Liposuction is effective on many areas of the body: arms; abdomen; hips; thighs;
calves; ankles; and under the chin.

You will realize good results from this procedure if your skin has the tone and
elasticity necessary to achieve a smooth result following fat suctioning.

Dr. James will assess the quality of your skin and may ask you how your areas of
localized fat were affected by weight loss in the past.

Fat is removed by first inserting a small tube (a cannula) through tiny incisions close
to the area to be suctioned. Incisions are very small - usually under a quarter inch.

There are 3 methods of liposuction: a "dry" technique, a "tumescent" technique that
introduces large amounts of fluid and an ultrasonic technique. The latter two are
used most frequently today.

Though infrequent, some complications include bleeding, infection and reaction to
anesthesia. Skin numbness is to be expected and is usually only temporary. It is
possible, however, for some numbness to persist or even be permanent.
Occasionally, there is skin discoloration in the areas that have been treated.
Irregularities of the skin surface, including depressions or wrinkling can happen.

You will be asked to wear a compression garment for the first several days after
surgery so that the tissue can "learn" its new shape.

You can return to work in just a few days, though you will still have some swelling
and bruising; this subsides within about a week. It may take several weeks before
skin sensation returns.

It is not uncommon for a touchup to be performed later to further improve an area
that has been suctioned.