Liposuction in Santa Barbara, CA

Even people who have healthy lifestyles and exercise regularly can develop areas of exercise-resistant fat. For some, this area is the abdomen, but others store unwanted fat in the thighs or buttocks, or even the arms, chest, or knees. Wherever your problem area may be, liposuction can remove the unwanted fat permanently.

Deciding If Liposuction Is Right for You

There are some surgical and non-surgical approaches to reducing fat that has been stored in various places in the body. If you prefer not to undergo surgery, you may consider non-invasive options such as CoolSculpting^® or SculpSure^® to reduce fat deposits. Dr. Yegiyants is the only plastic surgeon in tri-county area offering both options in one location.

Dr. Yegiyants can also enhance your shape through liposuction, which requires one or more small incisions in the treatment area to allow for fat removal. People who exhibit fatty bulges in their abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, chest, and back often choose liposuction for these areas. It is also effective for some men with gynecomastia. Additionally, some people feel as though one area is out of proportion with the rest of their body, and liposuction can help resolve this disproportion.In general, liposuction is a great option to treat areas where excess fat is stored if you have maintained skin elasticity in that area. If you have excess or sagging skin in your problem areas, a body lift or abdominoplasty may be a better option for you. Also, liposuction is best when performed for patients who are close to their ideal weight; it is not an alternative for weight loss.

What Will My Consultation Be Like?

In our boutique practice, you will meet with Dr. Yegiyants personally when you come in for your consultation. Upon physical examination, she can determine if you are a candidate for liposuction. If you have pictures that demonstrate the contour or shape that you want for yourself, it can be helpful to bring these to your consultation to share with Dr. Yegiyants. During your consultation, she will extensively review your medical records and history, and discuss your ultimate goals for the surgery.

Dr. Yegiyants has advanced training in arts and aesthetics, and she will draw upon this background to study the natural shape of your body and make recommendations for body contouring. She will also take the time necessary to make sure she fully understands what you want for yourself and that you know what to expect throughout the process.

How Is Liposuction Performed?

While there are several different approaches to the procedure, Dr. Yegiyants prefers to use power assisted liposuction when appropriate as it minimizes surgery time. She will begin by making markings on your body that will guide her during the contouring process. Most liposuction procedures are done under general anesthesia and are performed in a surgery center, but Dr. Yegiyants is able to treat some areas (such as the cheeks) using a local anesthetic in the office.

Once you are numb or under sedation, a small incision will be made in the treatment area(s) that will allow for insertion of a thin tube called a cannula. The cannula is moved in a way that allows for the dislodging and removal of the fat cells, which are then suctioned out using a vacuum.

With the power assisted liposuction technique, the movement of the cannula is enhanced by a specialized tool that allows for fat to be dislodged more quickly. Using her expert skills and advanced aesthetic sense, Dr. Yegiyants will use the movement of the cannula to achieve the desired shape. When the area has been perfectly contoured, the incision sites are closed and the procedure is over. In some cases, patients will have more than one treatment site (if there are multiple areas of fat removal).

Enhanced Results with Z-Wave Technology

For optimal results, Dr. Yegiyants frequently performs liposuction with Z-Wave. This non-invasive treatment harnesses the power of radial shockwaves to tighten skin and reduce cellulite. When performed with liposuction, it can help create smooth, slim contours with tighter skin. This versatile treatment is completely painless and requires no additional downtime.

What Can I Expect During Recovery and Beyond?

Liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to go home the same day as your surgery. You will likely have compression bandages or wear compression garments during the first week or two for support and comfort and to minimize post-surgical swelling. Pain during healing is usually minimal, but Dr. Yegiyants will prescribe pain medication to enhance your comfort for the first few days. You may also experience some bruising and swelling in the treatment areas.

Once you go home, you will be able to get up and walk around during the first day or two, but you should not plan to do much movement. It is important that you follow all post-operative instructions to maximize your healing and promote the best possible outcome.

Most patients return to work in only a few days after surgery. Though immediate changes will be visible, it may take several weeks for the swelling to subside. The surgical scars will also fade over time.

Liposuction is a permanent solution, and the fat will not return to the treatment areas. However, significant fluctuations in your weight may affect your results and you may store fat in other areas of the body during weight gain, so it is best to maintain a stable weight after surgery.

Liposuction