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Liposuction in Jacksonville, Florida

Dr. Lewis Obi is the Jacksonville pioneer of the most advanced technique of fat removal and skin tightening, the Slim Lipo body sculpting laser. Developed by Palomar Medical Technology, Inc. in 2008, Dr. Lewis Obi was one of a handful of plastic surgeons integrating this very advanced, safe and effective tool. LifeSculpt powered by SlimLipo is an acronym for Selective Laser Induced Melting of fat and unlike other lasers or ultrasonic devices the LifeSculpt powered by SlimLipo system integrates Palomar patented wavelengths that simultaneously melts fat and tightens skin. In contrast to the traditional mechanical, ultrasonic and other laser techniques LifeSculpt powered by SlimLipo may often be performed without general anesthesia with quicker recovery and less expense. The majority of patients may return to work within 1 to 4 days depending on age and surface area treated.

The Best Candidates for Liposuction

To be a good candidate for liposuction in Jacksonville, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It’s important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Obi.

The best candidates for liposuction in Jacksonville are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. Moderately overweight patients may also benefit in areas such as the neck and abdomen were there is sag or excessive over draping. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured. However Slim Lipo has truly reduced the need for general anesthesia, down time and therefore overall risks more traditional liposuctioning techniques.

Planning your Liposuction Surgery

In your initial consultation, Dr. Obi will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. He will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you.

Women may have liposuction performed under the chin, on their hips, thighs, and stomach, and in the under arm and breast area.

Before the advent of the Palomar’s Slim Lipo laser system many patient’s would require an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” to accomplish their goals. With the dual fat melting and skin tightening advances of the Slim Lipo system the need for the extensively invasive abdominoplasty has been greatly reduced.

Be frank in discussing your expectations with Dr. Obi. He should be equally frank with you, describing the procedure in detail and explaining its risks and limitations.

Getting the Liposuction Answers you Need

Individuals considering liposuction in Jacksonville often feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of options and techniques being promoted today. However, Dr. Obi can help. In deciding which is the right treatment approach for you, he will consider effectiveness, safety, cost and appropriateness for your needs. This is called surgical judgment, a skill that is developed through surgical training and experience. Your doctor also uses this judgment to prevent complications; to handle unexpected occurrences during surgery; and to treat complications when they occur.

For men, common sites include under the chin and around the waist. Liposuction may also be used in the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

Dr. Obi’s education and training have helped to form his or her surgical judgment, so take the time to do some background checking. Patients are encouraged to consider a doctor certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). By choosing a plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, a patient can be assured that the doctor has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency - usually three years of general surgery (or its equivalent) and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a doctor must also practice surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams.

Preparing for your Liposuction Surgery

Dr. Obi will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be postponed.

Also, while you are making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if needed, to help you at home for a day or two.

Where your Liposuction Surgery will be Performed

Liposuction may be performed at the Samuel Wells Surgicenter, our own state licensed Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Anesthesia for Liposuction

Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. Together, you and Dr. Obi will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery. With the advance to Slim Lipo the need for anesthesia has been significantly reduced. If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. However, if you prefer, the local is usually used along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed during the procedure.

However, a few patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. If this is the case, an anesthesiologist will be called in to make sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.

The SLIM LIPO Procedure

SLIM Liposuction Before and After Photo Galleries

The time required to perform Slim Lipo may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used. Generally, small areas may be treated in approximately one hour whereas larger and multiple areas may require up to three hours.

The very advanced technique of Slim Lipo is still time consuming and it is performed in three basic stages. After the patient is sedated, the first stage involves the infusion of a fluid into the areas being treated (tumescent technique). The fluid is basically sterile IV fluid containing very small amounts of lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (constricts vessels). The second stage is the use of the Slim Lipo laser device which consists of a 1.3 mm wand with the blended 924/975 nm wavelengths for melting fat, tightening skin and shrinking vessels. This results in very minimal bruising, swelling or pain. The last phase is the removal of fat with a 2 or 3 mm cannula (tube). Since all of these devices are less than 1/8 of an inch no incisions or suturing is required and therefore it is rare to have any permanent scarring.

Technique Variations

The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in almost all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, the Slim Lipo (Selective Laser Induced Melting of fat) has replaced previous techniques which utilize ultrasound (Vaser, UAL, etc) and other types of lasers. Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid — a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) — facilitates fat removal, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery. This “Tumescent” technique is used in conjunction with Slim Lipo as described above. Dr. Lewis Obi, one of the core group of plastic surgeons in the United States to offer this revolutionary technology, is now training other plastic surgeons the technique of Slim Lipo. There has been a significant increase in patient satisfaction along with minimal recovery time. Most patients experience significant improvement within the first weeks after their Slim Lipo procedure.

All Surgery Carries some Uncertainty and Risk

Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped (Our facility is AHCA licensed) and the physician is adequately trained (Dr. Lewis Obi is a board certified plastic surgeon). Staffing of the facility is equally important and should include registered nurses and surgical assistants with advanced and specialized training. When general anesthesia is utilized and also in high risk patients the use of hospital based anesthesiologists is part of our professional approach.

It’s important to keep in mind that even though a well-trained surgeon and a state-of-the art facility can improve your chance of having a good result, there are no guarantees. Though they are rare, complications can and do occur. Risks increase if a greater number of areas are treated at the same time, or if the operative sites are larger in size. Removal of a large amount of fat and fluid may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations.

The combination of these factors can create greater hazards for infection; delays in healing; the formation of fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death; excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock or fluid accumulation that must be drained; friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves or perforation injury to the vital organs; and unfavorable drug reactions.

Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.

After your Liposuction Surgery

After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage for one to two days. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for two to four weeks. Dr. Obi may also prescribe antibiotics and pain medication. Most patients will not require pain medication after one to four days.

Don’t expect to look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the newer techniques result in less pain and minimal bruising there usually is some swelling and discomfort. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by Dr. Obi, though you may still feel sore for a few days. After Slim Lipo most patients return to work after one to four days.

It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following surgery. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to look and feel better.

Getting Back to Normal

Healing is a gradual process. Dr. Obi will probably tell you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after a few days and after Slim Lipo most patients return to work after one to four days.

Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for 3 to 7 days as your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within 1 to 2 weeks whereas some swelling may persist longer.

Dr. Obi will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed.

Your New Look

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after Slim Lipo. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible.

If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape.

As healing progresses, a more proportional look will emerge.	A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.

Contact the plastic surgery office of Obi Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Lewis Obi. He will be happy to answer any questions you have about regular liposuction or the latest in liposuction technology, SLIM Lipo. We look forward to serving you!

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