What is Liposuction?
Liposuction has long been the gold standard when it comes to fat removal. Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which fat is removed through a small instrument called a cannula. The cannula is inserted through small openings in the skin into the fat space, and the fat cells are then gently suctioned out. This process is repeated over the entire area where fat removal is desired.
Consultations Are Available Now
The first step is to schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Kimberly Finder or one of our trusted providers at The Face and Body Place. Simply fill out the form on this page and request a consultation and we will reach out to you promptly to schedule your consultation appointment.
What is Tumescent Anesthesia Liposuction?
*Individual Results May Vary
Dr. Finder performs the Tumescent Anesthesia method of liposuction. This is a method of liposuction that is performed with only local anesthesia without the use of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Liposuction is an invasive surgery but when done under local anesthesia by a skilled and experienced surgeon is incredibly safe.
All liposuction procedures have some type of fluid or solution placed into the fat as a preparation for fat removal, but if general anesthesia or IV-intravenous sedation are used, it is not, by definition, tumescent anesthesia liposuction. Some surgeons use the term tumescent anesthesia incorrectly. The use of tumescent fluid and tumescent anesthesia is NOT the same thing.
Am I A Good Candidate For Liposuction?
It is important to understand that liposuction is not a tool for rapid or significant weight loss. Good candidates for liposuction include male and female patients who despite engaging in a healthy lifestyle, have difficulty reducing or slimming certain areas of the body.
What To Expect For Your Liposuction Procedure
The Consultation Process
Before surgery, Dr. Finder and her patient consultant will have a personal consultation with you.
Dr. Finder will ask you what your goals are from liposuction. Dr. Finder understands that every patient’s personal appearance goals are unique, and she works to understand each patient’s individual expectations.
Discussion of goals is an important part of the consultation. Just because fat can be removed doesn’t mean that your goals will be met. After an examination of the problem areas, a thorough discussion takes place. Dr. Finder takes the time to discuss expectations of surgery with each patient, and whether those expectations can be achieved. All questions are answered, and no question is trivial. If Dr. Finder believes you’re a good candidate for liposuction, a written proposal will be created that includes all the costs of the procedure.
Before Your Procedure
After a procedure date has been set, you’ll meet with one of Dr. Finder’s Nurses. During this pre-op visit, all the details of the procedure will be thoroughly discussed, written instructions will be given, pre-procedure laboratory work drawn, measurements and photographs taken, and consent forms signed. We try very hard to thoroughly prepare you so there are no surprises.
“I am a returning patient of Dr. Finder’s. I have been extremely happy with all of my results. Honest, respectful, kind and professional, she is truly a master of her art!!! The results and experience were top notch.”*
M.G.
*Individual Results May Vary
Day of Liposuction Procedure
On the day of surgery, you should wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment, and not drive yourself. This allows us to administer mild oral or intramuscular relaxation or pain medications if desired. Even without any medications given, it’s best not to drive immediately after a liposuction procedure.
After arrival, you will be “marked” for surgery. Dr. Finder will make a map on the skin of the areas where the fat will be removed. Photos are taken of the markings so that it’s easy for Dr. Finder to see the contours that need to be changed once the tumescent numbing fluid has been placed in the fat.
You’re made comfortable on a padded table, and the process begins. The numbing solution called tumescent anesthesia is gently infused into the tissue. After the tissue has been numbed, the suctioning process is next. Because you are awake during the process, you can talk to Dr. Finder and her nurses during your procedure. You can also drink fluids, or take a bathroom break if you need it.
Liposuction Results*
*Individual Results May Vary
An important question that most patients ask is, once the fat cells are removed, do they grow back? The answer is NO, they do not grow back which is one of the key advantages of liposuction surgery. However, Dr. Finder stresses that weight maintenance is still very important!
Not all fat cells in a suctioned area are removed, both because it’s not technically possible to achieve complete removal, but also because it isn’t desirable to have zero fat under the skin. We need a thin layer of fat to cushion our skin and to maintain a pleasing appearance. Residual fat cells are capable of storing more calories if calories need to be stored by our bodies.
