As the temperatures chill and the daylight hours decline it doesn't take long for summer to feel like it was forever ago. As we hunker down for hibernation to daydream of next summer, it is the perfect time to start preparing our body for its next seasonal debut.
The winter months are the best months for many treatments for a variety of reasons - the darker days mean skin is less exposed to light, perfect for rejuvenating laser treatments and addressing pigmentation issues. If considering cosmetic procedures such as breast enhancement or high def lipo, having the cooler months to recover is ideal. Allowing yourself three months for optimal recovery should be considered, we recommend having surgical procedures in September at the latest if not earlier, so your body has settled and full results are visible just when you want to see them.
At Dr David and Associates one of our most popular winter procedures is Hi-Def Lipo. Hi-Def Lipo is one of our most effective body sculpting offerings and can be used in both small areas of the body, such as the chin, armpit and knee, or more extensively on larger areas such as the stomach, love handles, buttocks and thighs.
So what is the difference between standard liposuction and Vaser Hi-Def Lipo ? Traditional liposuction is an effective way to permanently remove unwanted deposits of fat. Using a cannula, fat is vacuumed out of the body and removed from problematic areas, smoothing and reshaping the figure.
Vaser Hi-Def Lipo is a more recent advancement in lipo-sculpting, combining liposuction with ultrasound technology, the ultrasound is drawn to adipocytes (fat cells). Vaser ads an extra step, liquifying the fat cells prior to extraction which makes them easier to remove than solid fat. Ultrasound waves are generated and transmitted through the tip of a cannula delivering energy directly to the fat cells causing them to liquefy. Tissue surrounding the fat is not affected, unlike standard liposuction.
The cannulas used during a Hi-Def lipo procedure are more gentle than standard cannulas; this makes it easier to remove the liquefied fat cells resulting in less bleeding and a faster recovery. Due to the fat cells being easier to ‘vacuum up’, an added benefit is the greater contraction of skin, stimulated by the heat produced by the ultrasonic waves.
Who is this operation for?
Ideally, liposculpture is for people who are happy with their overall size and shape - the patient may struggle with one or two areas that have disproportionately more fat accumulation. In general, these people are in good health, exercise and eat a high-quality diet but just can’t shift fat from difficult areas. If you have a prominent abdomen you may have fat within the abdominal cavity (behind the muscle); this type of problem responds best to exercise and good eating, and cannot be improved with liposuction. Only the fat in front of the muscle can be reduced with liposuction.
The procedure
Under general anaesthetic, or light sedation, small incisions (2-3mm) are made in well-camouflaged areas and anaesthetic fluid is infused under the skin in preparation for the removal of fat. A cannula is inserted to remove the fat.
The entire operation can take anywhere from one to three hours depending on the size of the patient, the number of areas addressed, and the volume of fat removed. After a recovery of one to two hours, patients can go home with their carer.
Recovery time
Most patients experience some tenderness for 2 or 3 days and can usually return to work after about 4 or 5 days. Special support garments need to be worn for the first 3 or 4 weeks. These are firm supportive elastic outfits that help to speed recovery and improve the body contour, supportive garments are very important to achieving a good result (another reason why it's best to have the procedure in winter!)
By the end of the first month, any pain should have subsided and most people feel back to normal. There may still be some bruising and numbness which last for another few weeks as swelling gradually subsides
The final result is usually seen around three months once swelling settles and the skin contracts. The small incisions still continue to improve over time with most people finding they disappear to a tiny blemish
Is the fat removal permanent?
Some people are concerned that the body can produce more fat, or that the fat can move. This is not the case. The removal of fat is permanent.
Which areas can liposculpture be performed on?
The technique can be used to treat most areas, but some respond better than others:
• Arms, thighs, knees, calves, hips, back - commonly operated on with a good outcome.
• Abdomen - responds well depending on the patient's body shape; can be a good alternative to a ‘tummy tuck’.
• Chin - responds very well in the majority of patients and heals very quickly.
• Suprapubic/mons - an area that responds well. Can cause genital bruising for a few weeks but resolves.
• Breasts - liposculpture can be used as an alternative to surgical breast reduction in women who want to reduce by approximately one cup size.
• Buttocks - can be slightly improved but will not tolerate large volume removal.
Are there visible scars?
For most people, the scars are nearly invisible and can't be seen after a few months of healing. For people with dark skin, the incision sites may darken for a few months but in general return to a more normal shade.
Will my skin shrink back once the volume is reduced?
