In some cases, liposuction is used in conjunction with other procedures, such as a face liftbreast reductionmastopexy or a tummy tuck.

Planning for your surgery

Communication is vital in reaching your goals. You will have the opportunity to discuss your goals and the results you’d like to achieve. Your surgeon will work with you to reach an understanding about what you can expect from this procedure and what long-term benefits you will experience. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will choose the surgical technique and treatment plan that is right for you.

During your initial consultation

  • Provide a complete medical history. Include information about any previous surgical procedures; past and present medical conditions; and all medications or herbal supplements you are taking.
  • Expect your surgeon to conduct a complete physical examination.
  • Be prepared to discuss possible risks and complications of the procedure.

Preparing for your surgery

You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. A pre-operative information packet will be provided that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. Your surgeon will instruct you on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and which vitamins and medications should be taken or avoided. You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis. You may also want to make arrangements for someone to help you out for a day or two after you have the procedure.

Where will your surgery be performed?

Your procedure will take place in our office surgical suite, Rose Medical Center, St. Anthony Hospital or North Suburban Medical Center. The majority of these procedures are completed on an out-patient basis.

Types of anesthesia

You’ll remain comfortable throughout the entire procedure. In most hospital cases, general anesthetic is used so that you will sleep throughout the procedure. Local anesthesia with or without sedation is also an option for patients in our office procedure suite.

After your surgery

It is very important that you follow your surgeon’s instructions. This will promote healing and improve progress towards your new physical appearance. Also, it is important that you attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can assess your long-term results and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Liposcution post-op instructions

  • Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Follow balanced diet.
  • Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
  • Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen any products containing aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
  • Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
  • If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
  • Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Activities

  • Start walking as soon as possible, as this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
  • Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
  • Discuss your time off from work with your surgeon; this varies according to surgery.
  • Activities involving the affected sites should be minimized for approximately 2 weeks.
  • Exercise and activities such as sports should be avoided for 3-4 weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery.

Incision care

  • You may shower 48 hours after removal of the drainage tubes (when appropriate).
  • Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
  • Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
  • Keep steri-strips on; replace if they come off.
  • Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
  • No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place.
  • You will be discharged from the hospital wearing a pressure garment over the treated area. Most patients will wear pressure garment for 6-8 weeks.
  • Wear pressure garment 24 hours per day.
  • After showering, reapply pressure garment and gauze to cover areas of incisions.

What to expect

  • The small incision sites will be covered with gauze to protect these areas.
  • Most of the swelling and discoloration usually subsides in 6-8 weeks, but some may persist for 6 months or more.
  • Expect temporary numbness, bruising, swelling, soreness, burning sensation, bleeding, pain and discomfort.
  • May have fluid drainage from incision sites.
  • A drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin to prevent fluid build-up.
  • May feel stiff and sore for a few days.
  • It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following surgery; but, generally, after about a week, you should begin to feel better.

Appearance

  • Bruising may be apparent beyond the areas of liposuction, partially due to gravity.
  • You will have small incision sites at the point of introduction of the instrument used to remove the fat tissue.
  • A healthy diet and regular exercise helps to maintain your new figure.

Follow-up care

  • Any sutures are removed 7-10 days after surgery.

When to call

  • If you have increased swelling or bruising.
  • If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
  • If you have increased redness along the incision.
  • If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
  • If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
  • If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
  • If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
  • If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
  • If you have loss of feeling or motion.

Vaser liposuction

Precision body contouring

For those you who face the constant struggle to lose weight, despite your efforts of exercise and diet, VASERlipo™ can give you the transformation you’re looking for. Using a minimally invasive and precise liposuction technology, VASERlipo eliminates down time for recovery and gives you results in just one procedure. The procedures protects other tissues from damage by only targeting fat, this is called tissue-selective. This power and delicate technique can treat areas such as the arms or neck, as well as substantial areas of fat. VASERlipo has been clinically proven to leave you with smoother skin and produce even results.

Key benefits of vaserlipo:

  • Single procedure results with speedy recovery times
  • Improved body contouring over traditional liposuction
  • Easily removes large amounts of stored fat
  • Smooths skin even in delicate areas like the arms and neck
  • Refines and accentuates appearance of muscles

Schedule your Appointment

And Meet Directly With Dr. Roesner to Discuss a Treatment plan to meet your Aesthetic and Skincare Goals.

Schedule Appointment

Consult fee is $100 – which will be applied to the cost of the procedure
(If scheduled within 90 days).