An Overview of Liposuction Procedure Methods Available Near Washington, DC
Traditional liposuction, which is also referred to as tumescent liposuction, suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) or lipoplasty, has been used to remove excess fat deposits for more than 30 years and, although this procedure is not a substitute for natural weight loss, it does offer the patient a variety of benefits. During this procedure, Dr. Feledy uses a special solution to break up the fat so he can easily remove it.
An Ultrasound-Assisted Lipectomy
During an ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL), ultrasound waves are used to liquefy the fat. Once the fat begins to dissolve, Dr. Feledy, inserts a small tube (i.e., cannula). Using the cannula, Dr. Jules Feledy gently suctions out the liquefied fat.
MicroAire Liposuction using the PAL® LipoSculptor™
MicroAire Liposuction using the PAL® LipoSculptor™ is yet another innovative technique that Dr. Feledy uses for fat removal at Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Washington, DC. During this procedure, Dr. Jules Feledy uses the PAL® LipoSculptor™, which is a specially-designed, power-assisted device that when compared to the traditional liposuction wands, provides patients with a quicker and safer fat-removal option.
The VASERlipo™ Method
Dr. Feledy frequently uses the VASERlipo™ method. The LipoSelection® method can reduce the visibility of cellulite and target fat cells without causing damage to the surrounding tissues. This targeted, extremely precise approach provides the patient with exceptionally smooth and shapely results. Furthermore, since VASERlipo™ is less aggressive than traditional, laser-assisted and ultrasonic liposuction procedures are, the patient’s recovery time is shortened.
What Issues Can a Traditional Suction-Assisted Lipectomy Procedure Address?
A traditional suction-assisted lipectomy is unable to change a patient’s underlying dimensions; however, once the problematic subcutaneous fat is removed, the shape of the patient’s body improves significantly.
Areas where liposuction is frequently performed include the:
- Hips.
- Abdomen.
- Upper arms.
- Thighs.
- Neck.
- Double chin.
Several Procedures Can Be Performed During One Surgical Session
Liposuction can be combined with a variety of other procedures. Therefore, to maximize their overall benefits, many of Dr. Jules Feledy’s patients choose to have a combination of procedures performed at the same time. Patients who are interested in having multiple procedures during a single surgical session should discuss this possibility with Dr. Feledy during their initial consultation.
Who Should Consider Having These Fat-Removal Procedures?
The best candidate for any liposuction procedure is an individual who has persistent areas of resistant fat deposits, but who is close to his or her recommended body weight and size.
Your Initial Consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery for a Liposuction Procedure Near Washington, DC
Before having any of the liposuction procedures offered at Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Washington, DC, the first thing you need to do is schedule your initial consultation. It is during this consultation that Dr. Jules Feledy will determine which fat-removal method will provide you with the results you desire.
On the day of your initial consultation:
- Please bring a list of your current medications, vitamins and herbal supplements to this appointment. Please remember to add your surgeries, treatments and any ongoing health issues you have (e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.) to this list. By creating a list ahead of time and bringing it with you, it will be easier to fill out your registration forms on the day of your consultation.
- Dr. Feledy wants to know what you would like to accomplish with a liposuction procedure.
- Please be candid with Dr. Jules Feledy, as an experienced aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, he is familiar with all the reasons people choose to have liposuction. Being candid ensures that Dr. Feledy fully understands what you want to accomplish so you receive the best results possible.
- If you are interested in addressing other areas of your body at the same time, please speak with Dr. Jules Feledy about any other issues that bother you.
Please feel free to ask questions about other procedures: At Belmont Plastic Surgery, patients are given the information they request and are never required to undergo or even discuss the topic again.
Liposuction Procedures at Belmont Plastic Surgery near Washington, DC
The liposuction procedures that Dr. Feledy performs performed are outpatient procedures; therefore, you will return home several hours after your procedure is complete. These procedures can take up to five hours; however, if you choose to have several procedures during the same surgical session, you will remain in the procedure room for a longer period of time.