One of the challenges of this operation from a surgeon’s perspective is knowing when the right amount of fat has been removed from an area. If too much is removed then the skin might become loose and not contract enough. Younger patients are more likely to have skin that contracts well. Patients who are older, have sun damage, or prior large weight loss are more likely to have loose skin after liposculpture. With the use of the Vaser ultrasonic system, the retraction of skin is enhanced.
Are any special blood tests required?
For most healthy people, no blood tests are required. Special tests may be required if there are medications or past medical history which may affect the operation or anaesthetic.
What if I have more questions?
If you would like to make an appointment for a consultation click on this link to book online or please contact us on 1800 745 536.
When I look at the treatments we’re working on at the moment and this coming year - I realise they’re mostly around moving tissue from one part of the body to another (transfer) and harnessing the body’s own regenerative systems.
While it can be easy to assume that if a doctor is a plastic or cosmetic surgeon that they are well experienced, ensuring you are selecting someone who has the right training and surgical history you require can be a difficult task. The fact is, regardless of their title, a surgeon may have never performed the procedure you are looking to undergo before and may not be the right choice for your needs. So how do you go about selecting the right person for the job? Here are some things to keep in mind whilst selecting a surgeon.
Let’s say you are looking to undergo a breast implant procedure, whether through plastic or cosmetic surgery you will want to ensure the surgeon you choose has undergone the right training and experience. The Australian College of Cosmetic Surgery, for example, does allow surgeons to become certified in breast implant surgery. By visiting their website, you can see for yourself what is required by those looking to become certified in terms of experience and training. If a surgeon is certified through the ACCS they need to abide by the college’s code of conduct which may give you extra peace of mind. One inclusion in this code is that a surgeon will need to inform you during the consultation if they have performed the surgery you are undergoing less than 100 times.
For plastic surgeons, you may want to check they are a member of The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and that their qualifications are recognised by the Australian Medical Council (AMC). It is important to note here though that the AMC hasn’t included an assessment, training or expertise in cosmetic surgical procedures. Basically, this means you can still become a qualified plastic surgeon with having no or little experience in cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation, so it’s important to do your research. Of course, some plastic surgeons will be skilled in these areas and will have extensive experience and/or undergone extra training.
To help you cut through the confusion and work to make an informed decision, here are some questions you should ask a surgeon before you decide on them.
How many times have you performed this procedure before? You are looking for someone who can say they have performed it hundreds or even thousands of times.
How many times in the last 6 months?
(If a plastic surgeon) Did you undergo extra training in cosmetic procedures?
What is your complication rate and how do you go about discovering this?
Do you operate in a licensed hospital or day hospital in Melbourne?
Can I see images of work you have done?
Can I speak to previous patients?
Other things you may want to consider is comparing prices. As a general rule, low costs are associated with the quality you receive. Speak to our team about your options. You may want to also ensure you will have a specialist anesthetist during your operation.
This fat transfer occurs when a patient’s own fat is extracted using a liposuction cannula from one part of the body (generally the waist, stomach or thighs) and injected into another part of the body to boost the fat volume. While this procedure is not limited to breasts – it can be used for the face and the buttocks as well – Melbourne based patients are turning to this minimally invasive breast augmentation option more and more.
Eyes may be the windows of the soul but sometimes the curtains can get a little faded. As we age and skin loses elasticity, the skin and tissue around the eye can begin to sag and wrinkle. With a simple walk-in, walk-out clinic procedure, you can restore the skin around your eyes to be smoother, softer and add youth to your appearance.
Whether you need eyelid surgery for medical reasons or you are looking for improvement to a problem area, Dr David can walk you through the process and discuss your available options to achieve your desired outcome.
Despite what everyone thinks, having breast implant surgery doesn’t necessarily mean weeks of pain and recovery.
Previously, especially with techniques where the implant was placed under the muscle, recovery times were quite prolonged. Today, particularly with the rapid recovery technique Dr David uses, most patients are up and about the next day.
This method was invented by a Texan plastic surgeon who calls it the “Out to dinner breast augmentation”. This might sound a bit optimistic, but it’s absolutely achievable. Dr David has actually had patients that have been able to go out for dinner the same night as their surgical procedure.
As with any surgery, some recovery time is required. However, it is important to stay active after your surgery, because it can help your healing process moving forward. Frequent walks helps prevent any blood clots, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, but it is important to take it easy in the beginning. Everyone is different, and some people might heal quicker than others.
