Liposuction is a dream come true for many…
Liposuction is a procedure that helps sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas.

More than 50% of the population in the US is overweight and liposuction is now the most sought after cosmetic surgery in the country.

Modern liposuction is a both an artistic and scientific procedure, incorporating a concern for the patient’s well-being and health before, during and after surgery with artistic sculpting of tissues. It is commonly used to remove stubborn, diet- and exercise-resistant fat deposits and to sculpt the body into a slimmer profile.

Fat deposits may be on the abdomen, flanks, hips, abdomen, knees, thighs, lower legs, and beneath the chin. These are some of the areas where body contouring with liposuction produces impressive results.

Liposuction is Ideal for:
A person who is within 30 percent of the ideal body weight for their height and frame and physically active without any major medical illnesses.

Liposuction is no substitute for overall obesity, but ideal for those who have fat deposits in isolated areas.

Techniques:
Liposuction is done on an outpatient basis in a fully accredited surgery center or hospital.

General or sedation anesthesia is used for safety and comfort. A special liposuction wand goes through a tiny incision to melt the fat.

A separate wand is then used to loosen and suction the excess fat. Compression garments or taping of the treated areas are advised for about 4 to 6 weeks, as it helps reduce swelling after liposuction.

Liposuction Types:
Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)
Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL)
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
Recovery Time:
Recovery from liposuction is straightforward. Initial discomfort is controlled with oral medication. When general anesthesia is employed, patients usually require one to three hours of post-anesthesia observation before being discharged home.

Full recovery from swelling and bruising takes several weeks. Post-operative bruising and swelling can be reduced by UAL.

Best Results with Liposuction
Liposuction is most successful in people with excellent skin tone, and for isolated collections of fat. Results are recognizable almost immediately and will continue to improve as swelling subsides.

BMI/body mass index is a rough estimate of your height to weight ratio. Your BMI should be less than 30. Your BMI can be higher than 30 if you have a lot of muscle mass.

Also, there is a difference between “external” fat and “visceral/ internal” fat. You may be able to pinch some extra fat on your body. This type of fat is “external,” and can be treated with liposuction. Often women have this kind of fat in the anterior abdomen, the outer hips and thighs/ “saddle bags”, the inner thighs, and the upper arms. Men often have fat deposits in the abdominal flank/ “love handle” areas, the abdomen/ “beer belly,” and their breasts/ “gynecomastia.” If you have isolated pockets of fat in these areas, then liposuction should be able to remove the fat that you can see and feel and smooth out those areas.

“Visceral” or “Internal” fat is a completely different location of fat. This type of fat resides INSIDE your abdominal cavity, wrapped around your intestines, colon, stomach, etc. You cannot pinch or grab this type of fat. Patients may appear to be overweight but have relatively little to pinch externally. If you are prone to this type of fat, then liposuction is not a good option for you. You will have to lose some weight by diet and exercise before you become a candidate for liposuction. Even if you have external fat along with internal fat, you should eliminate as much visceral fat as possible before undergoing liposuction. There is no easy surgical method to remove visceral fat.

Roy Kim, MD recognizes that diet and exercise are difficult to jump-start, so he can offer recommendations regarding lifestyle changes, local gyms, personal trainers, and nutritionists to help your overall health.

How can I get liposuction in San Francisco?
Contact Roy Kim, MD’s patient care coordinator at 415-362-1846.