As you age your metabolism begins to slow down, making it more and more difficult to get rid of stubborn body fat. Awake tumescent liposuction is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that can remove fat from troublesome areas such as:
- Thighs and arms
- Chin and neck
- Male and female chest
- Waist and hips
- Upper and lower back
GIOSTAR Chicago has combined regenerative therapy and awake liposuction into one, same-day procedure called LipoRe. Regenerative therapies are helping people return to their active lifestyles by speeding up recovery time and assisting with repairing damaged cells.
What Is Awake Liposuction?
Awake liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia to remove unwanted body fat. Before performing an awake liposuction procedure, an anesthetic mixture of lidocaine and epinephrine is injected locally into the patient’s skin. This may reduce patient discomfort, and minimize potential bleeding.
The patient will likely feel little pain, aside from sensing movement from the small cannula inserted through the skin. When using local anesthesia, the patient is awake and conscious, allowing for movement and re-positioning during the procedure. This is helpful when targeting hard-to-reach problem areas such as the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Fat cells are removed during the liposuction procedure, resulting in potential aesthetic improvements. GIOSTAR Chicago strongly advises taking a holistic approach to sustaining these outcomes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise regimen.
Awake tumescent liposuction offers several benefits beyond the safe elimination of unwanted fat from numerous regions of the body. The procedures may also be effective in removing lipomas, benign fatty tumors, and reducing the size of male and female breasts. Complications related to awake liposuction are fairly minor and may include loose skin, numbness, infections, and scarring. The frequency and severity of complications can be reduced when the cosmetic procedure is performed by an experienced plastic surgeon.
Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthesia
The risks associated with cosmetic surgeries significantly increase when general anesthesia is used. Some risks include:
- Allergic reaction
- Breathing issues
- Heart attack
- Dizziness
- Temporary confusion
- Nausea
These are only some of the risks associated with general anesthesia. Those who have allergies, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and stroke are at more of a risk of developing a general anesthetic reaction. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption may also increase these risks.
All patients interested in awake liposuction must complete a medical history form and undergo a thorough screening process to ensure the patient meets specific requirements prior to the procedure. Not everyone is a good candidate for awake liposuction. Patients who are overweight or allergic to lidocaine, for instance, will not qualify.
Why Patients Prefer Awake Liposuction
The GIOSTAR Chicago team is committed to providing patient safety, comfort, positive surgical outcomes, and adherence to the high practice standards expected by our patients. Patients can anticipate the highest quality care from Dr. Gellis, a world-renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon with over 40 years of experience. Dr. Michael Gellis is regarded by many as one of the pioneers of awake tumescent liposuction.
Patients may experience less bruising, swelling, and downtime following the awake liposuction procedure. The local anesthesia effects can last for up to 24 hours. Swelling and bruising will be apparent after the procedure. However, in many cases, patients can return to work and resume their normal daily activities within seven days.
Regenerative Medicine and Liposuction
Earlier this year, GIOSTAR Chicago unveiled LipoRe – a procedure combining both awake liposuction and regenerative therapy. Patients can now alleviate joint pain and rejuvenate their bodies while eliminating excess body fat. LipoRe leverages groundbreaking surgical techniques developed by regenerative medicine pioneer Dr. Anand Srivastava and Dr. Michael Gellis. GIOSTAR Chicago is one of the first centers in the country to offer both cosmetic fat reduction surgery and regenerative therapy in only one visit.
Many patients tend to feel rejuvenated and energized following their LipoRe procedure. There are several potential benefits of regenerative therapy including:
- Quicker recovery
- Pain reduction
- Improvements in cosmetic appearance
It’s important to have realistic expectations and speak with an experienced doctor before pursuing any cosmetic procedure. If you’ve been considering awake liposuction, determine your eligibility by completing a medical history form. Alternately, you can call us at 844 446 7827, or contact us online. The GIOSTAR Chicago team welcomes any questions you may have.
