Body Procedures

Liposuction is a procedure in which a narrow tube or canal is inserted through a tiny incision and used to vacuum out localized deposits of fat leading to a re-contouring in the area of focus.

The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used. Dr. Marouk most commonly uses the Super-Wet technique. Fluid, a mixture of intravenous salt solution, Lidocaine (local anesthetic) and Epinephrine (drug that contracts blood vessels), is injected into the tissue before liposuction to support fat removal, reduce blood loss and provide anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.

Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires intravenous sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time. Small areas may be done under local anesthesia only. Liposuction is normally safe. Though they are rare, complications can and do occur. Risks increase if a greater number of areas are treated at the same time, or if the operation sites are larger in size. Removal of a large amount of fat and fluid may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations.

Although recovery times vary from patient to patient, pain medication is usually required for the first several days – appropriate should be taken. Patients are encouraged to resume moderate activities such as stationary bike and waking after about a week.

The scars from Liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after liposuction. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even baggy, especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur.

Although most patients notice a difference in the shape of their body soon after surgery, improvements become even more apparent after four to six weeks, when most swelling subsides. After about three months, any residual swelling usually disappears revealing the final contours.

The new shape created by Liposuction remains with the patient under reasonable maintenance of weight through diet and exercise. The normal aging process, however, can still effect changes in body shape.

Most-commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With a partial Abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not need to be moved.

Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs to reveal the vertical muscles of the abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new tighter position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

The skin is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for the navel and then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched. Dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain the excess fluid from the surgical site.

The procedure does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extent from hip to hip. Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare but do occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics. Blood clots can be minimized by resuming an active lifestyle as soon after the surgery as possible.

For the first few days, the abdomen will likely be swollen and pain and discomfort will need to be controlled with medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, patients may be released within a few hours following their surgery. In general, stitches will dissolve without the need to be removed, and the drain tubes will be removed about one week after the surgery.

It may take up to two months to feel back to normal, and those who start out with strong abdominal muscles tend to recover from Abdominoplasty much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.

It is important to make the pocket just large enough to accommodate the implant to avoid post-operative displacement. The implant is then carefully inserted into this space to insure the implant lies correctly. The same procedure is followed for the additional implant(s). The fascia and skin are closed with dissolving sutures, which are placed under the surface of the skin. Surgery usually takes one to two hours, depending on placement of three or four implants.

The long-term recovery phase begins two to three weeks after surgery that more normal walking and non-stenuous activities usually start. Strenuous activity such as bicycling, jogging and leg exercises must be avoided for eight weeks to allow more complete healing around the implant, which prevents shifting and displacement. Complete healing takes time and patience; taking up to one year, Follow up appointments will be scheduled periodically up to one year post-operatively, and annually thereafter.

Swelling will be present for up to 3-4 months but a dramatic difference is seen at 7 to 10 days after surgery. Any bruising may take 3-4 weeks to disappear. It will take one week to 10 days to return to work and approximately one month to resume strenuous exercising. The sutures are mostly internal but any external sutures will be removed around 10 days. The final scar will not be fully mature until one to two years after the surgery.

The length and location of the incisions depend on the amount of extra skin. The fatty tissue is removed and the sagging skin is trimmed. Then the skin is sutured into place leaving smooth appearance when stretched over the arm that is now devoid of excess fat.

TED Hose (tight compression socks) will be placed on the arms to help reduce swelling and provide support. No heavy lifting or straining for three weeks. Patients may shower the next day after the follow-up appointment with Dr. Marouk. Patients generally return to work in four to five days.

As with any procedure, patients can expect to experience some swelling, bruising, pain and discomfort which can be managed by regularly taking pain medication, along with other practices that Dr. Marouk will recommend. As the swelling begins to subside after 2-3 weeks, most patients resume work; however, patient should still avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for another couple weeks.

Although the exact protocol varies with each patient, depending on desired outcome and body type, generally, the body-lift procedure calls for an incision along the upper and/or inner thigh, to the waistline. In more aggressive cases, the incision circles completely around the waist and lower back.

After the excess skin and underlying fat is removed, the skin is sutured into a tighter position. The procedure can last anywhere from 3 to 7 hours under general anesthesia. As an extension of the full tummy tuck, the incision goes completely around the body lifting the skin from the underlying tissues.

Sleeping propped up tends to provide patients with the most comfort at night, with prescription pain medication helping to minimize any residual discomfort. Patients return the day after surgery to remove all bandages and the abdominal binder is replaced to help control swelling and give support to the abdomen. Patients are providing with instructions regarding the drains on each side of hip bone area. Walking around the house to aide circulation is highly recommended. The sooner one stands straight up and without fear of “pulling or hurting something” the faster healing process begins. Most patients are comfortable talking two weeks off for a mid body lift.

If you have tried to diet and exercise but still suffer from poorly developed buttocks, you might be a candidate for a butt augmentation with fat injections. This particular procedure is also refrred to as “Brazilian butt lift”. During the surgery excess fat is taken from other parts of your body via liposuction and then transferred to the buttocks.

Since your own fat is being transferred, this process is more natural and eliminates many of the potential risks and complications of implants. Some of the benefits of the fat injection method are no risk of implant rejection, provides a more natural look and feel, a qicker healing process and recovery time, no risk of capsular contracture, provides additional body sculpting since fat is removed via liposuction from other parts of the body, and minimal scarring.

This procedure is performed using general anesthesia, and can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on the extent of work that needs to be done. Dr. Marouk will begin by gently removing fat from your donor sites (typically the thighs, abdomen, back, or hips) using low-vacuum liposuction. These fat cells are then purified and inserted into the layers of the buttocks through small incisions.