Where is the liposuction surgery performed? Liposuction is performed at the NYC Board Certified Plastic Surgeon's office. The Manhattan Plastic Surgeon's beautiful state-of-the-art office is an accredited outpatient surgery center which ensures the highest degree of safety and the lowest infection rates.

What kind of anesthesia is used for the liposuction procedure?
Liposuction can be performed with a variety of anesthesia choices and Dr Rapaport reviews these individually with each patient.

LOCAL ANESTHESIA: Liposuction of small areas particularly when only one or two areas are being treated can be performed under local anesthesia. This relies mainly on the numbing effect of the tumescent fluid being injected. Based on 18 years of experience performing liposuction, Dr. Rapaport recommends local only in select cases, where the procedure is relatively small. This is because he finds most patients would prefer not to be wide awake during the procedure; they would simply not hear and feel what’s going on and would not have a detailed memory of the operation.

LOCAL IV SEDATION: Also called by some, “Twilight Anesthesia” this is Dr. Rapaports favorite method for anesthesia for the vast majority of liposuction cases he performed. Technically the technique he uses for conscious sedation and involves the patient receiving an IV drip from a board certified anesthesiologist. The drip contains several types of drugs, all of which are broken down very quickly and have a long and proven safety record. When under conscious sedation, the patient is cooperative but feels good; pain in minimized and in over 95% of cases there is absolutely no memory of the procedure. This technique requires both skill and patience in part of the surgeon and anesthesiologist and is one of many reasons that patients should be careful in deciding which team will perform their procedures.

GENERAL ANESTHESIA: General anesthesia means that the patient is rendered unconscious from the beginning to end of the procedure. In most cases this involves placement of a breathing tube. While generally safe, general anesthesia clearly involves risks that relate directly to the fact that doctors are taking over some of the patents’ vital functions. Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) and pulmonary embolism, though rare are much more common with general anesthesia than with other techniques. Dr. Rapaport believes that general anesthesia is simply unnecessary in the vast majority of liposuction procedures and adds unnecessary risk and discomfort (risk of nausea and vomiting is higher).

What is the recovery period like after liposuction? You will able to go home after your liposuction surgery. You will have compression garments made of spandex over the operated areas. These should be worn around the clock for 2 weeks followed by another 2 weeks when active. You will be walking around the day of surgery. The degree and duration of discomfort varies from patient to patient. Most patients are able to stop taking pain medication and are back to work within a few days. Non-strenuous activity can begin at 5-7 days, low impact exercise at 3 weeks and unlimited activity at 6 weeks.

What do liposuction scars look like? The scars from liposuction are small, and the NYC Plastic Surgeon tries to place them so they're hidden from view, even if you wear a bikini.

Is there a limit to how much fat can be removed during liposuction?
The safety guidelines instituted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommend that no more than 5 liters (11 pounds) of fat be removed at any one liposuction procedure. One must remember that it takes small increments of weight reduction in localized regions to make a noticeable difference.

Are the results from liposuction permanent? The results of liposuction will be permanent, as long as you maintain your pre-operative weight. For the best result it is important to establish a regular workout routine as well as proper nutrition. Even if you gain a few extra pounds, you may find that the weight is distributed more evenly instead of accumulating in the areas that were problematic for you in the past.

What areas are most commonly and effectively treated with liposuction?
Abdomen
Hips
Outer thighs (saddlebags)
Flanks (love handles)
Back
Inner thighs
Inner knees
Upper arms
Submental (chin)
Gynecomastia (male breast tissue)


Can I drive myself home after liposuction surgery?
No. Even if you have had a very limited liposuction under local anesthesia, the surgical experience may make you weak, shaky, or distracted enough that it is dangerous to drive. You should have someone bring you to surgery and take you back home. If you have had a general anesthetic, driving is out of the question.

If you have questions concerning liposuction plastic surgery or would like to schedule a consultation with the Manhattan Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, please phone David P. Rapaport's Manhattan, New York Plastic Surgery office at 212-752-1129 or email the NYC Plastic Surgeon at info@drrapaport.com.