What is Body Liposuction?
Body contouring, or liposuction, removes fat cells beneath the skin in order to
shape certain areas of the body. The surgery can be performed nearly anywhere on
the body and has proven particularly effective in the abdomen, waist, hips, and
thighs. It can also be used on the arms, buttocks and knees. Body contouring is
well suited for an outpatient facility such as Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery
of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The surgery is performed with local or general anesthesia
depending on the areas to be contoured. The length of the surgery depends on the
number and size of the areas being treated.
Are there liposuction before and after pictures for me to look at?
During your consultation with our liposuction surgeons at their Heartland Plastic
and Hand Surgery practice in Cape Girardeau, you will be able to browse through
a number of before and after pictures of patients who successfully underwent liposuction.
This will enable you to visualize what liposuction will do for you.
What is the average cost of liposuction? Is there a charge for the consultation?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the average cost
of liposuction varies depending on how many areas are treated at one time. One area
of liposuction averages around $3100 (effective June 1, 2009). This includes operating
room cost and anesthesia services. We will examine your areas of concern during
your consultation and determine the total cost. There is an $85 charge for the consultation.
The consultation charge is deducted from the price of the procedure if surgery is
scheduled within 6 months. After 6 months, a new consultation may be scheduled to
review any changes in your medical history.
Is financing available? And will insurance cover any of my fees?
Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery accepts several types of payments. They are cash,
credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express), money order, cashier
checks and financing with a financing company of your choice. Liposuction is not
covered by commercial insurance and will need to be paid in full before surgery.
Make sure you have made financing arrangements in advance with your financing company.
How much weight can I expect to lose after liposuction?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, we do not believe that
liposuction is a solution for weight loss. If you are looking to lose weight, they
need to seek out a weight loss program that fits your needs. After you are at their
desired weight and still have problem areas, then liposuction may help to improve
your body.
I have heard about death with liposuction. Have you ever had this happen to one
of your patients?
It's important to understand liposuction is a surgical procedure and all surgeries
carry a certain risk. Death from liposuction has been directly related to large
volume liposuction. At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri,
our surgeons have never had a death as a result of liposuction, but they set the
limit to 5 liters of fat maximum that can be removed during one procedure.
On average how many liposuction procedures do you perform in a year?
Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, performs about 40-50
liposuction procedures a year.
Is there a better time of year to have liposuction?
To allow yourself time to heal, make sure you schedule the surgery at a time when
you will be able to rest. After liposuction, you will be moving pretty slowly and
you will wear a compressive garment for about 3 weeks. You may also have to make
adjustments at work due to pain, swelling and being on pain medication. Liposuction
patients in Cape Girardeau take anywhere from a long weekend to 2 weeks off work
depending on how many areas were treated and the physical nature of the their job.
Do I have to stop smoking before a liposuction procedure?
We would like for the patient to stop smoking 1 month before surgery and 1 month
after surgery. Nicotine in cigarettes decreases the blood supply to the skin and
blood supply is a very important factor in the healing process. We hope Heartland
Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau patients can decrease their exposure
not only to first hand but also to second hand smoke.
Is there anything I need to do to get myself ready for liposuction?
To reduce bruising and the risk of hematoma, stop taking blood thinners and vitamin
E at least one week before and after surgery. If you are on prescription blood thinners,
you may need to get medical clearance from your family doctor and instructions on
how to stop these medications. We also want all herbal medication and diet pills
(prescription and over-the-counter) stopped at least two weeks before surgery and
one week following surgery.
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery of Cape Girardeau, Missouri we requiring the
liposuction patient to be in overall good health before the surgery can be performed.
If there are questions regarding your health, medical clearance from your family
doctor may be required.
What should I do next?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, David Deisher,
MD and J. Stewart Humphrey, MD are board certified by The American Board of Plastic
Surgery. They offer plastic and hand surgery to patients across Missouri including
Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Sikeston Missouri. If you believe liposuction may be
for you, your next step is to call the Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery office
today to schedule your initial consultation! Make a mental note of all your questions
and concerns to your consultation so your surgeon can address them. Call us now.
Make this first step to a better looking you!
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