Liposuction & Body Contouring
Are you struggling with stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise? At Volpe Plastic Surgery, led by the renowned Dr. A. George Volpe, we understand the frustration of not seeing your hard work pay off.
From our office in Newton, MA, Dr. Volpe offers advanced liposuction procedures to help patients achieve a more refined and contoured physique.
What is Liposuction?
Also known as liposculpture, or simply lipo, this popular technique involves removing fat via tiny incisions to improve your body’s contour. Commonly treated areas include the abdomen, back, armpit region, thighs, lower legs, arms, and under the chin and neck region. Results can be quite dramatic for the correct candidate.
When performing liposuction, plastic surgeon Dr. George Volpe seeks to alter the body contour through fat removal to emphasize the body’s desired curves and the underlying muscular structure. This is also known as high-definition liposuction or liposculpture. The beautiful curves of the body can be accentuated in a more natural fashion. Dr. Volpe’s expertise is what makes him among the best liposuction surgeons in Newton, MA.
Target Stubborn Fat: Common Liposuction Areas
Liposuction can effectively treat various areas where fat accumulates and is resistant to traditional weight-loss methods. Dr. Volpe customizes each procedure to address your unique concerns and aesthetic goals.
Who is the best candidate?
Lipo may be performed on physically healthy men and women with normal body weight but stubborn areas of excess fat. This is commonly seen around the face (chin, cheeks, neck), and body (upper arms, abdomen, flanks or “love handles”, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles).
Liposuction can also be used to treat gynecomastia, a condition that causes the male breast to become enlarged. Lipo can be used to remove excess fat or as part of a more extensive male breast reduction procedure.
Liposuction patients should have relatively elastic skin to achieve the best results. Liposuction is not recommended for individuals with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or poor circulation. A consultation with your surgeon is recommended to determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure.
* Individual results may vary.
Photo Gallery
View before-and-after pictures of real patients of George Volpe, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Liposuction Techniques
While the basic principle of liposuction has remained essentially the same for many years, many types of liposuction are now available in the marketplace. These include laser, ultrasound, waterjet, radiofrequency, and power-assisted types of ultrasound. Most studies show no difference between the various methods.
Like Dr. Volpe, most board-certified plastic surgeons prefer the tumescent technique. This effective technique is felt to have the lowest risk of complications compared to many of the other methods that employ high energy. This technique for fat removal, which has been around for many years, minimizes bruising and helps achieve a smoother result.
How does tumescent liposuction work?
Tumescent liposuction is a time-honored, safe, and effective technique for contouring the superficial fat of the body. After a thorough discussion of concerns and objectives, both during your consultation and before the procedure, the contours of the body area to be treated are marked.
Tumescent fluid, a mixture of sterile water with very dilute local anesthetic and adrenaline, is injected into the area to be liposuctioned. The volume of the water helps spread out the fat cells to allow for a more even result. The local anesthetic provides relief from the discomfort, and the adrenaline minimizes any bruising.
Non-invasive Techniques
There are several non-invasive techniques available for changing one’s body contour. These can include Sculpsure and CoolSculpt, which cause fat cells to warm or cool until they dissolve. Kybella, an injectable medication, is also used to dissolve fat cells under the chin.
In general, these techniques can be used when one has a small amount of unwanted fat and has realistic objectives. Invasive techniques such as lipo allow for much greater removal of fat with a much more dramatic change in contour.
Fat Transfer
Some patients elect to undergo fat transfer. This procedure involves the reinjection of fat suctioned into areas where volume is desired. This technique is used in a number of body areas, including the buttocks, breasts, and face. Similar to grafts of other body tissue types, such as skin grafts and bone grafts, fat that is injected is considered a fat graft. This newly injected fat incorporates itself into the new area.
Still, like all tissue in the body, it requires oxygen and nutrients through circulation. This process takes several days, and special care is taken to protect the areas where fat has been transferred.
Anesthesia for Liposuction
Liposuction can be performed under local or more general (sleeping) anesthesia. Local anesthesia is usually reserved for the correct candidate undergoing smaller-area liposuction. Sometimes, this can be performed in the office. However, general anesthesia may be preferred when undergoing larger-volume liposuction or in more than one or two areas of the body.
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Written on November 24, 2018
“The result was even better than I expected! I was ready for a change. I can’t thank Dr. Volpe and his staff enough for the great job they did!”
Your Consultation
The decision to modify your body contour should not be taken lightly, and all options should be evaluated. A consultation includes a discussion of your goals, lifestyle, nutritional habits, and general health, combined with a careful physical exam. At your appointment, we will review your objectives, all alternatives, and their pros and cons, and help you make an informed decision about choosing the right path to your desired shape!
The Liposuction Procedure
Short incisions are made in discrete areas such as skin folds or pre-existing scars. Careful attention to incision placement avoids the telltale signs of liposuction from misplaced scars. Suctioning is performed with thin tubes called cannulas connected to a vacuum source.
Dr. Volpe utilizes several sub-techniques when performing liposuction, including SAFE liposuction, high-definition liposuction, and, for some, abdominal etching. When the contour that is the objective is achieved, the incisions are closed, usually with a single nonvisible stitch under the surface of the skin, which dissolves. There is no need to have sutures removed!
Post-Liposuction Care
When the liposuction procedure is finished, a foam layer is placed over the area treated for several days. On top of this, an elastic compression garment (cinta, faja) is worn for several weeks. The garment can be removed for showers, but it serves important functions. Initially, the garment helps minimize swelling and bruising, and over the next several weeks, it helps guide the skin as it settles into the new shape.
In general, as with many plastic surgery procedures, the final results of liposuction may take 3-4 months and sometimes longer. Most of the swelling and bruising subside in 2-3 weeks, and one notices a dramatic change in appearance at this point. It’s time for compliments from family and friends!
However, there still are normal healing changes that take longer. Dr. Volpe often recommends post-liposuction massage to the treated areas, which can be performed by yourself or by an experienced post-liposuction massage therapist.
The Cost of Liposuction
The cost of the procedure will vary based on the amount of work needed to attain the desired results and the number of areas being treated. As an experienced liposuction surgeon, Dr. Volpe will meet with you in his office to discuss all financing options during the consultation process.
Why Trust Dr. Volpe
Patients from Boston and across New England choose New England Plastic Surgical and Aesthetics (NEPSA) because Dr. A. George Volpe is not just a plastic surgeon but an artist with a deep understanding of human anatomy and aesthetics. Dr. A. George Volpe oversees evaluation, planning, and operative execution to maintain the highest standards of care and provide optimal outcomes.
Our Newton, MA office is equipped with advanced technology to ensure safety and excellent results. We prioritize patient comfort, safety, and satisfaction from your initial consultation through your entire recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Consultation
Dr. Volpe is known by his patients as the Best Liposuction Surgeon in Boston and New England, MA. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your liposuction. We are here to provide you with the attentive care you need throughout the entire process and are dedicated to giving you the results you want.
