Liposuction
Enhance Your Figure Without Implants at Chicago’s Iteld Plastic Surgery
You diet. You exercise. You diet and exercise. You try exercising, then dieting. Then exercising some more. And still stubborn bulges remain. At some point, you have to admit that 5-mile morning runs and celery sticks for snack time are not going to help you lose that last bit of localized fat. The answer, instead, is liposuction. Chicago-area plastic surgeon Lawrence Iteld, MD, uses the surgical procedure—also known as lipoplasty, suction lipectomy, or liposculpture—to help shape patients’ bodies to give them slimmer, sleeker contours.
The problem with fat cells is that we don’t typically gain or lose them in adulthood, so all our efforts to trim inches from our waistline and reduce bulk simply shrink the cells—or at least some of the cells. We can’t control which cells reduce in volume, which is why a belly bulge might go down, but a double chin remains. Blame it on genetics. It’s important to eat right and enjoy (or tolerate) regular physical activity for health reasons, but for many people, to achieve their final, desired fat reduction means tailored body sculpting. Great results depend on choosing an experienced and talented plastic surgeon who uses proven liposuction techniques. Liposuction can be performed on most areas of the body that have fat, including the abdomen, love handles, hips, back, thighs, arms, neck, and even face. If you can grab it, it can be contoured.
Before & After Gallery
Meet the real patients and see their results after working with Dr. Iteld and his team at Iteld Plastic Surgery.
How Liposuction Works
The basic principle behind liposuction is simple: If fat cells refuse to change size, they can be suctioned out.
There are a few variations on this method, but they generally all involve a surgeon injecting a sterile solution to firm up the targeted fat. This so-called “tumescent fluid” helps make post-op recovery less painful. It contains a diluted anesthetic that numbs the area while constricting blood vessels to reduce the risk of bleeding.
With the targeted tissue properly firmed up, the surgeon then makes a very small incision, inserts a hollow wand called a cannula, moves the cannula back and forth to separate the fat cells from the surrounding tissue, and suctions out the loose material. This allows surgeons to get rid of fat without having to cut it away. When fat is removed, the small canals where it was stored close up, and the skin ideally retracts and tightens.
Types of Liposuction
One key variable, when it comes to liposuction, is how the fat is freed. Dr. Iteld mostly uses power-assisted liposuction (PAL), which replaces the surgeon-powered back-and-forth motion of the cannula with automated motion. Since he doesn’t have to devote attention to waving the (magic) wand, Dr. Iteld can deliver more precise, sculpted results. The PAL technique can target tough fat deposits and is ideal for reducing large quantities of fat. It is also faster than the standard method and causes less trauma to the tissue, which means healing times are shorter.
Depending on the extent of fat removal, surgery may take several minutes or up to several hours.
Not all fat is the same! That’s why Dr. Iteld uses various shapes and sizes of cannulae to optimally treat different areas. The fat harvested via liposuction is suitable for use in other procedures, such as fat transfer breast augmentation and Brazilian butt lifts. The collected fat can later be used to add volume to areas where we want fullness, such as the breasts and buttocks, transferred to the cheeks for an improved and more youthful appearance, or used to correct contour irregularities from prior liposuction.
MeetLawrence Iteld, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf VERIFIED doctor
Lawrence Iteld, MD, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a highly regarded Chicago based plastic surgeon, receiving awards from Chicago Magazine’s Top Docs, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors®.
Meet Lawrence Iteld, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
RealSelf VERIFIED doctor
Lawrence Iteld, MD, is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and a highly regarded Chicago based plastic surgeon, receiving awards from Chicago Magazine’s Top Docs, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors®.
So you’ve decided you want this transformative surgery, but the initial steps seem a little daunting? Choosing a trusted, knowledgeable plastic surgeon with an aesthetic style that matches your own can make the process run smoothly and help you achieve your desired results. This is not a “try it and see what happens” deal. Anyone interested in liposuction is advised to learn about the procedure so they feel well informed and comfortable with their decision.
