Types of Liposuction

Cosmetic Surgery in St. Louis, Missouri

Liposuction procedures are used to remove fatty deposits from problem areas under the skin that do not respond effectively to regular exercise and proper diet. Dr. Kofkoff is a highly skilled St. Louis, Missouri cosmetic surgeon who has chosen to focus his skills and experience on performing body contouring procedures .

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Liposuction Techniques

Liposuction is performed using a surgical tool called a cannula. This is a thin, hollow tube that is attached to a vacuum device and is carefully maneuvered under the skin to remove your deposits of fat. Areas of the body that respond well to liposuction include:

• Chin
• Neck
• Upper arms
• Chest
• Abdomen
• Back
• Hips
• Thighs
• Knees

Dr. Kofkoff uses power-assisted liposuction in his cosmetic surgery practice. He also uses the tumescent technique prior to performing his liposuction procedures.

Tumescent Technique

The tumescent liposuction technique enables Dr. Kofkoff to reduce the amount of blood that is lost during liposuction. It also helps to minimize patient discomfort and post-operative side effects such as bruising.

The tumescent technique is performed by injecting a large amount of a fluid containing lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline into the surgical region. This injection causes the fatty tissue to swell and become firm. This process causes the tiny blood vessels to constrict  and allows Dr. Kofkoff to insert and maneuver the cannula more easily.

Power-Assisted Liposuction

During power-assisted liposuction, the cannula has a tip that vibrates at a high speed. This vibration loosens the fat cells that are to be removed and reduces the amount of unnecessary trauma to surrounding tissues.

Power-assisted liposuction can also be used on areas of the body that tend to be more difficult to sculpt such as:

• Back
• Hips and Flanks
• Male breasts

Once the surgery has been completed, you will be required to wear a compression garment for the first three or four weeks of the recovery period. Liposuction is often performed in conjunction with other procedures such as a tummy tuck .

It is important to understand that although Dr. Kofkoff does not place a patient age limit on his willingness to perform liposuction, you must be in good general health to be considered a candidate. Liposuction is not used to treat cellulite, only to contour specific areas. You should have reasonably good skin tone and should have achieved a reasonable and stable weight.

To learn more about tumescent liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, or any other type of body contouring procedure in St. Louis, Missouri, please contact Dr. Richard L. Kofkoff today to schedule a consultation.