(952) 920-6545Body Contouring Q&A:
Q: How does laser-assisted liposuction (ProLipo) differ from traditional liposuction?
Both treatments remove unwanted fat but the methods for doing so differ. Traditional liposuction requires a cannula to be inserted under the skin to remove isolated pockets of fat. But when you manually suction fat without newer laser technologies, such as ProLipo, the aggressive back and forth motion causes more bleeding, swelling and destruction of tissue. Laser-assisted liposuction is gentler and takes traditional liposuction to the next level by actually melting fat cells before they are removed, causing much less trauma to tissue, resulting in decreased bleeding, swelling and bruising. This ultimately leads to a faster recovery. In fact, the treatment is so comfortable, at Skin Rejuvenation Clinic, patients do not need to be put to sleep; they are kept awake and relaxed.
In addition to melting the fat, ProLipo cause the body to stimulate production of collagen, resulting smoother and tighter skin in the targeted area, with continued tightening for up to six months.
Q: How long after ProLipo will the soreness or tenderness persist?
During the days and weeks following the procedure, the degree of soreness and swelling is a function of the type of aftercare procedures employed. Soreness is usually the most intense 2 to 4 days after the procedure and then decreases steadily.
Q: How does the pain feel after the procedure?
Immediately after ProLipo, the local anesthesia persists for 12 to 24 hours, so that the only discomfort is described as soreness or tenderness. After the first day or so after ProLipo, the quality of pain is often similar to muscle soreness that one might experience after having worked-out too vigorously. This type of pain rarely requires any medication other than acetaminophen (Tylenol) for more than a day or two. In general, the bigger the area, the more the soreness.
Q: Do elastic compression garments reduce post-procedure pain?
Elastic compression garments can decrease post-procedure pain. Immediately after surgery, elastic garments encourage maximum amount of drainage of blood tinged anesthetic solution, which in turn reduces pain. After all the drainage has ceased, we ask patients to continue to wear a compression garment for 10-14 days in order to restrict the movement or jiggling of the treated areas. This reduces discomfort and gives a feeling of security. The compression garmeted is fitted to your newly contoured body and is included in the cost of the procedure.
Q: What can be done to minimize the soreness and swelling after the procedure?
Much of the swelling and soreness after regular liposuction is the result of residual blood tinged anesthetic solution that remains trapped under the skin after liposuction. Red blood cells that have leaked out of blood vessels, and fragments of fatty tissue that escape suction and remain under the skin cause inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling and pain. By encouraging drainage of this blood tinged solution one can minimize soreness and swelling after liposuction with ProLipo. Drainage is encouraged by leaving the incision sites partially open (with a special stitch) and by wearing an elastic compression garment.
Q: Is the drainage hard to control?
No, absorptive dressings which easily control the drainage are placed under the compression garments.
Q: Will I have to stay in bed during the recovery period?
No. Patients are encouraged to walk and to be active after the procedure. Most patients who have had ProLipo can expect to drive a car within 24 to 48 hours, and return to a normal work schedule within 24 to 72 hours. Patients who have had regular liposuction under general anesthesia tend to need more time off from work and over-all have a longer recovery period.
Q: Is ProLipo with local anesthesia less painful than regular liposuction under general anesthesia?
Some patients have first had liposuction using general anesthesia prior, and then had more liposuction using the tumescent technique. The vast majority of patients have said that ProLipo is a dramatically less painful experience than was liposuction under general anesthesia. Infiltrating the local anesthesia by the tumescent technique is typically associated with minimal discomfort. Once the area has been completely numbed, ProLipo in the area is essentially painless. In addition, because the local anesthesia persists in the treated area for more than 12 hours, there is typically very little pain immediately after the procedure.
Q: Why is ProLipo typically less painful than regular liposuction under general anesthesia?
Pain associated with ProLipo can occur at three different stages: during the administration of the tumescent solution, during liposuction, and postoperatively.
Our physician who does the tumescent infiltration has had special training in the technique, so the patient typically has very little pain during the process of administering the local anesthetic. With ProLipo, after the area has been thoroughly numbed, the subsequent liposuction should not be painful.
