Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Gunnar Bergqvist, MD
Liposuction has become a rather easy and safe procedure that does not require anesthesia. Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Gunnar Bergqvist, performs liposuction in his private surgery suite on just about any area of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, arms, jawline, trunk, and breasts.
Liposuction began in France over 100 years ago. The interest in the procedure reduced due to unrefined techniques, however, it has now become a common and safe procedure due to medical advancements. The tumescent technique for local anesthesia has revolutionized liposuction by eliminating both risks of general anesthesia and bleeding once associated with liposuction. The associated vasoconstriction has permitted the extensive use of microcannulas and superficial liposuction, thus dramatically improving aesthetic results. Without proper training, its nearly impossible to perform liposuction without anesthesia. It requires much experience and training, thus it is very important that patients evaluate who they will choose to do this procedure.
What to expect
After a consultation with Dr. Bergqvist, the procedure is booked in an office setting with “awake” anesthesia, which is currently the preferred methiod. It can also be done in a surgery center setting so you can receive anesthesia if chosen. The day of the procedure, patients are asked to make sure they have a ride home, as it is not safe to drive yourself after any medical procedure. When the patient arrives, they change into a bathrobe and are given something to reduce anxiety if they so chose. The patient then is marked by Dr. Bergqvist and made comfortable before he begins to administer the tumescent slowly. This normally takes about 45 min. Then the patient rests for about an hour. Some patients, however, choose to receive some botox and fillers if they want that, as per their consultation. Or, they may choose to have a HydraFacial by our lovely Aestetician.
When the numbing medication has taken effect, the doctor begins the process of removing the fat which takes about 45 min – an hour. There are no incisions that require stitches. Once this process is finished, there are two other options that can be done should the patient have chosen one of the following during their consultation:
1.They can have their fat transferred to another area of the body, such as the breast or buttocks. This process is known as “Fat grafting.” Dr. Bergqvist processes the fatty tissue that was removed and then injects where extra volume is desired.
Or,
2. J- Plasma which is another short process that is fantastic for skin tightening. This can be done with or without the liposuction procedure. Some patients are thin and want tightening only. This canual is inserted in the exact same place the liposuction cannulas were. It has a tip that gives off a helium plasma beam that induces the deposition of collagen and skin tightening. The process reveals tightening within the first few months but the full benefits from this show after about 5 months. It’s like a tummy tuck, yet without having had the surgery or scar.
Liposuction and J-Plasma can be performed on practically any area of the body that has extra fat. Many patients have been offered to neck lift surgery by Dr. Bergqvist. However, most patients can choose the liposuction/J-Plasma combination which would give outstanding results and there would be no need for anesthesia, stitches or scar concerns. Once the fat is removed from an area, no additional fat cells repopulate that area.
Recovery
There is little to no downtime and most patients have some swelling and bruising for a few weeks. The benefit of Tumecent anestesia is the drastic reduction of pain and discomfort after this procedure. Most patients manage pain using over the counter pain medication if needed and are asked to refrain from strenuaous activity. The most importantpart of recovery is the use of compression garmants which are provided. This will help build and create your new shape!
Dr. Bergqvist is double boarded by the American Board of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as well as the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons which hold the Highest standard of care in the field. In 2019 Dr. Bergqvist and Dr. Jeffery Klein, (the inventor of Tumescent Anesthesia), showed new results with an even more advanced formula called TLAD, (Tumescent Lidocaine Antibiotic Delivery,) which further reduces pain and discomfort after even more invasive surgeries that can be used for all types of surgeries. This solution has allowed Dr. Bergqvist to expand its use for many other procedures allowing many procedures to be done directly in his office.
The Plastic Surgery Center of Naples
860 111th Ave., N., Suite #6, Naples Florida, 34108
239.431.7967 | www.SwedishDr.com
