If you follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly, but still suffer from stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to your efforts, consider undergoing liposuction surgery with Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat. Dr. Mussat performs liposuction to remove localized fat deposits from nearly any area of the body, for a slimmer, sleeker look.
What Liposuction Treats
Certain factors, such as the natural aging process, major weight fluctuations or hereditary traits can cause fat cells to accumulate under the skin where they become stuck. When this happens, cosmetic surgery is needed to remove the fat deposits from under the skin. Dr. Mussat can perform liposuction on the knees, thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, flanks, back, upper arms, neck and chin. The result is a svelte contour throughout the treatment area.
Suitable Liposuction Candidates
Unlike abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck” surgery), which is performed to excise excess abdominal skin and repair the underlying musculature, liposuction is strictly performed to remove fat. For this reason, suitable liposuction candidates have healthy, elastic skin that will shrink back to a smaller size and shape once the excess fat is removed. In addition, appropriate candidates for liposuction generally include patients who:
- Adhere to healthy lifestyle practices but still suffer from stubborn fat deposits
- Are in good general health, both physically and mentally
- Have realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery, and are seeking aesthetic improvement, not necessarily perfection
- Recognize both the advantages and possible disadvantages of surgery, including the potential risks
- Are at or just slightly above their ideal body weight
- Are at a body weight they feel they can maintain after surgery, as gaining a substantial amount of weight (i.e., about 10 percent or more of one’s current weight) can cause the remaining fat cells in or outside of the treatment area to grow larger
- Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
The best way to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for liposuction is to visit Dr. Mussat for a one-on-one consultation, during which she will evaluate your physique, listen to your aesthetic concerns and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
About Liposuction Surgery
Dr. Mussat typically performs liposuction surgery on an outpatient basis, under general anesthesia or local anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation. The choice of anesthesia depends on the body part treated, how many body parts are treated and the overall complexity of the patient’s surgical needs.
To start the traditional liposuction procedure, Dr. Mussat makes a very small incision in the treatment area. When removing large volumes of fat, she might introduce a tumescent solution, comprised of saline and a local anesthetic, into the treatment area to facilitate fat removal and minimize bleeding. Dr. Mussat then inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula through the incision, through which she suctions out the unwanted fat cells. Dr. Mussat may also use ultrasound or vibrating energy to assist in fat removal.
Once Dr. Mussat has removed the unwanted fat cells, she dresses the treatment area with soft bandages and an overlying compression garment (to minimize swelling and support the tissues while they heal). Because the incisions needed for liposuction are so small, they do not usually require stitches. Although some of the aesthetic benefits of liposuction are visible immediately after surgery, the final results become apparent after a few months, as this is how long it takes for the body to heal completely and for any residual swelling to resolve.
Love Your Look
To schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mussat and learn more about how liposuction can help you love your look, contact her office by calling (312) 751-9000.
Chicago Liposuction FAQs
How much does liposuction cost in Chicago?
Your total price tag for liposuction in Chicago depends on multiple factors, including the following:
- The size of the treatment area
- The number of the treatment sites
- The patient’s body type
- Surgeon’s expertise
- Practice location
Dr. Mussat provides a detailed cost analysis of Chicago liposuction during your initial visit and consultation. Financing options are available.
Where can I see liposuction before-and-after photos?
Before-and-after photos are an excellent tool to determine if liposuction is best for addressing your cosmetic concerns. Visit Dr. Mussat’s gallery on her website. You can also request to review previous liposuction patients during your consultation at her office.
What is ultrasound liposuction?
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction, or UAL, is a body-sculpting procedure that liquefies fat cells before removal. The process employs ultrasonic waves to target unwanted fat cells.
How long does it take to recover from liposuction?
Your liposuction recovery period should be relatively quick and straightforward. However, it’s essential to understand recovery varies with each patient because Dr. Mussat tailors the procedure to individual needs. For example, if Dr. Mussat removes large amounts of fat from multiple treatment areas, recovery is typically longer than with fewer target areas and less fat removed.
What is tumescent liposuction?
Traditional liposuction involves a local or general anesthetic to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. With tumescent liposuction, Dr. Mussat employs certain compounds injected into the target site to make the fat swollen and firm, making it easier to remove.
How much fat can I have removed with liposuction?
Do not confuse liposuction with a procedure designed to help patients lose a dramatic amount of weight. Because there are limits to how much fat Dr. Mussat can safely extract during a liposuction procedure, the number you see when you step on the scale will likely not change much after your surgery. Instead, the goal of liposuction is to help people who are already at or near their goal weight achieve more contour and definition in targeted areas.