Dr. A. Chasby Sacks is the pioneer of liposuction in Arizona. He was the first Surgeon to perform liposuction here and has been performing the procedure on men and women for over 20 years. Areas of the body that respond well to liposuction surgery include the neck and jowls, cheeks, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, knees, hips and abdomen. Liposuction may also be used for small breast reductions in cases where there's little sagging or to remove fat at the sides of the breast. In a small percentage of cases, only the small lipsuction scars would be necessary. This procedure is becoming more popular because the tiny incisions greatly reduce scarring. Men with enlarged breasts can also benefit from this technique.
Lipodissolve:
This is a non surgical alternative to liposuction.
Lipodissolve is the injection of a substance called Phosphatidylcholine into the fat to permanently dissolve the fat cells (provided you do not gain weight) in 'trouble areas". Phosphatadylcholine or PCDC is a natural product found in our bodies. Its primary role is to help emusify and breakdown fat and cholesterol. The PCDC that is used is derived from soybeans and has the same molecular structure as the PCDC in our bodies.
PCDC has been used to reduce fat deposits for about 10 years now, but has been used for other medical reasons for much longer. It has been used intravenously to dissolve atheromatous plaques in heart disease patients and to dissolve fat embolism. Taken orally it has been used as a liver protection agent.
What areas can be treated? Abdomen, 'love handles', back fat, 'saddle bags', thighs (inner and outer), side of buttocks, arms, 'double chins', cheeks, and jowls. In men it can be used to reduce breast fat, (gynecomastia) if there are no abnormal hormonal levels causing this disorder.
Does it improve cellulite? Unlike regular surgical liposuction, lipodissolve can improve cellulite.
What does treatment with PCDC involve? Local anesthetic cream is applied for about 1-2 hours and then the area is systematically injected with Lipodissolve through a tiny needle. 1-4 treatments per area are required at two monthly intervals, although most patients require just 2-3 treatments.
Who are the best candidates for Lipodissolve? It is most suitable for those patients who want to reduce localised fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is not used for weight reduction but rather for body sculpting.
Patients who are pregnant, breast feeding or planning pregnancy in the next 6 months are not candidates for PCDC.Also patients who have severe liver or kidney problems, auto-immune diseases such as Lupus or immunodeficiency are not candidates for Lipodissolve treatments.
When will the results be evident? This varies from patient to patient but are usually seen at 6-8 weeks and continue to improve with more treatments.
Will the results last? The fat cells seem to be permanently removed from the treated areas and once you have achieved your goal ongoing treatment is not required. Long term studies have shown that the results of this treatment have remained 7 years after the treatment was performed provided that weight gain is not excessive.
What are the side effects of Lipodissolve? Commonly, patients experience temporary soreness, swellingand bruising of the treated area. You can go straight back to work after the treatment but this would depend on the amount of soreness you have, the area treated and the type of work you do. Going back to work the next day is the most common scenario. Uncommon side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, itching, fever, infection (rare) and prolonged bruising.
What is the difference between Lipodissolve and Liposuction? Liposuction is a surgical procedure and anesthesia or sedation is generally required. It also has a longer recovery period and reqires the use of compression garments. Lipodissolve using PCDC is a non-surgical, walk in, walk out procedure with usually no sedation or anesthesia (other than topical) required and it has minimal down time.
It is possible to treat multiple areas simultaneously with liposuction, however generally only one area is treated with Lipodissolve. A larger amount of fat removal in one session is possible with liposuction. Skin may become a little loose with liposuction but usually tightens with Lipodissolve and cellulite may be improved with lipodissolve.
Are Lipodissolve or PCDC injections safe? Lipodissolve has been safely performed on thousands of patients in many countries for many years.
Liposuction surgery is a surgical procedure in which fat cells are removed from the body. A small tube attached to a high-pressure vacuum suction inserted through a small incision in the skin, extracts excess fat cells. Because the procedure does not involve large incisions and extensive cutting, there is little pain, rapid healing and minimal scarring. Most patients are completely ambulatory immediately after surgery.
Dr. Sacks was one of the first 10 surgeons in the USA to use the safer water cooled ultrasonic liposuction machine which he felt had certain advantages in achieving the best possible results. Now Dr. Sacks prefers to use a laser to assist in liposuction. This FDA approved device allows easier removal of fat and decreases inflamation, lessens pain, and speeds healing. ( Channel 10 News interviewed Dr. Sacks regarding this laser). Make an appointment to visit Dr. Sacks and learn more about the newest advances in liposuction. Please call Arizona Cosmetic Surgery at (602) 277-1111. If you are outside of Arizona, please call (800) 765-2771.
Liposuction (or lipoplasty) is a body-sculpting procedure to remove fat that is unresponsive to dieting and exercising. This procedure can be applied to nearly any area of the body and is commonly used on multiple areas during an operation. Liposuction results in a slimmer and better proportioned figure. Liposuction is used effectively to reduce love handles, saddlebags, a double-chin, a bulge around the waistline, or other unsightly fatty deposits in order to develop a better shape and create a more beautiful body.
Reasons for Considering Liposuction:
Liposuction should not be a replacement for proper exercise and diet. Instead, liposuction is a reduction procedure for stubborn areas where fat accumulates. Used in combination with several areas of the body, liposuction can provide a well proportioned body appearance. Ideal surgical candidates are those already in good physical condition but having stubborn areas that do not respond to diet and exercise.
General Procedure
Liposuction can be done under general anesthesia with the patient asleep or under local anesthesia with sedation where the area is numbed and the patient remains somewhat awake but comfortable. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or “cannula” is inserted and used to vacuum out the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The surgeon determines the amount of fat to be removed by massaging the skin and squeezing the tissue. After eliminating the excess fat, the incisions are closed by applying a compression dressing or bandage to the area in order to prevent bleeding, reduce swelling, and support the affected area.
There are several different types of liposuction procedures, such as tumescent or ultrasound liposuction, that have developed as a result of recent advancements in new technologies. Together the patient and the surgeon can discuss which method(s) are best during the initial consultation visit. Liposuction can last from thirty minutes to several hours depending upon the amount of fat to be removed. Liposuction surgery is an excellent procedure that can benefit those who want to remove unattractive fatty deposits.
Recovery Process
New techniques allow for faster recovery from liposuction procedures. The length of the recovery will depend on how extensive of an operation the patient undergoes. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest withgradual increase in activity and movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. A support garment may need to be worn for several weeks after the surgery, depending upon which area(s) are selected to utilize the liposuction procedure. Following the procedure, Laser treatments and massage may be used to hasten healing. Patients sometimes report moderate pain associated with surgery which can be treated effectively with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk for potential problems by carefully following the directions given after surgery.