Liposuction at Dr. Afridi's Manhattan Plastic Surgery Practice

Dr. Afridi is proud to offer patients her extensive experience and expertise in liposuction, one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the U.S. today. Liposuction sculpts the body by removing undesirable fat from areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, chin, cheeks, neck and upper arms that have not responded to diet and exercise, such as after pregnancy. Local anesthesia or general anesthesia may be used, and the procedure can last anywhere from one to five hours depending on the amount of fat being removed.

Personalized Care

Dr. Afridi knows that all patients are different, both in their body shapes and in what they wish to achieve with liposuction. She takes as much time as necessary during every pre-operative consultation to learn what each patient wants liposuction to achieve for them, and to decide which technique is best. In this way, every one of her patients enjoys completely customized treatment designed with his or her specific goals in mind.

Liposuction Techniques

The liposuction procedure begins with the injection of a solution composed of saline (salt water), a local anesthetic called lidocaine, and a small amount of adrenaline to decrease bruising and bleeding. This is known as either the tumescent or super-wet technique, depending on the ratio of the fluid to the fatty tissue being removed.

Once this solution has been introduced into the area planned for liposuction treatment, Dr. Afridi proceeds with one of two different methods of liposuction currently approved by plastic surgeons: suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL) or ultrasonic-assisted lipectomy (UAL).

In both methods, a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible. In SAL, a cannula (small tube) is inserted and moved back and forth beneath the skin, breaking up the fat layer and suctioning it out. In UAL, ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out with a cannula.

The Liposuction Procedure

The liposuction procedure may last from one to five hours, depending on the amount of fat being removed. Dr. Afridi will use either local anesthesia or general anesthesia, again depending on the size of the area(s) being treated as well as several other factors. She will discuss which method is best for you during your pre-operative consultation at her New York City office.

Before		After
Liposuction after re-contours the waistline and removes fat from the lower abdomen that diet and exercise alone cannot reduce. » See more before-and-after images of Dr. Afridi's patients who underwent liposuction

Additional Procedures

Recovery

After liposuction surgery, drainage tubes, compression garments and antibiotics may be needed to facilitate the healing process. Patients are encouraged to walk as soon as they are able, and many return to work within a few days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month.

Results of Liposuction

Results are visible immediately, and improvement often continues as swelling subsides during the first three months.

Dr. Afridi makes sure that scars from the liposuction cannula insertion point are small and inconspicuous.

Risks of Liposuction

Risks are uncommon when the liposuction is performed by a qualified surgeon. Nevertheless, they do occur, and may include the following:

• Infection
• Delays in healing
• Fat clots or blood clots
• Shock
• Fluid accumulation
• Burns
• Perforation injury
• Lidocaine toxicity
• Unfavorable drug or anesthesia reactions

Irregularities in appearance are possible, such as asymmetric or "baggy" skin, numbness and pigmentation changes.

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Call to schedule a consultation with Dr. Afridi: (212) 421-5100

Body Procedures at Dr. Afridi's Office:

Liposuction - Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) - Partial Abdominoplasty
Circumferential Abdominoplasty (Body Lift) - High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty
Medial and Lateral Thigh Lift