Harrisburg Plastic Surgeons

Liposuction and Body Contouring- What Is the Difference Between Regular and Tumescent?

I'm considering having liposuction done on my abdomen and thighs. One clinic boasts of its postoperative care to help the body regain nice contours after lipo, eg endomology. Another recommended tumescent liposuction but has no contour services. Is body contouring necessary after liposuction? I can imagine the skin to be slightly saggy after that. Will wearing a compression garment alone make skin firmer? How good is tumescent lipo? Will I have unbalanced body from lipo? Thanks for your input!!

Searching for liposuctioning options can be very, very confusing. Here are some of my observations as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does only body work.

Tumescent technique involves injection of a lot of fluid that contains dilute lidocaine. The purpose being to numb the area and compress the blood vessels so that there is less bleeding. Most Dr.s do the super wet technique(although they call it tumescent) and that works very well also. I don't think anyone uses the old tech of no fluid or epinephrine. Neither of the above techniques is better than the other.

There are many ways to do liposuctioning from traditional with just the lipo cannulas, laser lipo where the area is treated with the lase first(has better skin contraction), ultrasonic lipo where the area is treated with ultrasound first, water assisted lipo where the area is treated with a water jet at the same time as the lipo and other less defined techniques. They all work and some may work better than others in the hands of certain plastic surgeons.

After lipo there are many ways to treat the area. You can massage with a machine or with a therapist-it fells good but may not be any better than no massage. You can treat with ultrasound, again there is no definitive proof that this is better than other methods. You can wear compression garments for variable periods of time and again there is no scientific evidence that there is a big difference.

Probably the MOST IMPORTANT issue is the experience of the Plastic Surgeon who is doing the procedure.

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

I'm 6'1", 155lbs, and Very Athletic. My Dr. Recommended I Go with 475cc. Will This Size Interfere With My Triathlons? (photo)

I am a 6'1" and weigh 155lbs, I have had 3 kids and am very athletic, my doctor recommends that I go with a 475cc implant, I know I have a big frame but will these be too big and weigh to much? I am a triathlete and love to run. I don't want to have back problems because of the implants.

The reason someone has a breast augmentation is for the "look" The size and style of the implant to create that look is then evaluated and the downsides are discussed. Generally, the larger the implant the more "issues"; activity interference, drooping, thinning of the breast tissue, etc. You really cannot evaluate these based on the size of the implant and patient alone. The ultimate decision is arrived at by discussion between the patient and the plastic surgeon.

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Is 18 Too Young for a Breast Augmentation Consultation?

I have wanted implants ever since my breasts stopped growing in my early teens. I have looked at many before and after photos and I believe I may have hypomastia. I have recently turned 18 and believe I am ready for this surgery. My parent is supportive of whatever decision I make but as I will be the one paying for this surgery it is ultimately my choice. I have the money and ability to do this now. My question is are doctors hesitant to discuss/perform breast augmentation on someone my age?

The decision of breast augmentation in an 18 year old depends on many factors. These are addressed during the consultation with your plastic surgeon. You need to be sure you are a candidate, are doing it for the right reasons, understand the short and long term consequences and have the maturity to make these decisions. 

John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon