Some individuals have areas where there are collections of excessive fatty tissue. Sometimes these problem areas can be corrected with diet and exercise, but some cannot. Genetics plays a significant role, as people will have a tendency to inherit areas where they collect fat. Sometimes they are just unable to lose the fat in those genetically predisposed places. Liposuction is a procedure that can remove these unwanted fat pockets, and Dr. Patrick Sullivan—our board-certified plastic surgeon—is dedicated to using his artistic skill and surgical ability to perform liposuction in a way that emphasizes results and safety.
Dr. Patrick Sullivan is a master of cosmetic surgery, with a specialty on artistic contouring and shaping of the face and body. He has completed thousands of contouring procedures and has taught his techniques to thousands of plastic surgeons from around the world. If you are interested in exploring your options for liposuction at our practice, please call or use the form at the right to contact us for a consultation.
- Our Approach to Liposuction
- Liposuction Procedure
- Liposuction Myths
- Combining Liposuction with Other Procedures
- Liposuction Recovery
- Liposuction Results
Our Custom Approach to Liposuction
There are specific methods and techniques that Dr. Patrick Sullivan uses in his effort to bring out a pleasing body contour. Liposuction is a technique that removes fatty deposits from various places of the body. Fat is stored differently in various parts of the body and thus the optimal treatment involves removal of fat in a way that is most successful for the specific region. Our approach is to carefully evaluate you and have you tell us about your specific concerns. We want to find out the history of the areas that are a problem for you, and if you have had success with dieting and exercise. We are committed to finding solutions for your body contour problems, even if it does not involve surgery.
The Procedure
Liposuction involves only a small incision in the skin through which a narrow tube known as a cannula sucks the fat away. Dr. Sullivan will use a variety of types of liposuction and ultrasonic body contouring in an effort to find the very best treatment for the specific areas that are a problem for you. The liposuction/body contouring procedure is generally performed in our private surgical suite using local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation and either the tumescent or ultrasonic techniques. For patients who desire hospital services, Dr. Patrick Sullivan is on the faculty of Brown University and the staff of Rhode Island Hospital and Women & infants Hospital.
Common Liposuction Myths
Can liposuction really be permanent? I have heard that liposuction will cause me to gain weight in another area of my body.
Fat cells are microscopic and are a stable number after an individual reaches adult age. We have billions of fat cells by the time we are adults. But once we are mature we don’t make new fat cells. Fat cells do, however, increase and decrease in size based on when we gain and lose weight. Thus, when we gain weight, the fat cells grow in size. If liposuction is done in a particular area, such as the hip region, and half the fat cells are removed, the patient will always have less ability to deposit fat cells in the hips. The body proportion is permanently changed even if the patient gains weight. If someone gains a great deal of weight, it will cause the individual fat cells to deposit more fat in the areas that have been treated; thus, when patients remain at a stable weight through exercise and dieting the results are certainly the best. Fluctuation in weight is a problem both before and after liposuction. When weight is lost after surgery, the result is usually even more improved. Patients tend to find it easier to lose weight after liposuction. If weight is gained, however, fat will be deposited in the areas that were treated as well as other areas. No one can definitively say where the fat is going to go. Liposuction is an absolutely terrific method of removing certain fatty deposits. Liposuction is permanent if you follow through with a healthy diet, exercise, and remain at a stable weight.
Is liposuction is a procedure for patients who are trying to lose weight but are unsuccessful?
An ideal candidate for liposuction is someone who who exercises, eats a good diet, and has an overall healthy lifestyle but has particular pockets of fat that are bothersome and don’t go away with dieting and exercise alone. This person has specific areas that can be successfully treated and bring about an artistic shape that nicely complements the other beautiful features of their body. In other words, liposuction is most effective in treating isolated pockets of fat when diet and exercise are not enough. Liposuction is not an ideal procedure for overall weight loss.
Combined Procedures
Liposuction is frequently combined with other body contouring procedures. This combined approach adds efficiency to the surgery, as liposuction can often times bring about a more optimal artistic contour. Liposuction of the face and neck can also be performed. Frequently, this can be combined with other facial procedures, as we need to take many factors into account other than just the fatty deposits themselves. Dr. Patrick Sullivan is an expert in a full range of plastic surgery and cosmetic surgical procedures. He routinely performs liposuction, tummy tuck surgery, breast surgery, and facial plastic surgery. Liposuction is frequently combined with these procedures in order to give patients an optimal result.
Deciding to have plastic surgery was a very long and complicated process for me. Dr. Sullivan and his staff were extremely patient, informative, kind and welcoming during this process. Being 8 weeks post-op, I can say without hesitation that Dr. Sullivan is the best in the business. His work, care and results far exceeded my expectations. I am so thrilled that I found Dr. Sullivan and decided to proceed with surgery. Surgery under Dr. Sullivan’s care has been life changing and improved my quality of life immensely.
Liposuction Recovery
Well over 90% of our liposuction patients are treated with intravenous sedation without general anesthesia. The recovery from intravenous sedation tends to be remarkably fast. Upon completion of the procedure, people get up into a chair and go right out into the recovery room area. When they are comfortable and have nicely recovered, they are then discharged to a family member or friend who takes them home. Our liposuction/body contouring patients frequently will go back to work a week after surgery. We encourage activity from the day of surgery on, and give detailed instructions about the activity levels in our “bible†of perioperative instructions.
Renowned for Natural Results
Liposuction surgeon Dr. Patrick Sullivan is widely recognized by his peers and his patients for his artistic abilities on liposuction and body contouring. We have an extensive before and after photo gallery that features actual patients who have given permission to showcase their results. Many patients use the gallery to help visualize what can be achieved through liposuction. Our approach to the body contouring procedure is as unique as each patient choosing to gain a shapelier figure and there is no substitution for a consultation with Dr. Sullivan. If you are ready to take the next step and schedule a consultation, we invite you to contact our experienced staff today.
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