Liposuction

One of the most popular cosmetic procedures, liposuction has long been the answer to staying slim and trim, removing stubborn pockets of fat resistant to rigorous diet and exercise regimen. Saddlebags, love handles, thunder thighs – all cute names for decidedly un-cute aggregations of fat – can only be eliminated with liposuction.

A double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with one of the most sought after practices in Southern California, Dr. Michael Omidi performs liposuction using a power-assisted tumescent technique which is much gentler, yields better contouring results, and has less downtime than other methods. An experienced specialist in minimally-invasive procedures, Dr. Omidi favors this technique for its advantages with regards to limited bleeding, faster recovery, and reduced bruising and swelling. His patients often choose to combine liposuction with other procedures such as breast augmentation or tummy tuck to achieve a dramatic transformation in their appearance.

Before and After Photos

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ARE YOU THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION?

Best candidates for liposuction are healthy individuals who have already achieved stable weight. Because this procedure should not be treated as a shortcut to weight loss, Dr. Omidi recommends his patients implement healthy lifestyle changes in order to attain a desired weight prior to liposuction. That being said, even the most vigorous exercise and healthy diet often fail to eliminate resistant fat deposits.

Liposuction offers safe and reliable means of addressing these stubborn pockets of fat in the chest area, abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, upper arms, calves, neck, and chin.

One of the most experienced liposuction specialists in the greater Los Angeles area, Dr. Omidi will not only focus on getting rid of your excess fat but also enhance your body contour, making sure that your treated areas are in harmony and proportion with the rest of your body. In addition, while weight loss programs can give you that slender form you always wanted, they can also have the unfortunate effect on deflating your bust. In this instance, breast augmentation will allow you to complement a newly-gained slim figure with rounder and fuller breasts.

While liposuction has been enjoying steady popularity among female patients, Dr. Omidi has also observed that increasing numbers of men are requesting this procedure to stay fit and feel young. In addition to more traditional suction-assisted and power-assisted techniques, he implements ultrasound-assisted liposuction that is most suitable for male patients insofar as it treats dense fat and larger areas. After years of performing liposuction on both male and female patients, Dr. Omidi knows that men who come in for this procedure not only wish to enhance their physical attractiveness but also remain competitive in today’s job market.

PREPARING FOR THE PROCEDURE

Scheduling a consultation is a crucial first step in undergoing plastic surgery. It allows your plastic surgeon to carefully assess your needs and discuss your expected results. During your consultation, Dr. Omidi will be honest and forthright in determining whether liposuction is right for you. For instance, patients who are morbidly obese (e.g., over 100 pounds above ideal weight) should not expect liposuction alone to remedy the situation. However, if you are within 30 percent of your normal weight and wish to eliminate fat in stubborn “problem areas,” such as a potbelly or saddlebags, then you are most likely an ideal candidate for the procedure.

A firm believer in building a close personal rapport with patients prior to surgery, Dr. Omidi insists on giving each prospective patient enough time to present reasons for requesting liposuction and then going over every step involved in this procedure. To ensure that the procedure goes smoothly, he will also instruct you to refrain from smoking and avoid certain medications that may increase the risk of bleeding. It is crucial to be completely honest during the consultation so that your surgeon may obtain sufficient information about your prior medical conditions or drug allergies. Such a careful and personalized approach to preparing the patient for the procedure ultimately pays off because it eliminates miscommunication and allows Dr. Omidi to effectively realize the patient’s vision of desired liposuction results.

VARIETIES OF LIPOSUCTION

Because liposuction is one of the most common and sought-after procedures, it should come as no surprise that Dr. Omidi uses a wide range of techniques to accommodate different kinds of patients. For instance, the most traditional form of liposuction utilizes a suction-assisted technique that draws excess fat out with a vacuuming pump. This procedure is extremely versatile and widely used to sculpt away surface fat, resulting in a sleeker contour and trim appearance.

While most liposuction candidates are expected to have a stable or declining weight prior to the procedure, experienced and skilled plastic surgeons often use large volume liposuction procedure to treat plus-size patients.

Considered to be safe and highly effective, this type of liposuction can eliminate 4 to 5 liters of fat in just one session, taking off multiple sizes and endowing you with a desirable slimmer silhouette. Drawing on the tumescent technique, large volume liposuction involves the injection of dilute lidocaine into fatty tissue making the targeted areas swollen and firm. It also utilizes epinephrine that shrinks blood vessels and effectively eliminates excessive surgical bleeding. Large volume liposuction requires only a local anesthetic and results in significantly less bruising, thereby reducing postoperative discomfort.

By eliminating that particular “problem area,” a mini liposuction can produce a subtle effect on your body contour that will go a long way towards achieving that perfect form you always dreamt of. In addition, mini liposuction has an obvious benefit of taking less than one hour and resulting in minimal swelling. Requiring a very minor cannula to remove the excess fat, this procedure does not involve any sutures. Typically, the patient can return to work and resume daily activities the next day after mini liposuction.

THE PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY

Regardless of the type of liposuction you choose to elect, sufficient hydration before and after the procedure is essential to successful surgery and smooth recovery. The procedure typically takes only 20 to 90 minutes, with anesthesia administered to ensure that you experience no pain during the procedure. However, depending on your individual circumstances, liposuction may take longer, especially if a high volume of fat is to be removed.

After the procedure, Dr. Omidi and his staff will regularly follow up to ascertain that you are enjoying a smooth healing process and, if necessary, prescribe medications to relieve any discomfort. Most patients are able to return to work or school within 7 days. That being said, you should refrain from strenuous exercise for at least several weeks after surgery to prevent trauma to the treated areas.

Typically, only one treatment is needed, yielding long-lasting results that will bring you satisfaction for many years to come. Even though liposuction permanently removes fat cells, neighboring fat cells may continue to develop, interfering with your desired contour. Therefore, it is important to practice good dietary habits and exercise regularly to keep your slim new figure for a long time.

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