This was a guest article written by Jeff from San Diego, California. He shares his own personal experience with Arm Liposculpture. He was very thorough in his description and contacted me awhile ago wanting to share his experience with others online. Hopefully you are able to learn something that you did not previously know from his experience.
Wanting to Change My Flabby Arms
Everyone has something they wish they could change when it comes to their own appearance. For me the area I always wanted to change was my arms. To be more specific I wanted to reduce arm fat; all of the nasty stuff hanging down under my upper arms. In my eyes, it felt like this was all that would be noticed anytime I wore a sleeveless shirt or dress. No matter how well together my outfit was, I would feel self-conscious about the fatty arms I had. The event that made me take action stemmed from a cruise my kids, my ex-husband, his new girlfriend.
When I got home and looked at the pictures, shot after shot revealed how awful my arms must look to others. Of course, it did not help that my ex-husband’s new girlfriend looked like she spend 12 hours a day at the gym. All of this motivated me to find a solution for an issue that had bothered me for years. I looked online and found the perfect solution – arm liposculpture. It was safe, not very painful, and relatively inexpensive and has since boosted my self-esteem. I know I will be ready and confident for the next event in my life and happy to show off my upper arms.
Searching for Arm Liposculpture Online
When I started my Internet research, I searched for good clinics near me. I interviewed staff at each office to decide which clinic was the best fit for me. I asked for referrals from previous patients. One clinic would not give me a referral; they were quickly crossed off of the list. The clinic I picked impressed me because they were most interested in making sure this procedure was the right one for me. For example, if I had tried dieting and exercising in the past and was unable to achieve toned arms I probably would not have seen a big improvement after this procedure.
They assured me if this was the case, there were other procedures that could help me instead. After spending some time analyzing my eating, exercise, and general lifestyle habits it was decided I was a strong candidate. I asked what would happen if the procedure took but there were minor flaws. I had a friend who had a different procedure done in which her skin was always very rough in patches after the surgery. The staff at the clinic I chose reassured me that touch ups are free for anything minor were we to decide they were needed afterwards, but that most patients do not need this. No touch-ups were needed in my case, but it was reassuring to at least be offered them in case they would be necessary.
Researching Arm Liposculpture Risks
Once I felt that arm liposculpture would give me the outcome I wanted, my next biggest concern was safety. This procedure is becoming increasingly common and there are not any dangers associated with it. They reassured me that this is a very low risk procedure and that while many people naturally have anxiety there is no reason to be anxious. In extreme cases, they offer medication to help you relax. Now that I have been through the procedure I can confidently say it is not the easiest process I have ever been through but that I have had a few dental cleanings that were more painful.
Questions About the Arm Liposculpture Procedure
My next questions were about how the actual procedure would work and how long it would last. My procedure lasted just under an hour; this is the average length of time most procedures take. I was awake for the entire process and just given a pain killer. I was a little nervous right before the procedure started but that went away in about five minutes when I realized I could not feel any pain. Two small insertions were made into each of my arms. They then used as small instrument with almost an attachment that looked like a tiny straw to remove the fat from under my skin.
Arm Lipo Recovery
I was able to go home same day, however it is recommended that you do not drive yourself home; I was driven home by a friend. I wore a black shirt given to me by the office for 7 days after and the insertions points on my arms were covered with bandages that needed to be changed every few days. There was a small amount of discharge from the four points but it was never very messy. The punctures also healed up completely and the skin is very smooth in that area. I could not even tell you exactly where the insertions were made today.
I could shower within 24 hours and I did go to work the following Monday. I had scheduled the procedure on purpose on a Friday afternoon so that I would have two days to recover just in case. My job is an office job and not very physical in nature so I probably could have worked the next day if needed. Someone with a more active job might need more time off after though; I avoided any vigorous activity like working out for a week afterwards. Since it was summer, I asked about swimming and I was approved to start swimming again seven days after the procedure.
Cost of Liposculpture to Remove Arm Fat
Finally, cost was an important factor in my decision to get liposculpture. Most of the quotes I received back were right around $1000. My procedure did end up costing just under that amount. The cost might deter some people who are considering arm liposculpture but for me, the intangible benefit of feeling so much better about myself, is worth this price and more.
If you are considering the procedure of arm liposculpture, I encourage you to take the next step today, even if that is just calling to set up an initial consultation or two. This procedure was the right choice for me and I could not be happier with the results. When I wear sleeveless clothing now, I receive compliments on how smooth and toned my arms look. I know I will be able to maintain this sleek look for years to come, if I exercise a little and keep up a healthy diet.
Thigh liposculpture is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States today. This minimally invasive procedure has transformed the appearance of many men and women, transforming their bodies and improving their overall look. Although both men and women seek out liposculpture to shape their bodies, women are more likely to undergo the thigh liposculpture procedure. This is because women tend to gain more fat in the thigh area, and that fat tends to be stubborn and extremely resistant to exercise. In liposculpture of the thigh, fat cells are removed permanently, and patients generally find that this procedure helps the thighs keep their shape indefinitely.