The postoperative pain after regular liposuction is typically much worse compared to ProLipo. After ProLipo, the local anesthesia persists for many hours after surgery and many patients need only take Tylenol for discomfort. In contrast, with general anesthesia, patients typically require narcotic analgesics to control post operative pain.
Finally, general anesthesia, and the use of intravenous sedatives and narcotics are associated with high incidence of nausea, vomiting and postoperative chills. Such symptoms are quite unusual with local anesthesia.
Q: Why is ProLipo typically less painful than regular liposuction under general anesthesia?
Pain associated with ProLipo can occur at three different stages: during the administration of the tumescent solution, during liposuction, and post-operatively. Our physician who does the tumescent infiltration has had special training in the technique, so the patient typically has very little pain during the process of administering the local anesthetic. With ProLipo, after the area has been thoroughly numbed, the subsequent liposuction should not be painful.
The postoperative pain after regular liposuction is typically much worse compared to ProLipo. After ProLipo, the local anesthesia persists for many hours after surgery and many patients need only take Tylenol for discomfort. In contrast, with general anesthesia, patients typically require narcotic analgesics to control post-operative pain.
Finally, general anesthesia, and the use of intravenous sedatives and narcotics are associated with high incidence of nausea, vomiting and postoperative chills. Such symptoms are quite unusual with local anesthesia.
Cosmetic/Skin Care Q&A
Q: I am researching cosmetic procedures online and I am overwhelmed! There are so many options available, I have no idea what I need so how can I book a service?
You're right, with all the cosmetic enhancements available, it's hard to know what service is right for you or your budget. That is precisely why we offer free consultations at Skin Rejuenation Clinic. Let our expert cosmetic physicians make recommendations for you based on your desired outcome and budget. They have done the homework for you and can give you expert advice on what services or products will work best for you. When else can you have a physician's undivided attention for 30 minutes at no cost?
Q: What is the difference between Botox and Dysport and dermal fillers (Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm)?
Botox and Dysport are neurotoxin "correctors" used to temporarily inhibit forehead lines, frown lines and crow's feet from forming. Botox and Dysport are both safe and are FDA-approved for the treatment of frown lines (glabellar lines). We typically use Botox and Dysport around the eyes and above. The effects of these products typically take place in about 2-5 days and last about 3-4 months and in some cases longer. For moderate to deep lines below the eyes like lines around your mouth, chin, sunken eyes, sunken cheeks or for uneven lips, we use a dermal filler to actually fill in and smooth creases. Results can be seen immediately and depending on the filler used can last between 6 months to in some cases well over a year.
Q: How is Skin Rejuvenation Clinic different from other medi-spas?
The primary difference is that Skin Rejuvenation Clinic's physicians administer all the anti-aging laser services and injectables themselves, ensuring your face and body are in the best of hands. You will not meet with a physician for a consult and then get passed off to a nurse or aesthetician for your anti-aging laser service, injectable or laser liposuction procedure, as is the case with many other practices. Skin Rejuvenation Clinic also focuses on minimally-invasive cosmetic care, unlike other practices that have many different specialties (ranging from plastic surgery to corn removal!) Performing minimally invasive cosmetic procedures is all we do and we do it well.
Q: Are your physicians qualified to treat me?
Let the statistics speak for themselves. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:
In 2010, Dr. Mark did more than 3 TIMES the number of laser liposuction cases when compared to plastic surgeons doing traditional liposuction cases!
In 2010, Mark and Beth injected an average of THREE AND A HALF TIMES MORE the amount of Botox and Dysport procedures when compared to the average board-certified plastic surgeon.
In 2010, Mark and Beth injected an average of THREE TIMES the amount of Juvederm, Perlane and Restylane procedures when compared to the average plastic surgeon
In 2010, Beth and Mark injected an average of FIVE TIMES the number of Radiesse procedures when compared to the average plastic surgeon.
BEFORE AFTER RESTYLANE (FILLER) IN LIPS, PERLANE
(FILLER) TO SCULPT CHEEKS, 1 PROFRACTIONAL
LASER WITH MICROLASERPEEL
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