Liposuction is a very common, popular procedure. It is designed for the permanent removal of fatty tissue, commonly referred to as “cellulite.” It is an elective procedure that allows the plastic surgeon to remove undesirable, subcutaneous fat in isolated areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. These areas include the hips, thighs, abdomen, knees, ankles, face and neck.
Liposuction is most successful in people with good skin tone who have fatty deposits. It is not a treatment for obesity. If weight gain occurs following liposuction, the fat will be deposited in areas that have not been treated. The procedure can be repeated, if necessary. To maintain the safety of the procedure, there is a limit on how much can be done at one time.
A variety of factors can affect the results: Physical condition, genetic makeup, diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, and skin elasticity.
Liposuction can help reduce and remove localized excess fat in the following areas:
- cheeks, jowls and neck
- upper arms
- breast or chest areas
- back
- abdomen and waist
- hips and buttocks
- inner and outer thighs
- inner knee
Dr. Soueid performs liposuction using the Microaire Power-assisted Lipoplasty system; this new technique offers a lot of advantages.
Power Assisted Liposuction: The Latest Advance In Liposuction
Liposuction, a surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat from the body, has been labor intensive process for the doctor as well as the patient, but now there is a new procedure that is less traumatic: Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL).
While liposuction, like any surgery, has its risks, doctors are reporting less bruising, less swelling and a quicker recovery time for patients undergoing power-assisted liposuction. Dr. Soueid has adopted this procedure in his practice with excellent results.
In power-assisted liposuction (PAL), a new and improved microcannula powers through the fat and vacuums it out. The cannula is attached to a hand piece, powered by nitrogen, which causes it to vibrate. The vibration, or reciprocation, is 4000 times per minute. This low speed reciprocation delivers enough energy to the tip of the cannula so it passes easily through the fat with almost no physical effort by the surgeon. This result is greater control and less trauma to the patient. The vibration also assists in passing the cannula through fibers and scar tissue.
Power assisted liposuction has several advantages over ultrasonic assisted liposuction: the power assisted liposuction cannula are smaller (microcannula), resulting in smaller scars: there is no potential for burns with the power assisted liposuction; operation takes less time with power assisted liposuction, therefore is safer for patients; and postoperative pain is less with power assisted liposuction. Also with PAL there is less fatigue for the surgeon, allowing being more precise and focusing his attention to the sculpting aspect of the procedure. Power assisted liposuction is more effective in revisional surgery and in areas that are traditionally more difficult like chest and back.
Dr. Soueid feels that all these advantages make power assisted liposuction the way of the future, where high technology is used in combination of an artistic touch to create a beautiful result.
