Liposuction

Liposuction, performed in Chicago at our downtown practice, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures across the U.S. In a minimally invasive procedure, liposuction removes this resistant fat to reduce and reshape the treatment area. The result is improved proportion, and a slimmer, more balanced body contour.

Improved Contours With Liposuction

Anyone who has struggled to slim and tone specific areas of stubborn fat can understand the appeal of liposuction. Even people who are slender and fit often have isolated pockets of fat – often influenced by heredity – which they cannot shrink through diet and exercise alone. Liposuction is a technique for removing excess fat through the use of tiny suction tubes (cannulas). Although this procedure is commonly performed and relatively straightforward, only an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon should perform your liposuction surgery. Chicago plastic surgeons Dr. Thomas Mustoe and Dr. Sammy Sinno have refined their liposculpture techniques and aesthetic sensibility over many years, and have earned reputations for achieving beautiful results with optimal patient comfort.

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Good Candidates for Liposuction

Liposuction is not a weight-loss measure, and is not intended as a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Liposuction is performed for patients who are at or near their ideal weight, and have localized fat deposits that:

  • Distort the proportions of the body
  • Are resistant to diet and exercise
  • Negatively affect body image

Liposuction can reduce and re-contour areas such as the hips, thighs, knees, flanks, back, abdomen, chest, arms, chin, and neck (see illustration).

Liposuction Treatment Areas Diagrams

Combining Procedures

Liposuction is often combined with other body contouring procedures to create smooth, even results. It’s especially common for Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno to include liposuction with a tummy tuck because a tummy tuck alone doesn’t address pockets of abdominal fat that should be removed to get the optimal results. Women often combine these procedures with cosmetic breast surgery, such as a breast lift, as part of a mommy makeover. Liposuction can also be used in procedures performed to remove excess skin after significant weight loss, such as an arm lift.
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Advanced Liposculpture Techniques

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno perform liposuction as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia with sedation. They have found that patients have a favorable experience with a lack of awareness of the procedure. The utilization of sedation avoids many of the risks of general anesthesia, and allows easy repositioning of the patient for 3-dimensional sculpting and an optimal result.

The treatment area is infused with a tumescent solution, which contains anesthetic (lidocaine) and a vasoconstricting agent to reduce bleeding. The tiny cannulas our surgeons use allow for very small, inconspicuous incisions which leave less visible scarring than other approaches. The cannula is moved through the fat in order to break it up; then it is suctioned away through the attached vacuum tube. In addition to traditional liposuction, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno offer Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL) which utilizes ultrasound to assist with gently breaking up the fat prior to suctioning.

Dr. Mustoe’s and Dr. Sinno’s liposuction patients benefit from Dr. Mustoe’s many years of research in the areas of wound healing and scar prevention. The surgeons’ liposuction techniques, developed over many years, minimize injury and scar formation, resulting in improved appearance and comfort. Their refined aesthetic sense and skilled precision allow them to perform liposculpture even on smaller, more delicate areas such as the chin and neck. This is often used to enhance the results of a facelift or neck lift. Additionally, liposuction is often part of gynecomastia surgery to remove overly large breast tissue in men.

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno

Why Choose Dr. Mustoe & Dr. Sinno

Through extensive research and experience, Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno have developed several innovations that contribute to a better rhinoplasty procedure and result, characterized by:

  • Predictable, natural-looking outcomes
  • Use of local anesthesia with sedation
  • Shortened, more comfortable recovery
  • Minimal bruising
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Improved Liposuction Recovery & Results

Dr. Mustoe and Dr. Sinno are dedicated to improving surgical techniques and minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues during liposuction. Their patients experience a significantly more comfortable and shorter recovery due to their innovations in these areas. Depending on the area treated, patients can usually return to light activities within just a few days of their procedure.

Usually support garments are not needed, but they can help the initial swelling when worn up to 1 week after surgery. Bruising resolves within 2 weeks, and your incisions, which are tiny, will continue to fade over several months. Despite some swelling, results from liposuction are visible within 2 weeks, and will continue to improve over the course of several weeks. Results from fat removal with liposuction are long lasting. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight will allow you to enjoy your new body contours for many years.

Liposuction FAQs

What Is the Cost of Liposuction?

The cost of liposuction in Chicago depends on several factors, including the geographical location of the practice, the training and experience of the plastic surgeon, and the extent of the procedure that’s needed to produce the desired results. Patients interested in getting liposuction at our practice receive a detailed price quote after their consultations.

Is There a Difference Between Liposculpture & Liposuction?

Yes, there is. Most people are familiar with the term liposuction, which really refers to the process of removing fat. Liposculpture, on the other hand, involves a level of technical skill and an artistic eye to create sculpted results that are aesthetically pleasing.

Do I Need Liposuction or a Tummy Tuck?

The question of whether you need liposuction, a tummy tuck, or both is answered at the consultation. After your surgeon conducts a physical exam and listens to your concerns and cosmetic goals, he will typically recommend a specific treatment plan to achieve those goals. Patients in good overall shape whose skin retains most of its elasticity usually benefit from liposuction alone.

If you would like to learn more about liposuction in Chicago, request a consultation online with Dr. Mustoe or Dr. Sinno, board-certified plastic surgeons. Or you can call our office at (312) 788-2560 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.

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