Plastic Surgeon Dr. Elan B. Singer Offers Advice on Liposuction

by Alexandra Kilpatrick

Do you regularly work out yet still find that certain body areas just won’t trim down? SmartLipo is the perfect procedure for anyone who struggles with problem areas and wants a more flattering streamlined appearance, according to plastic surgeon Elan B. Singer, M.D. with Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

Liposuction offers a slimmer, shapelier physique by permanently removing fat deposits that develop between skin and muscle tissue on problem areas. The technique has risen in popularity over the past few years. Liposuction replaced breast augmentation in 2013 as the most frequently performed elective surgery, increasing 16 percent with almost 364,000 liposuction procedures performed, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

“Liposuction isn’t a fix for obesity or a weight control method, but it can improve your appearance and self-esteem for a lifetime when combined with exercise and a proper diet,” Joshua Fox, M.D., medical director of Advanced Dermatology P.C., commented in a press release. “When a healthy, active lifestyle doesn’t contour your body the way you wish, liposuction is a great tool to finish the job.”

Excess fat typically collects in different areas for men and women, but common problem areas include the waist, hips, thighs, back, upper arms, buttocks, calves, chin, jowls and neck.

Liposuction tends to last two to four hours, depending on the size of the problem area addressed, and uses local anesthesia. A cannula, or tube device, suctions fatty tissues while the patient rests.

SmartLipo, or tumescent liposculpture, uses a small laser to liquefy fat deposits through the skin’s top layers, sealing blood vessels and melting fat to reduce bruising and swelling.

“Liposculpture offers an even more refined result than conventional liposuction since the patient can stand or kneel during the procedure, allowing critical aesthetic adjustments that promote a better outcome.” Dr. Singer explained in the press release.

To prepare for liposuction, patients are usually asked to stop smoking, begin taking certain medications, adjust current medication doses or undergo lab tests or medical evaluations.

Liposuction carries potential yet minimal side effects, like temporary bruising, swelling and soreness. Most patients return to work within a few days and normal activities within a week. While recovering, patients are usually asked to wear a compression garment or elastic bandages over treated areas to control swelling and compress the skin to new body contours.

“Sometimes, people forget that liposuction is a minor form of surgery, only focusing only on their desired physique,” Dr. Singer commented in a press release. “But if you follow your doctor’s advice and treat your body with care, the end result will be completely worth it. Liposuction can be a gift you give yourself that keeps on giving.”

If you are a Naperville resident interested in learning more about SmartLipo, please feel free to schedule a consultation today!