Dr. Jules Feledy takes the comfort and safety of his patients seriously, which is why each patient receives medication that makes him or her fall asleep. This medication is referred to as general anesthesia. It is administered by an experienced anesthesiologist. Throughout the procedure, the patient is continually monitored by the anesthesiologist.
Since patients receive anesthesia during these procedures, they are not permitted to drive themselves home; so, patients must bring a licensed driver with them on the day of their procedure. Please bring someone who is at least 18 years of age. The person you choose should be someone that you trust, implicitly.
*For the safety of our patients, Belmont Plastic Surgery does not permit the use of a ride-for-hire service or public transportation following any procedure requiring twilight anesthesia, general anesthesia or sedation.
A Traditional Suction-Assisted Lipectomy Procedure
1. Dr. Feledy will visit the patient in the pre-op area. He will use a marker to create himself an outline on the areas he will address during the surgery.
2. The patient receives a medication that puts him or her to sleep during the procedure. This medication is referred to as general anesthesia and is commonly used during surgical procedures. An experienced anesthesiologist administers the medication and monitors the patient during the surgery.
3. Once the patient is asleep, small incisions are created in the areas of the body next to the fat that is to be removed.
4. A saline solution that consists of normal saline, sodium bicarbonate, epinephrine, and lidocaine is injected into the targeted areas. This solution contains the numbing agent lidocaine to help the patient remain comfortable after surgery and the other ingredients break down the fat, making it easier for Dr. Feledy to remove. In addition, the infiltration of this physiological saline solution shrinks the patient’s blood vessels in the area being treated, which reduces blood loss.
5. Dr. Jules Feledy inserts a cannula through one of these incisions. This cannula is attached to a special machine that is specifically designed to suction out the excess fat.
6. Once he has completed removing the fat, he closes the incisions using sutures.
Since the incisions used for a suction-assisted lipectomy are small, any scars that result are inconspicuous.
Directly Following Your Traditional Liposuction Procedure: The Recovery Area
Once your procedure is complete, but before you awaken, Dr. Feledy and his medical team places you in a support garment. This elastic support garment can be compared to a girdle. The support garment covers and compresses the areas that Dr. Jules Feledy treated. Wearing this garment is essential because it limits fluid accumulation and provides a gentle, balanced pressure to the treatment areas to ensure that your final contouring results are as smooth as possible.
Patients wear this compression garment continuously (except while bathing) from two to four weeks. Dr. Feledy will inform you how long you will need to wear yours after your procedure.
What to Expect as You Recover from Your Suction-Assisted Lipectomy
Inflammation and bruising or skin rippling are common symptoms following a suction-assisted lipectomy procedure; however, these symptoms improve quite a bit within the first few weeks. The majority of Dr. Jules Feledy’s suction-assisted lipectomy patients can resume their normal activities within a week of their procedure: These activities include driving and walking. However, strenuous exercises and physical activities should be postponed until Dr. Feledy releases you to perform them: Most patients are released three weeks post-op. That said, each patient is unique and, therefore, patient experiences during recovery will vary.
Traditional Liposuction Results
Your final suction-assisted lipectomy results may take three months (sometimes longer) to become fully visible.
Fat Removal Using the PAL® LipoSculptor™ from MicroAire Aesthetics
MicroAire’s PAL® LipoSculptor™ is a unique, patented instrument system with a wand that uses a reciprocating motion (as opposed to a rotating one) to remove body fat and contour the body. MicroAire’s PAL® LipoSculptor™ is the only liposuction instrument that uses a reciprocating motion and has a US patent. This reciprocating motion facilitates the cannula’s movement within the tissue.
Power assisted liposuction (PAL®) removes fatty tissue with a motorized cannula. PAL® removes this tissue much quicker than can be accomplished with a traditional wand. Furthermore, this power assisted cannula is safer than the other wands, because it uses small, quick vibrations to break up the fatty tissue. Once the tissue is broken up, it is suctioned out. In addition, with the PAL® technique, Dr. Jules Feledy can remove a larger amount of fat, quickly.
