• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift/Mastopexy
• Breast Reduction
• Breast Reconstruction
• Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck
• Liposuction
• Thigh Lift
• Rhinoplasty/Nose Reshaping
• Face Lift
• Brow Lift
• Eyelid Surgery
• Otoplasty/Ear Reshaping
• Chin Augmentation
• Scar Revision
• Botox®
• Hyperhidrosis Treatment
• Restylane®
• Juvederm™
• Skin Cancer Treatment
• Treatment of Facial Injuries
• Surgery of the Hand

Overview Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure which is used to reshape different parts of the body by removing unwanted fat deposits.  The ideal patient for liposuction is one who is at or near their target weight, but has some troublesome areas that will just not go away.  These troublesome areas are initially injected with a wetting solution which prevents excessive bleeding and provides local anesthesia after the case.  Dr. Gallego uses a wetting solution that contains saline mixed with epinephrine and a long acting local anesthestic.  After the wetting solution has taken effect, narrow suction cannulas are placed through small skin incisions.  These cannulas assist in the removal of excess fat from a variety of bodily regions.  The most commonly treated areas are the abdomen, thighs, and flanks (love handles).  Compression garments are worn for the first 6 weeks after the surgery.  These garments assist in the healing process by preventing fluid collections and helping to alleviate swelling.

Anesthesia type:  General or IV sedation

Length of surgery:  2-4 hours depending on the number of areas treated

Risks:  Infection, bleeding, poor scars, asymmetry, seroma, contour irregularities, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, fat emboli syndrome

Average recovery time:  The majority of patients are able to return to work in 4-5 days.  Typically liposuction patients start to resume normal activity in 2-3 weeks and are feeling back to normal in 4-6 weeks.  Compression garments are worn throughout this time.  It usually takes six weeks for all of the swelling to subside and roughly six months for the skin to contract completely.

Duration of effect:  >10 years

More Images

• Liposuction Before and After Photos