Print Page
Email Page
Bookmark
Reading Liposuction
If you have been frustrated by stubborn pockets of fat that don't respond to diet and exercise, you are not alone. For women and men in Allentown, Reading, or Lancaster County, PA, liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or liposculpture, can remove the fat that exercise cannot reach.
If you have been curious about what liposuction might do for you, click here to request a complimentary consultation. Or you can call our Wyomissing office at 610-678-9200 to schedule your appointment.
What Is Liposuction?
Typically used to slim the hips and thighs, flatten the abdomen, shape the calves, knees and ankles or eliminate a double chin, liposuction is a procedure that "vacuums" out unwanted fat by inserting a tube called a cannula into one or more small incisions. In Reading, Lancaster, and Allentown, liposuction has been a very popular form of cosmetic surgery, and at the Proserpi-Schlechter Center for Plastic Surgery, we use Power Assisted (PAL) and Ultrasound Assisted (UAL) methods along with the tumescent technique.
PAL or power-assisted liposuction is performed with a cannula (or hollow tube) that uses tiny, rapid vibrations to break up fat cells and ease the suction process. Dr. Schlechter can remove more fat in a shorter period of time, often leading to enhanced results and a faster recovery. UAL or ultrasonic liposuction uses sound waves produced by a generator to make fat removal easier. The ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the cannula, liquefying the fat cells for easier removal.
Who Is Having Liposuction in Lancaster County, PA?
The best candidates for liposuction are men and women of normal weight and good health who want to improve their body shape and contours. Fat deposits in trouble areas where diet and exercise have little effect are where liposuction can have the greatest effect. Men and women of almost any age can have liposuction, but those who have greater skin elasticity will achieve the smoothest results.
What You Can Expect
For your comfort and privacy, the procedure is performed in our in-office Surgical Suite. The procedure lasts from 45 minutes to a few hours depending on the areas being treated. Intravenous sedation is used at Proserpi-Schlechter, administered by our trusted anesthetist who has been with us for 14 years.
Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. When possible, the incisions are made within a fold or natural crease in the skin. Upon completion of the procedure, compression garments are placed that will minimize swelling and help shape the treated areas. Patients return to work quickly (within a few days), but the garments should be worn for up to 6 weeks, and physical activity is limited for about a week.
One of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the nation, thousands undergo liposuction each year. There are some risks involved, as with any surgical procedure, and these will be discussed with you thoroughly before you decide. From a safety perspective, a board-certified plastic surgeon is best trained to perform this procedure.
Some of our patients choose to combine liposuction with a tummy tuck or body lifting procedures for a more comprehensive makeover.