Dr. Iteld offers comprehensive consultations so patients can explain their unique goals for the cosmetic surgery and their lifestyle. He can also get relevant information about each patient’s unique anatomy and medical background. This is the time to ask any possible questions you may have about the surgery. Before choosing liposuction, some patients may be advised to have a medical evaluation or get lab testing done. They may also be given dietary guidelines.
Most physicians advise you to quit smoking before and after liposuction, as the nicotine can hinder the healing process and, thereby, ideal results. Pre-surgery guidelines also typically include instructions to avoid taking certain medications (such as drugs that may increase bleeding) several weeks prior to the big day.
Liposuction FAQs
So you’ve decided you want this transformative surgery, but the initial steps seem a little daunting? Choosing a trusted, knowledgeable plastic surgeon with an aesthetic style that matches your own can make the process run smoothly and help you achieve your desired results. This is not a “try it and see what happens” deal. Anyone interested in liposuction is advised to learn about the procedure so they feel well informed and comfortable with their decision.
Dr. Iteld offers comprehensive consultations so patients can explain their unique goals for the cosmetic surgery and their lifestyle. He can also get relevant information about each patient’s unique anatomy and medical background. This is the time to ask any possible questions you may have about the surgery. Before choosing liposuction, some patients may be advised to have a medical evaluation or get lab testing done. They may also be given dietary guidelines.
Most physicians advise you to quit smoking before and after liposuction, as the nicotine can hinder the healing process and, thereby, ideal results. Pre-surgery guidelines also typically include instructions to avoid taking certain medications (such as drugs that may increase bleeding) several weeks prior to the big day.
Suctioning out fat requires an incision, no matter the fat-loosening method used, which means there will be some healing time required. Treatment areas may be wrapped in a compression garment or elastic bandages to help control swelling during recovery. Patients can expect some minor bruising and discomfort.
That said, the gentler liposuction techniques Dr. Iteld uses reduce the amount of recuperation needed. Most patients are back to work in just a few days.
A reduction in volume should be visible right away, though liposuction can cause some swelling that may obscure the full scope of the new contours at first. Once the swelling goes down a few weeks later, the sleeker lines can be enjoyed. Can you say, “Time to go shopping!?!”
Liposuction does remove fat cells, but unfortunately it isn’t a magical weight-loss method. Following a healthy exercise and diet routine is important for maintaining your new appearance in the long-term.
Not only can Dr. Iteld perform a liposuction that allows a patient to avoid highly-addictive opioids during the recovery period, he can take a narcotics-free approach to any larger procedure that may include liposuction—tummy tucks, breast reduction, and body lifts.
Liposuction is, of course, fat removal, but it is not a surgery meant to replace general weight-loss efforts (that dieting and exercise we talked about earlier). That means potential liposuction patients should be in good health, have a positive outlook, and at least be close to their target body weight (that’s ideally within 30 percent).
With the advanced techniques Dr. Iteld uses, he can perform liposuction that reduces volume in a large area—such as the entire abdomen—or small areas where subtle contour changes are desired.
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Iteld admits that liposuction surgery is not for everybody. Patients who want a slimmer look—but who aren’t fans of the recovery or of what liposuction costs—have options, too, including non-invasive CoolSculpting®. This treatment is entirely nonsurgical, using special technology to cool down unwanted fat cells and send them out of the body—no incisions required. Another option, Kybella®, is an injectable containing a naturally occurring acid that helps in the breakdown and absorption of the fat cells that make up a double chin and similar small pockets and bulges.
Which fat-reduction method is right for you? The good news is that you don’t have to decide right now. Dr. Iteld can help you determine the best option at a personalized consultation. That’s the ideal time to talk details, including liposuction cost and more.
Contact Us Today
Discover more about liposuction cost, variations, and results from Chicago board-certified plastic surgeon Lawrence Iteld, MD. Send a message online or call 312.757.4505.
