What is the Most Effective Liposuction Technique?

To try and answer this question, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) went to those who perform liposuction most - Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. The professional association's members were surveyed recently, and asked which methods they prefer most, and which ones they perceive as the safest.

The results are in! Overwhelmingly (at 51.4%), they preferred suction-assisted liposuction (or commonly called "traditional" liposuction, which includes tumescent liposuction). Second and third most preferred (23% and 20.9% respectively) were PAL (power-assisted liposuction) and UAL (ultrasound-assisted liposuction).
LAL or "laser-assisted liposuction" accounted for only 3.9% of plastic surgeons preferring this procedure. LAL methods go by many trendy names, but all are assisted by the use of a laser. Many manufacturers claim that the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, however, in our experience, most patients cannot tolerate liposuction under local anesthesia, especially for large areas. Patient discomfort can lead to the procedure being aborted earlier than desired.

Dr. Young prefers traditional tumescent liposuction techniques and the use of our own PAL "Tickle Lipo". It seems that Dr. Young is not alone in his perception of what works best!

Dr. Young has been performing liposuction in his private cosmetic surgery practice for over twenty years, and has this information to share: When considering your need for fat removal, realize that problem areas are identified by "area", such as abdomen, hips, thighs, or "love-handles" for men! Liposuction is also very effective for arms, neck or chin, and for reducing large breasts on men. When considering liposuction, consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, as they are the physicians who have received the highest levels of appropriate cosmetic surgery training.

In recent years, Dr. Young has perfected his technique of Brazilian Butt Lift, where fat is suctioned from one or more areas of the body is transferred into the buttocks, creating a shapely, voluptuously full figure that is so in fashion. Fat transfer techniques are also effectively used on the face, where loss of volume naturally occurs as we age. While fat transfer to the breast is once again being talked about as a viable alternative to traditional Breast Augmentation with either silicone or saline breast implants, the use of fat in the breasts often requires multiple procedures to end up with the volume you desire. This is because not all of the fat injected survives. Many prefer the tried-and-true methods that have been perfected in Breast Augmentation with advent of endoscopic technologies which allow for minimal incisions, good placement of implants, and beautiful, lasting outcomes. Liposuction is suitable for both men and women, and Dr. Young has seen a steady rise in the number of men who are electing to have liposuction surgery performed. In experienced, skilled hands, liposuction has evolved into an extremely safe and effective surgery for those wanting to reduce problem areas, sculpt the body, and even to add volume to areas lacking shape.


Robert N. Young, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with his own private Surgery Center in San Antonio, Texas. For more information on Dr. Young, visit his website at www.dryoungforever.com.

Dr Young's Thoughts on Awake Surgery

Local anesthesia for surgical procedures is not always the best choice. Often times the operating physician is giving sedation medication and using local anesthesia without an Anesthesiologist in order to save money. I think it is much safer to use an Anesthesiologist to give the patient the proper level of comfort during the procedure, as well as to monitor their level of consciousness. If you are feeling pain during the procedure the physician will often stop short of getting you a successful result. A few hundred dollars more for a Board Certified Anesthesiologist is definitely worth the safety and success of a several thousand dollar procedure.

Check out what MSNBC has discovered on the topic:
http://on.msnbc.com/awakesurgery

I'm afraid of anesthesia...is the "awake" method good for me?

by Robert N. Young, M.D.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

We've seen a new trend in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery...promotions of "Awake Breast Augmentations".  It is talked about as something new, but in actuality, surgeries performed under "local anesthesia", or "twilight anesthesia" have been around for many years.  Whether it is a good choice for patients is being hotly debated.

Because Breast Augmentation has become such a popular procedure, and is more readily talked about by society, some feel it has become somewhat frivolized.  It is easy to forget that this is still a major surgical procedure. While endoscopic (minimal incision) techniques have made the surgery less invasive and easier to recover from, the procedure is best done under general anesthesia with a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. "Twilight anesthesia" can be dangerous without an anesthesiologist present.

There is quite a bit of debate recently about practitioners who are advertising "awake" surgeries.  These are usually performed by physicians who are not Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, and may not even be Plastic Surgeons at all.  Sometimes they are Dermatologists, General Surgeons, or even Family Practitioners who elect to perform the surgery under local anesthesia because they do not have  privileges in a hospital or certified surgery center to perform those procedures. In my Surgery Center, all anesthesia is administered and monitored by Board Certified Anesthesiologists who are experienced in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.  I feel this is best for my patients, and myself, as it allows me to concentrate on my area of expertise, which is the surgery itself.

My Surgery Center is fully certified by the AAAASF and meets strict standards to perform surgical procedures. Sure, the surgery costs a little more, but it is worth having the extra standards and safety factors. That's why doctors are credentialed and surgery centers are certified. If we didn't adhere to these standards we would be cheaper also. So when you get a fee quote that is cheaper because it is under local anesthesia in an office back room, be careful of what you are asking for.

Board certification by an ABMS member board provides assurance of a physician’s expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of practice. Professional organizations, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) require that members be Board Certified within their specialty.

Some advertisements even go so far as to state that you'll be awake enough during your procedure to pick the size of your breast implants (this would only be possible with saline implants which are inserted and then filled to the desired size) during your surgical procedure itself!  If you have had sedation you are going to feel woozy and wobbly.  I don't think you would be coherent enough to make this selection during surgery!

We recommend that you ask questions that will ensure that you are well informed concerning the qualifications and experience of your surgeon and the types of anesthesia that you are offered.  Here are questions generally recommended:

• Are you Board Certified? 
• If so, what specialty board?
• Are you licensed to practice surgery in this state?
• How many breast augmentation surgeries do you perform each year?
• How many years have you performed breast implant procedures?
• Where is my procedure performed?  
• Is the surgical facility accredited?
  
• Who administers anesthesia during my surgery?
• Is the person who administers my anesthesia Board Certified in this specialty? 
  
• What are my options for anesthesia?
  

When you come in for a consultation visit with me, I will make recommendations based on my extensive experience as first a reconstructive and then cosmetic plastic surgeon. I invite you to ask questions regarding various surgical methods, anesthesia, recovery and any other questions you may have so that you can make an informed decision about your surgery.  You may contact my office at 210-496-BODY (496-2639) or e-mail me at nubody@dr-youngforever.com.