Ultrasonic assisted liposuction is the most common surgery performed on males at the Gillian Institute. Some areas of fat are more difficult to treat, either because of genetics or previous surgery. The most common areas amendable to liposuction are the abdomen, and hips or love handles. The love handles in men, the back, and the upper abdomen tend to have a tougher, firmer fat that can be difficult to remove.

Dr. Short can utilize her revolutionary liposuction technique to “melt” away the fullness and promote skin contraction. Dr. Short can also use a smaller cannula in the abdominal area to perform an “etching” liposuction technique to allow more definition in the rectus muscles, especially designed for male patients.

Dr. Kimberly Short’s liposuction contouring technique is sculpting the ultimate medium-The Human Body. Dr. Kimberly Short trained with the leading surgeons in ultrasonic liposuction development and the early introduction of ultrasound assisted liposuction in Europe (Paris) and the United States. Dr. Short was the first in Indianapolis to use the external and internal ultrasound for liposuction and started the first FDA trial in Indiana at St. Francis Hospital.

Dr. Short uses the tumescent technique and ultrasound assisted liposuction technique. Liposuction terms such as SmartLipo and Laser Liposuction have been gaining popularity from the media, but Dr. Kimberly Short, does not believe either of these techniques offer advantages compared to the ultrasound assisted liposuction technique.

Dr. Short’s liposuction technique is a four step technique which includes, tumescent, external and internal ultrasound, and traditional liposuction. Dr. Short believes in the ultrasound assisted liposuction because it gives male patients superior results compared to traditional liposuction only.

When Should I Consider Liposuction?

  • Localized areas of fat, resistant to diet and exercise.
  • Not for body weight reduction; desire in contour improvements.
  • Out of proportion areas.

Anticipated Results:

  • Reduction of liposity with improved muscular definition.
  • An improved physique.
  • Improvement in body proportions and permanent contour changes.

Procedure

The technique is a four step technique including: tumescent, external and internal ultrasound, and traditional liposuction. The Internal Ultrasound and External Ultrasound can be especially helpful. The incisions made for liposuction are very small, 2-2.5 cm in length, and are located in well hidden areas such as the inside of the belly button for liposuction to the abdomen, the lower back for the love handles.

The first step in liposuction consists of tumescent. The tumescent technique includes injection of local anesthetic in solution, which causes a contraction of the blood vessels and significantly decreases blood loss, bruising, and improves pain control. The tumescent technique decreases the recovery time and improves the smoothness of the result.

 

The internal ultrasound is used to treat the deep layers by using a vibratory motion combined with heat to liquify or “melt” the fat. The internal ultrasound device has made fat removal easier; and in many cases, it is possible to remove more fat than with traditional liposuction because the fat cells are removed in a more liquid form with promoting skin contraction. The external ultrasound is a device used to treat the superficial layers by promoting skin contraction also.

By using this combined therapy, Dr. Short can increase the amount removed with reducing the risk of skin irregularities, promotion of skin contraction, and improvement of cellulite UAL (ultrasound-assisted liposuction) is typically less traumatic and the ability to contour is increased. Dr. Short usually incorporates both the internal and external ultrasound for assistance in liposuction. The last step in the liposuction technique is the use of traditional liposuction cannula to remove the fatty tissue cells by utilizing an appropriate amount of suction for gentle removal.

What do I need to know about the procedure?

Precautions

Dr. Short may recommend staging the liposuction procedures (waiting 2-3 months between) to allow for adequate recovery. Larger volume liposuction (volumes greater than 5-7 liters takes longer in surgery, is more expensive, and requires more recovery. Volumes greater than 5-6 liters of liposuction removal will require an overnight stay at the surgery center to provide optimal hydration and monitoring overnight for patients. Volumes less than 5 liters of liposuction removal will allow for a quicker recovery even if multiple body areas area treated at the same time. Dr. Short does not recommend exceeding 10 liters of liposuction removal.

Cost

The cost will vary based on amount and time required for surgery. For example, liposuction of the lovehandles may range from 2.0 Liter to 4 Liters based on multiple factors.

Recovery

The results from the liposuction procedure are permanent and long lasting. Dr. Short recommends maintaining your preoperative weight, because if you gain weight in the future, the liposity will be added to your figure, just not typically the area(s) that were treated with liposuction. It is very important following surgery, the male compression garment remains intact 24 hours a day, except to shower, for the first 3 weeks, and then it may be removed at night for the next 3 weeks to ensure adequate healing and decrease the risk of a fluid collection (seroma) following surgery. It is also important to follow post operative guidelines of no bending, twisting, or turning movements for the first 2-3 weeks to ensure sealing of the tissues and prevention of fluid collection(s) to the love handles or abdomen.

Dr. Short recommends a post-operative compression garment and the use of special compression pads referred to as Topifoam pads. The Topifoam pads will provide improved skin contraction, decrease bruising and swelling, and aid in skin molding after surgery. The Topifoam pads are recommended for the first 1-2 weeks. The compression garment will be especially tailored for the male anatomy and your measurements to provide a perfect fit to decrease swelling and bruising as quickly as possible. Dr. Short will also recommend post operative massage using the external ultrasound device and technology in the office. The external ultrasound massage will begin 1-2 weeks following surgery depending on the swelling and any presence of fluid collections. The external ultrasound massage will reduce the swelling and any areas of firmness related to swelling, encourage the body’s lymphatic system to improve swelling, and increase the tissue softness.

Planning the Surgery

TIME OFF WORK

Varies between 7-10 days depending on the number of areas, the surface area, and the anticipated fat removal. In some cases, it will be recommended to stage the liposuction areas to allow for a more tolerable recovery period and decrease the time under anesthesia for safety precautions. You are restricted to no bending, twisting, or turning movements for the first 2-3 weeks post operative.

CAREGIVER

You will need someone to take care of you for the first 24-36 hours postoperative. You will need a driver to be available for the first week and your first post-operative appointment.

THE DAY OF SURGERY

The procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis using general anesthesia. The duration of the procedure is related to the size of the area and the quantity of areas requiring treatment. Liposuction to the lovehandles is 2.0-2.5 hours and Liposuction to the abdomen is 1.5-2.0 hours. The procedure may require an overnight stay at the surgery center if more than 5-6 liters is removed at one time in order to provide adequate hydration post-operative.

AFTER SURGERY

You return home with a foam padding (Topifoam pad) placed beneath your compression garment which covers the areas that were treated. The Topifoam compression pads add additional padding under the garment to alleviate swelling sooner, decrease bruising, and aid in molding the skin for appropriate skin contraction. Compression from the garment is advised for six weeks, as it helps reduce swelling and bruising.

A recommended cooling device (designed from the NASA Space Program) replaces the use of traditional ice application if desired by patient post operative. The cooling device will allow the body to receive an uniform cooling temperature. Post-operative external ultrasound massage will begin will begin one to two weeks following surgery to reduce any areas of firmness and swelling, encourage the lymphatic system, and promote skin contraction. The post-operative massage is performed in the office by a licensed aesthetician or nurse. You will receive oral pain medication for the initial discomfort. Once the tenderness and swelling subside, you may find biker shorts more comfortable. Bruising and swelling usually subside in 6 weeks, and the final contour becomes apparent over 3 months.

Additional Considerations

An additional procedure that may enhance the result is a body lift procedure to address any skin looseness such as an abdominoplasty or buttock lift for male patients. Depending on your desires and the condition of your skin and abdominal wall muscles, you may be a better candidate for a tummy tuck. Usually for male patients, body lift procedures are recommended for male patients whom have lost a significant amount of weight, 100 lbs or more, to be a good candidate for an abdominoplasty / tummy tuck or buttock lift procedure.

It is important to address any concerns with Dr. Short at the time of your consultation.

There is some risk, as with any surgical procedure. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. Dr. Short can explain the procedure and potential complications to you in detail, and she can assist you in determining if liposuction is right for you.