Good Candidates for Liposculpture of the Thighs
One of the most common concerns that people have when considering thigh liposculpture is whether they are good candidates for the procedure. Generally, any person who is in generally good health with no chronic illnesses such as heart disease, problems with blood clotting and diabetes are good candidates for liposculpture of the thighs. Additionally, prospective patients with reasonable expectations for the results of the surgery are generally good candidates for the procedure.
Patients should bear in mind that liposculpture is not intended for major weight loss. In the procedure, only about 1-2 pounds of thigh fat is removed. If there is a large amount of overall fat in the legs, liposculpture will not remedy this. Rather, the procedure is intended to remove localized fat deposits in the thighs that are resistant to exercise, and to sculpt and tone the legs. Many people find that even after weight loss, there is still a significant amount of localized fat in the thighs. Patients who have lost weight but still have fatty deposits in the inner and outer thighs are good candidates for the procedure.
Patients should not have had previous surgery in the thighs. They should also have firm, elastic skin. Candidates for liposculpture should be close to a healthy weight range for their height. People who are planning to embark on an extreme weight loss regimen should wait until after they have reached their goal weight to undergo the procedure.
Choosing a Thigh Liposculpture Surgeon
Choosing the right doctor to perform the liposculpture procedure is an important step in the process to achieving your new look. The surgeon you choose should have experience specifically performing liposculpture. In addition, he should be board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. When interviewing a prospective surgeon, it is important to ask questions.
• How many thigh liposculpture procedures have you performed?
• Where will the procedure be performed? Is it outpatient or will it require a hospital stay?
• How many visits will it take to achieve my desired look?
• Will you perform the surgery alone or will others assist in the procedure?
• What type of anesthesia will be used?
Viewing before and after pictures is also a good way to gauge the quality of the surgeon’s work.
Pre-Procedure Interview
Before performing the thigh liposculpture procedure, your doctor will schedule a session to discuss your expectations for the procedure and take a full medical history. This will give your surgeon a good picture of your overall health and provide you with information about what to expect after the procedure. Your doctor will ask a series of questions related to your past weight such as:
• What was your maximum weight?
• Have you ever been pregnant? How much weight did you gain with each pregnancy?
• How stable is your weight?
• What has been your lowest weight since high school?
• Do you exercise regularly? Do you participate in team sports?
• Does your weight fluctuate with stress or emotional periods?
• How often do you eat sweets, fast food or drink caffeine?
These questions give your doctor a better picture of your overall health, and will assist her in helping you maintain the results of your procedure.
Thigh Liposculpture Procedure
Before starting the procedure, the doctor will insert an intravenous line (IV) into your arm to balance the fluids in your body. You may be mildly sedated to help you to relax. During the procedure, the doctor will make a small incision under your skin and insert a small, thin tube called a cannula.
The cannula will remove the fat between the skin and the thigh muscles. The doctor will remove fat in the quadriceps, the muscles in the front of the thigh, and the hamstrings, the muscles in the rear of the thigh. In addition, he will remove localized fat in the adductors, or the inner thigh muscles.
A vacuum tube is used to suction the fat from the body and sculpt the area. The overall procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours for each area that is treated. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in the doctor’s office.
Thigh Liposculpture Recovery
Recovery time for liposculpture of the thigh is usually short, lasting anywhere from 7-10 days, although most doctors will recommend that you refrain from strenuous activity for up to six weeks following the procedure. For about 1-2 days following the surgery, you may experience soreness in the thighs, similar to the discomfort felt after a strenuous workout. Walking may be somewhat difficult, and you may feel slight pain when lifting your legs to get in and out of your car. You may feel stiff and you may experience redness, numbness, bleeding or swelling. This is normal and is usually treated with medication prescribed by your physician.
Your surgeon will also provide you with a restrictive garment to wear for up to six weeks following the procedure. This garment resembles a thick stocking that can be worn under the clothing. These stockings will serve to reduce the swelling and pain in the thighs from the surgery and help thighs retain the new shape.
It may take up to 2-3 months to see a dramatic change. This is because the skin around the thighs has to adjust to the new shape and loss of fat. Patients who follow up with regular exericse, and exercises targeting the thighs will see the best results. Trainers recommend squats, lunges and pilates as effective exercises to tone the thighs following the procedure.
Thigh Liposculpture Risks
As with any medical procedure, there are some risks associated with thigh liposculpture. Common risks include excessive bleeding in the inner and outer thighs, swelling, blood clots, infection, fluid loss, scarring and sagging skin. These risks are minimized by the use of local anesthesia over general anesthesia. Your doctor can suggest ways to decrease the chance of risks.
Cost of Thigh Liposculpture
The costs of thigh liposculpture vary by a number of factors. Geographic location, level of experience of the surgeon and the amount of additional services required will determine the final price of the procedure. The general cost of liposculpture is roughly $3000 per thigh (read more about “Liposculpture Prices” if you are concerned with the financial aspects). This does not include costs for hospital stays and anesthesia if they are required. The fees may be significantly higher is major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Miami and Los Angeles, for example. There are many companies that provide financing to offset the cost of the procedure.
Many people every year turn to thigh liposculpture to improve appearance of their legs and are happy with the results. This minimally invasive procedure is widely performed, and has a low recovery time. Liposculpture of the thigh is a revolutionary procedure that can sculpt the inner and outer thighs, permanently remove resistant fat cells and give you a brand new look.