LIPOSUCTION, LIPO360, LIPO CONTOURING

Liposuction has been widely used since the 1980s and is still the gold standard for dealing with stubborn body fat. Lipocontouring is a technique where liposuction is used comprehensively. The idea is to contour and shape the body, not simply remove fat. The difference is that the artistic finesse involved with shaping and sculpting will improve the appearance of the patient’s overall physique.

Whether patients desire to focus on a single body part with liposuction or take the more holistic approach with lipocontouring, they are highly effective procedures that target minor and major bodily imperfections and can often create a dramatically more attractive and toned look. In all cases, a world-class plastic surgeon like Dr. J is the best and only way to help ensure gorgeous outcomes.

WHY YOU MIGHT GET LIPOCONTOURING OR LIPOSUCTION

Some areas of the body seem almost like magnets for fat – the waistline, the belly (mostly for men) and the pelvic area (mostly for women), the buttocks, the thighs, etc. Unfortunately, the fat we dislike the most tends to stick around — no matter how much success we might otherwise achieve in terms of losing fat and increasing lean muscle mass. It’s an unfair fact of life largely caused by unfavorable balances of hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and insulin. 

LIPOSUCTION AND Lipocontouring

LIPOSUCTION VS. LIPOCONTOURING

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably but there is an important difference. If a patient is mostly concerned with one or two very specific fatty spots, then specific liposuction procedures are usually sufficient. The most common goals include eliminating bulges from the lower waist and flanks (love handles liposuction), the upper arms, the abdominal area, and the neck area right below the chin. For many patients, this may be enough.

If the patient wants a more comprehensive and sculptural approach, however, then lipocontouring is called for. This more detailed procedure uses liposuction to remove strategic amounts of fat from numerous areas at the same time. Each incision is carefully selected to be in harmony with all of the others and create the most attractive physique possible. Doctors call this approach to liposuction circumferential but it also goes by the more popular name of Lipo 360. Under any name, it is a procedure that allows Dr. J to employ all of his considerable aesthetic and medical skills to the task of maximizing the beauty of a patient’s physique.  

While liposuction and lipocontouring can have amazing outcomes, they have their limitations. It’s important to note that liposuction does not address cellulite because it doesn’t target the root issue of fibrous connective cords that tether the skin to underlying tissue. Liposuction and lipocontouring are more focused on fat reduction and shaping, as opposed to cutting the connection between skin and tissue that causes cellulite. While Dr. J can often accomplish this for patients at the same time as liposuction, this is not the primary focus of the procedure but only an occasional side benefit. Removing cellulite is typically more of a dermatologic concern.*

WHAT ABOUT LIPOSUCTION ALTERNATIVES?

Some practitioners may make promising claims about their ability to rid patients of stubborn fat with less than fully vetted nonsurgical techniques that may not provide the hoped-for outcomes. These techniques include hormone replacement, but the effectiveness of this therapy for removing pockets of fat remains highly uncertain. At present, liposuction procedures are the only proven means of removing stubborn fat in these areas. 

LIPOSUCTION ALTERNATIVES
LIPOCONTOURING by dr.j

LIPOCONTOURING AND LIPOSUCTION WITH DR. J

Dr. J, also known as Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., has developed a worldwide following and is among the most respected and sought-after plastic surgeons in the highly competitive medical market of Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles. 

Lipocontouring allows Dr. J the opportunity to use his surgical acumen and keen eye for aesthetics to subtly transform a patient’s overall appearance — never focusing only on one area but trying to create a more beautiful whole. The improvement in a patient’s appearance may be dramatic but anyone who sees the change may not be able to pinpoint what part of the body is affected. People sometimes assume the patient has lost more weight and maybe gained some muscle. That is the key to Dr. J’s overall aesthetic approach; great plastic surgery results should be obvious to the patient while also looking natural and harmonious to others.

PREPARING FOR LIPOSUCTION OR LIPOCONTOURING

Before the day of your procedure, Dr. J will carefully explain how it will be performed and what you can expect once you have fully recovered. Dr. J is known for his friendly and approachable attitude and he places a high priority on ensuring patients’ questions are answered.

Our team will also explain all of the important pre-operative dos-and don’ts including the need to refrain from NSAIDs and other blood thinners before surgery.

WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED DURING LIPOSUCTION AND LIPOCONTOURING?

Lipocontouring and liposuction typically call for general anesthesia. However, if the patient is only getting work done in one relatively small portion of the body, such as the neck, then local anesthesia may sometimes be an option. In all cases, the doctor will explain the choices he has made regarding the type of anesthesia and suggest a plan designed to keep the patient physically and psychologically comfortable throughout the experience.

Since lipocontouring will involve numerous incisions and will naturally take longer for Dr. J to complete, the use of general anesthesia is typically essential. Naturally, this is even more true if the patient wants to use the transferred fat for other procedures performed at the same time. These may include Dr. J’s Natural Butt Lift® or a modest but natural-looking fat-transfer-based breast augmentation.

WHERE WILL THE PROCEDURE BE PERFORMED?

Liposuction or lipocontouring on their own are typically performed in our certified Platinum Surgical Center. Patients are usually able to leave afterward in the company of a friend or relative. However, there are cases where it may be a good idea for the patient to stay overnight at a medical facility for optimal recovery with the highest level of comfort and safety.

THE SURGICAL PROCESS

Any required pre-operative labs or clearances from a family doctor/internist will be obtained by the patient as required in advance of surgery.

On the day of the procedure, Dr. J will first take a medical skin marker and mark the areas where the fat is going to be removed while the patient is standing. After that, the patient will be prepared for treatment and anesthetized. A board-certified anesthesiologist will be present throughout to ensure maximum safety whenever general anesthesia is given.

Dr. J uses power-assisted liposuction (PAL). These procedures employ a cannula, a kind of medical tubing, to suction out a precise amount of fat. PAL employs high-frequency vibrations, but no heat, to partially liquefy fatty tissue with minimum trauma before it is removed from the body. It is faster than other treatments, which translates into greater safety. Also, most experts agree that the lack of heat in the process makes PAL gentler and lessens the risk of complications in comparison to laser-based techniques for breaking up fat. 

LIPOSUCTION recovery

LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY

Before going home, patients will be given detailed instructions on what to do in the days to follow. They will also be provided with a set of prescriptions, including antibiotics to prevent infection and pain relievers to deal with the minor discomfort that follows treatment. In many cases, acetaminophen (Tylenol) will be sufficient to keep the patient comfortable during recovery but prescription pain medication will be available.

Patients will usually need to rest for roughly a week following surgery before returning to sedentary work and less strenuous daily activities. Patients should refrain from vigorous physical activities until Dr. J gives the go-ahead, usually several weeks after the procedure. 

A series of follow-up appointments will be made to ensure that the patient’s recovery is going well. During the six weeks following surgery, patients will wear compression garments to support maximum skin retraction and optimal recovery. An interim compression garment will also be worn from six weeks leading up to three months if advised. 

Between appointments, we encourage patients to get in touch with us if they have any questions at all. Your well-being is always our top priority and we are here to help.

LIPOSUCTION RESULTS

Patients will begin to see their results a few weeks after their procedure when the initial post-operative swelling begins to recede. It may take several weeks or a few months before the full outcome can be seen, however. To get an idea of the kind of outcomes Dr. J can produce, prospective patients should check out our liposuction before-and-after page. All the after photos are taken at roughly three months after surgery.

LIPOSUCTION results
Lipo contouring, Liposuction and Lipo360

CHOOSING DR. J.

For their safety and well-being, prospective patients should only consider working with board-certified plastic surgeons. However, Dr. J is actually double-board-certified in both plastic surgery and general surgery. Thus, he periodically undergoes two highly rigorous processes to ensure that his skill and knowledge are maintained at the highest level. While most plastic surgeons only maintain their certification in plastic surgery, Dr. J believes that keeping up his general surgery certification also ensures that he has the full range of techniques and knowledge at his disposal.

Get in Touch with Dr. J!

If you are interested in plastic surgery and aesthetic work with Dr. J, feel free to reach out by calling (310)-228-3151 or filling out the form below.

*Cellulite Treatments: What Really Works?” American Academy of Dermatology Association website.

Before and after photos

Get in Touch with Dr. J!

If you are interested in a plastic surgery and aesthetic work with Dr. J, feel free to reach out to by calling (310) 993-3800 or filling out the form below!