Petite Girl: Liposuction, Smart Lipo, or Nothing? I Need Help Before I Go Through with a Procedure (photo)

Over the years I have tried almost all forms of liposuction.  In my opinion there is no advantage of laser assisted or ultrasonically assisted liposuction over the more conventional.

    Liposuction of some areas of fat deposition would be appropriate in you.  The preoperative picture of the other individual you show would not be a liposuction candidate as she already had abdominal definition.  If that is the postoperative photo of the same patient, the patient likely had a fluid collection that was not drained in quick fashion.  These results can be prevented if you follow the postoperative protocol.

If you are "Extremely concerned" and "a perfectionist"... then maybe surgery is not the best thing for you, based solely on your frame of mind.  It's better to think of these surgeries more as "an improvement", rather than "if it's not perfect, then I'll be mad / disappointed".


Also, the recovery from liposuction is significant, whether it's standard lipo, ultrasonic or laser-assisted.  Might not fit into your cheer calendar very well.

From the photos, I think you would get great results especially if you have the tumescent lipo with the small micro canulas under local which gives the best results. Do your abdomen and hips in 1 procedure and then your thighs and knees in a 2nd procedure which can be done 1 week later.  Each at a cost of roughly $5000 on special with you back to work in 2 days and exercising in 1 week. It may be at least 1 month before you are in that 2 piece outfit to look good with final results seen 4-6 months later. Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

You mentioned that you want flat ab's. You are a perfectionist and a petite woman whose weight fluctuates 12 pounds, which is significant weight fluctuation. If you are seriously considering liposuction, your results require that  you to stay on top of your weight fluctuation. If you put on 12 pounds after tummy liposuction, the fat needs to go somewhere and that means your hips, thighs, knees, arms or breasts. Maintain a lifestyle that keeps you at your target weight consistently. The newer technologies, such as Smart Lipo Triplex, which I use, are helpful in tightening skin with liposuction, but it is more important that you select a board certified Plastic Surgeon with a lot of experience with body sculpting. Even at your ideal weight, additional contouring and sculpting can improve body contour.  It is the Indian, not the arrow, that is the most important factor here. An experienced surgeon with a good aesthetic sense will provide the best results. 

I would use Vaser liposuction and a small cannula on your frame to limit the risks of contour deformity. It is important to choose a well trained plastic surgeon in you area. Good Luck!

Thank you for your question and photos. You mention your normal weight range, but do not mention your current weight.  A 12 pound range is significant for someone who is 5 feet tall.  While liposuction is an excellent procedure, it should not be used as a substitute for diet and exercise, and does not prevent weight gain (and a change in your appearance) after surgery.

Selecting a surgeon who is experienced in liposuction will decrease, but not eliminate, the risk of an outcome that would make you, as a perfectionist, unhappy.  The only surgery that does not have risk is surgery that is not performed, and if you have previously achieved your desired appearance through exercise you may wish to try exercise again prior to undergoing surgery.

Good luck.

 

 

Thanks for your post. It looks like you are in pretty good shape, but there are some areas that might be amendable to treatment with liposuction. When the price is too low or too good to be true, keep looking. For best results see a board certified plastic surgeon (with lots of liposuction experience) who can show you good results with his/her before and after photos. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

You're young, petite, and athletic, meaning that more than likely you could make additional progress through diet and exercise and avoid liposuction altogether. Witht he right physician and expectations, however, there is no reason that you will have a poor outcome like you're worried about. Make sure you express your concerns to your doctor, and get in the best shape you can before the procedure to maximize results. Best of luck!

Although it’s difficult to know how much fat you have based on the photos you’ve submitted, I think Smart Lipo is the best option for treatment of excess fat in your situation. Smart Lipo is minimally invasive, and when preformed by someone with appropriate experience in the technique, I have found that it gives superior results compared to other liposuction techniques. The instrumentation is miniaturized and therefore the “foot print” of the surgeon having been in the area is significantly reduced. In my hands Smart Lipo has given excellent results in patients like you and is a perfect choice for perfectionists. Down time is minimal, scars are smaller, and you will be back to cheering in no time !