With PAL®, the liposuction procedure is even safer. Using the power-assisted cannula’s vibrating tip, Dr. Feledy can make small, extremely precise motions. Specific areas can be targeted without concerns related to damaging any of the surrounding tissue. This reduces the physical effort and manual force necessary to perform this fat-removal procedure, especially in those areas that have fibrous tissue, which results in a more effective procedure for the surgeon and a more comfortable patient experience.
Potential Risks Associated with Liposuction Procedures
Each technique has its own risks; however, most potential side effects involve the patient’s final result. Through effective communication before and after the procedure, many issues related to body contouring and shape can be prevented. For this reason, Dr. Jules Feledy encourages his patients to ask questions and be candid about their concerns.
Possible risks associated with these fat-removal procedures include:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Poor wound healing.
All surgical procedures have potential risks and although the side effects listed below are rare, they must be considered before deciding to have liposuction.
Rare side effects include:
- Scarring.
- Contouring irregularities.
- Blood clots.
- Lidocaine toxicity.
- Nerve damage.
- A fat embolism.
- Pain.
- Puncture of an internal organ.
- Kidney problems.
- Fluid accumulation beneath the skin.
- Heart complications.
- Inflammation.
- Lung complications.
The best way to reduce your risk of suffering one of the rare side effects listed above is to choose an experienced, board-certified, aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon near Washington, DC, like Dr. Feledy, to perform your procedure.
As an experienced liposuction surgeon, Dr. Jules Feledy provides his patients with beautiful, natural-looking body contours. The medical professionals and surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery do everything they can to provide men and women in the Washington, DC area with the safest procedures available. Furthermore, the Belmont Plastic Surgery team works together seamlessly so as to ensure that every patient has the most comfortable recovery possible, has all his or her questions answered and attains optimal results.
What is the VASERlipo™ Technique?
With this revolutionary technique, Dr. Feledy removes unwanted fat pockets and reduces cellulite visibility with the use of minimally-invasive, refined ultrasound technology.
Unlike the traditional lipectomy method that uses a solution to break up the fat tissue, VASERlipo™ uses a probe that transmits ultrasonic waves. These waves break up and separate the fat cells; thus, liquefying the fat. This technique is so precise that it can target the excess fat without causing damage to surrounding tissues; thus, preserving the surrounding nerves and blood vessels.
6 Benefits of VASERlipo™ over a suction-assisted lipectomy include:
1. Striking results can be achieved in a single procedure.
2. Muscles can be refined and accentuated.
3. Vital tissues remain undisturbed because the ultrasound energy bounces off them.
4. Smooths the skin in the more delicate areas, including the neck and the arms.
5. Easily addresses areas that have accumulated a substantial amount of excess fat.
6. Many patients see some results immediately after their procedure.
Who is a Good Candidate for VASERlipo™?
The perfect individual for a VASERlipo™ procedure at Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Washington, DC, has cellulite or has accumulated fatty tissue in areas resistant to diet and exercise. In addition, the individual must follow a healthy diet plan, exercise regularly and already be within 15 percent of his or her recommended body weight. To find out your recommended body weight, review the information provided by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.
Which Areas of the Body Can VASERlipo™ Improve?
There are certain areas of the body that are better suited for VASERlipo™ than others. Because of its ability to provide extremely precise results, even more delicate areas can be enhanced using this procedure.
The areas Dr. Jules Feledy addresses with VASERlipo™ include the:
- Back.
- Arms.
- Chin.
- Abdomen.
- Hips.
- Neck.
- Knees.
- Outer thighs.
The VASERlipo™ Procedure
Dr. Feledy performs VASERlipo™ procedures at Belmont Plastic Surgery’s state-of-the-art surgical suite.
1. While the patient is in pre-op, Dr. Jules Feledy will use a specially-designed surgical marker to create himself a guideline on the areas being treated.
2. While performing a VASERlipo™ procedure, the patient receives medications designed to put him or her to sleep: The patient also receives local anesthesia.
3. Dr. Feledy creates extremely small incisions, which he uses to insert the cannula to remove the excess fat.
4. Dr. Jules Feledy inserts a very thin probe through one of the incisions. This probe emits ultrasonic waves throughout the incision area.
5. Once the sound wave energy liquefies the fat, the probe is removed and a cannula is inserted.
6. The cannula is gently moved around as the liquefied fat is removed using suction.
7. The incisions are closed using stitches.
8. Gauze dressing and tape is placed over each incision.
9. A compression garment is placed over the area(s) that Dr. Feledy treated (e.g., arms, outer thighs, etc.).
VASERlipo™ Recovery
VASERlipo™ provides patients with a less aggressive approach than that which is used during a traditional suction-assisted lipectomy; thus, resulting in an exceptionally smooth and shapely contour. In addition, since VASERlipo™ is a gentler method than its traditional counterpart, patients usually experience less bruising and a decrease in post-op pain. Furthermore, patients enjoy a quicker recovery.
What to Expect While Recovering from a VASERlipo™ Procedure
Dr. Jules Feledy will provide you with pain medication or recommend over-the-counter medication to help alleviate any post-surgical pain. The majority of patients are permitted to remove their dressings and take a shower the day after their surgery. However, each patient is unique and heals at his or her own pace; therefore, let Dr. Feledy know how you feel and the activities you think you are ready to perform. Typically, most patients can resume all their normal activities within three weeks of their VASERlipo™ Procedure.
Your expected VASERlipo™ recovery timeline:
- Walking promotes healing, so Dr. Jules Feledy recommends that his patients walk daily.
- Walking also helps prepare them to drive and return to work.
- Typically, patients return to work within seven days of their procedure.
- Exercise routines and other strenuous physical activities can resume after approximately six weeks.
- Scars will take some time to fade.
- It is vital that you do not expose your incisions/scars to UV rays for at least 12 months; otherwise, they may become more visible, permanently.
Potential Side Effects Following a VASERlipo™ Procedure
Potential side effects include:
- Temporary sensation loss.
- Scarring.
- Wavy-looking skin.
- Changes in the symmetry of the treated areas.
- Irregular-looking contours.
- Infection.
VASERlipo™ Results
Although limits are placed on the amount of fatty tissue a plastic surgeon can remove using VASERlipo™, most patients are able to attain the results they desire when they have this procedure. Moreover, since the body does not replace the fatty tissue that Dr. Feledy removes, the results achieved with any liposuction procedure will last several years, possibly longer if the patient lives a healthy lifestyle that includes an exercise routine.
Patients will see their final contouring results within six months of their VASERlipo™ procedure.
Maintaining Your Results
Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to maintain your results. Your healthy lifestyle should include implementing a regular exercise program and eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables. However, patients should always speak with their general practitioner before starting any new exercise program or changing their diet.
One of the worst things for your body is the practice of gaining and losing weight over, and over again. Therefore, try to maintain a steady weight. Ideally, try to reach and maintain the weight recommended for your height by the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Doing this will help keep your body in shape.
At Belmont Plastic Surgery, Patient Safety is Top Priority
As long as the guidelines for liposuction procedures, which are provided by the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, are followed, these procedures are completely safe. Since Dr. Jules Feledy is experienced with performing these procedures, and he is a board-certified, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon, patients know that Dr. Feledy will follow all the procedure guidelines to ensure patient safety. In addition, by following these guidelines, he ensures that each patient receives the best results possible.
Furthermore, by following the guidelines he can reduce the side effects that patients experience after their fat-removal procedures. Patients can reduce their likelihood of experiencing preventable side effects by following the pre- and post-surgical instructions provided by Belmont Plastic Surgery.
Does Health Insurance Cover Liposuction Procedures?
These procedures are considered cosmetic; therefore, health insurance will not cover them. However, Dr. Jules Feledy wants to help individuals feel good about the way they look, which is why Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Washington, DC, is happy to help patients apply for CareCredit.
If you are interested in learning more about the liposuction procedures available at Belmont Plastic Surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland, near Washington, DC, contact the office to schedule your complimentary initial consultation by calling (301) 654-5666 today. Dr. Jules Feledy will help you determine which liposuction method will provide you with the results you desire. Our office is located at 5530 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 818, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
