As we age, our metabolisms gradually wane and we start to store more fat in our bodies. This fat can often become unsightly and cause embarrassment as it accumulates in conspicuous areas. If this sounds similar to your situation, you may find that these stubborn deposits of fat are resistant to your efforts of diet and exercise, leaving you frustrated and unsure of how to achieve the slim, toned figure you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Fortunately, we may have the solution for you!
At South Tulsa Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brenda Schiesel offers liposuction to eliminate areas of fat and give you the sculpted shape you desire.
If you are considering liposuction in Tulsa, OK, please contact South Tulsa Plastic Surgery today by calling 918-518-5144 or completing the form on this page to schedule your free initial consultation with Dr. Schiesel. We proudly provide services to women and men in the Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, and nearby areas of Oklahoma.
On this page we discuss:
- What Is Liposuction?
- Benefits of Liposuction
- Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?
- Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
- Your Liposuction Procedure
- Liposuction Recovery
- Exercising After Liposuction
- Maintaining Your Liposuction Results
- Call Now for a Free Liposuction Consultation
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes unwanted pockets of stubborn fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is not, however, a weight loss procedure. You can't use liposuction as a shortcut to dramatic weight loss. The procedure is designed to improve your figure by eliminating localized fatty deposits from almost any part of your body, including your:
- Abdomen
- Upper arms
- Back
- Hips
- Thighs
- Chest (male breast reduction)
Dr. Schiesel will listen to your aesthetic concerns and discuss all of your treatment options during your free initial consultation.
Benefits of Liposuction
A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential components of looking and feeling your best. However, if you want to eliminate stubborn fat, a healthy lifestyle can only go so far. For many people, despite their nutrition and fitness regimes, stubborn fat continues to linger. This can be the result of genetics or other uncontrollable factors that render you unable to eliminate fat with diet and exercise alone.
Liposuction can be a significantly beneficial and life-changing procedure for many of our patients. Some of the benefits you may experience include:
- An improved body contour and more toned, fit figure
- Improved health associated with fat loss
- Improved appearance in clothing and swimwear
- Motivation to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle in order to sustain your new figure
- Increased self-confidence and Improved self-image
Liposuction doesn’t just improve the way your body looks; it improves the way you feel and the way clothes fit on you. This is especially true for areas of the body like the thighs, waist, hips, and breasts, where improving these contours naturally enhances the way clothing fits.
Once liposuction eliminates unwanted fat cells, those cells are gone forever. However, this doesn’t prevent new fat cells from developing and weight gain from occurring. In order to maintain your new figure, it’s essential to commit to healthy nutrition and exercise routines.
Am I a Candidate for Liposuction in Tulsa, OK?
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. and most people are good candidates for treatment. However, liposuction isn’t right for everyone. The best way to know with certainty whether the procedure is right for you is to meet personally with Dr. Schiesel in a free initial consultation. During this confidential initial meeting, Dr. Schiesel will listen to your goals, assess your physical condition and medical history, and determine your candidacy for liposuction.
If you suffer from stubborn pockets of diet-and-exercise-resistant fat, you are likely a good candidate for liposuction if you:
- Are in good overall shape
- Are at or near your ideal body weight
- Have good skin elasticity
- Have reasonable expectations for the procedure
Dr. Schiesel will take the time to ensure you have a thorough understanding of what liposuction can and cannot achieve before performing your procedure. She will walk you through your recovery timeline so you know what to expect after liposuction.
Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
Dr. Schiesel offers power-assisted liposuction (PAL). The PAL technique utilizes a vibrating cannula to break up stubborn deposits of fat, allowing for a more complete removal of unwanted fatty tissue.
In addition to helping remove a larger amount of fatty tissue, PAL may offer benefits to our Tulsa liposuction patients, including:
- Less damage to surrounding tissue
- Smaller incisions
- Decreased risk of excessive bleeding
- Reduced postoperative pain and discomfort
- Fewer complications
- Shorter recovery period
Of course, each person responds differently to liposuction, but PAL reduces trauma both with the incision and while removing unwanted fat cells, which can make it a more comfortable and less risky way to shape and tone your frame.
What To Expect from the Procedure
Dr. Schiesel performs liposuction as an outpatient surgery, which allows you to begin your recuperation in the comfort of your own home. There are a number of factors that can affect how long your customized procedure will last. Your treatment time depends on the location of your procedure; the number of areas you choose to target as well as the amount of fat you’d like to remove.
To minimize discomfort, anesthesia will be administered before your surgery. You’ll learn more about your anesthesia options prior to surgery and work with Dr. Schiesel to determine the best approach for your comfort and well-being.
After making a small incision in the region from which fat will be removed, a tumescent formula made of epinephrine, lidocaine, and adrenaline will be injected into the area. This will not only help to break up the stubborn pocket of fat, but it will also minimize bruising, reduce bleeding and deliver a localized anesthetic to the treated area. Dr. Schiesel will then use a thin, hollow, vibrating instrument, called a cannula, to suction out the unwanted fat cells from your targeted areas.
Liposuction Recovery
Because of the anesthesia’s lingering effects, you’ll need to arrange a ride home from someone after your procedure. We also advise that you ask someone to stay at home with you for the remainder of the day to help you get situated and comfortable. You should plan to get a lot of rest during your first day of recovery and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Mild swelling and bruising are common after surgery, but these effects will eventually diminish over the first two to four weeks of recuperation. You’ll be given a compression garment to wear over the treatment areas during this time to help manage swelling and hold your skin to its new contours.
Any pain you may experience following liposuction surgery is usually minimal. Dr. Schiesel will discuss your pain medication options and prescribe appropriate medications to help you manage discomfort during the first stage of your recuperation. She will schedule follow-up visits at several intervals throughout your recovery to ensure the process is on track. While everyone heals at their own pace, most patients can usually return to work after about a week.
Returning To Normal Activity
While it’s important to get plenty of rest following your procedure, we encourage you to start walking gently as soon as you can. Light movement facilitates healthy blood flow and reduces your risk of problems like blood clots. During the first couple weeks of your recovery, you should begin to gradually increase your level of activity. In the majority of recoveries, it is safe to resume most daily routines after about two weeks.
Although many patients are eager to get back to their regular exercise routines as quickly as possible to maintain their liposuction results, we urge you to be patient and focus on your healing first. In order to prevent complications with your recovery and healing, avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for about four to six weeks. Dr. Schiesel will inform you when you are allowed to exercise again.
Maintaining Your Liposuction Results
Much like your return to exercise after surgery, you’ll also need to be patient with your liposuction results. Typically you won’t be able to see your initial results for a few weeks. As your swelling continues to subside, you will also see your results continue to improve. It can take up to three or four months before fully enjoying your final results.
Once Dr. Schiesel removes your unwanted fat cells with liposuction, they won’t come back. In this way, your liposuction results are permanent. However, you can still gain weight after your surgery if you fail to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Because of this, the best way to ensure your liposuction results are long-lasting is to commit to a healthy lifestyle that involves diligent exercise and a nutritious diet. If you’re unclear about what changes you may need to make to your eating and exercise habits, it may be beneficial to work with a personal trainer or nutritionist who can help guide you on the path toward healthy living.
Schedule Your Free Consultation for Liposuction in Tulsa, OK
If you are considering liposuction in the Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, or Owasso areas of Oklahoma, please contact South Tulsa Plastic Surgery today online or at 918-518-5144 to schedule a free initial consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brenda Schiesel. We look forward to meeting you!