After the fat cells along with some of the tumescent fluid have been removed, the procedure is complete. Sutures are not required and the incisions will normally heal without any scarring. Any remaining fluid that has not been removed is allowed to drain. This is another factor contributing to the safety of tumescent anesthesia liposuction. Fluid that is trapped in the body with sutures poses a greater risk of infection. When the fluid is allowed to drain, this acts a natural flush to the treated tissue and any skin bacteria that may have inadvertently entered the tissue are flushed out. In addition to safety, there will be less bruising and swelling when blood and fluid aren’t trapped in the tissue.
For more information, read Dr. Finder’s Appearance Goal, “Getting rid of fat“.
Why Select Dr. Kimberly Finder?
Tumescent liposuction was invented in the mid-1980 by Dr. Jeffrey Klein, a dermatologic surgeon. Dr. Klein’s tumescent anesthesia liposuction technique was quickly embraced by dermatologists like Dr. Kimberly Finder.
Dr. Kimberly Finder is a Board-Certified Dermatologist who began practicing tumescent technique liposuction in 1995. Dr. Finder founded The LipoSurgery Clinic in 1996 devoted to tumescent anesthesia liposuction for women. Since that time, she has performed over 6,000 tumescent anesthesia liposuction procedures, more than any other physician in San Antonio. For San Antonio Liposuction, Dr. Finder is the medical professional you should check out.
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most common questions patients ask about liposuction is how much it costs. The more important question to ask is how well it fulfills your needs and the experience and skill of the person providing it.
OUR PRICING IS ALWAYS ALL INCLUSIVE
WE NEVER CHARGE SURGICAL FEES
All of our procedures are competitively priced and we offer various financing options for our patients. An accurate price can only be determined through a consultation with Dr. Finder.
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Kimberly Finder, please fill out the form on this page or call The Face and Body Place in San Antonio, TX, at (210) 879-7499.
During the liposuction procedure, the same local anesthetic, lidocaine, used by your dentist to numb your teeth is placed into the fat space under the skin. The lidocaine concentration is only about 1/20th the concentration of what your dentist uses which allows us to use the volume needed to numb the fat. The tumescent solution numbs the tissue and removes the need for general anesthesia or IV-sedation.
This tumescent solution also contains epinephrine to shrink blood vessels and minimize bleeding and bruising. The very dilute concentration of the tumescent solution has a powerful effect on the small vessels of the fat and this means there is only a very small amount of blood loss. The shrinkage of the vessels also greatly slows the absorption of the lidocaine and the epinephrine from the fat. The solution’s anesthetic effect on the fat will last for 12 or more hours reducing post-procedure discomfort. The rapid heart rate some feel when a dentist uses concentrated local anesthesia is typically not felt with this very dilute solution.
The use of the tumescent solution gives all the fluids necessary during the procedure and the need for giving intravenous fluids are removed. This takes away one of the known serious side effects of liposuction under general anesthesia, when too much intravenous fluid may be given by the anesthesiologist causing a serious fluid overload. And because the patient is awake during the procedure, drinking water or juice is perfectly fine.
Key advantages of the tumescent technique over traditional liposuction are:
- Tumescent local anesthesia liposuction technique removes the risks associated with general anesthesia and IV-sedation.
- Tumescent liposuction saves patients both anesthesiologist and hospital or surgery center costs.
Safety and a long-lasting beautiful result–these are just a few of the reasons liposuction surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedure in the US. Expertly performed liposuction reduces bulges and problem areas that do not respond to diet and exercise.
Dr. Finder uses an advanced device called BodyJet™ that allows faster, more gentle placement of the tumescent fluid. It also allows Dr. Finder to better finesse the suctioning so that the results are far more pleasing. BodyJet™ is completely compatible with the SlimLipo™ laser. Once the tumescent numbing solution is in place, the suctioning part of the procedure takes place. The suctioning process includes the step of using SlimLipo™ laser to enhance the results of liposuction.
After the suctioning is complete, dressings to absorb the drainage are placed over the skin openings and we help you into your compression garment. Because there is no need to recover from general anesthesia, you can be picked up by your ride immediately. Most patients eat a good lunch and rest for the afternoon. A follow-up consultation for the next week will be arranged. Learn more about SlimLipo™
You are now on your way to a slimmer, shapely, and more confident you!
Take the Next Step
To schedule your consultation with Dr. Kimberly Finder, please fill out the form on this page or call The Face and Body Place in San Antonio, TX, at 210-492-3200.
*Individual Results May Vary