INITIAL CONSULTATION
A patient is first given a complimentary consultation with Dr. Amron to see if he/she is a good candidate for the surgery. During the consultation, he describes the procedure and the results that should be realistically expected. He will also review alternative treatment options and explain the possible risks and complications that may occur. Dr. Amron personally evaluates each patient from head to toe, and shares his expert opinion on stubborn, fatty areas that may be removed from his/her body by liposuction. A quote is then given for the procedure.
A complete medical history is taken and a careful examination is conducted in order to evaluate the patient’s condition. Photographs are frequently taken before and after surgery to help evaluate the amount of improvement. Paperwork including agreements and contracts is completed. Blood work is done and meds are prescribed. Patients are advised to take the prescribed Vitamin K and mild antibiotic prior to the surgery. Finally, any questions and concerns are addressed by Dr. Amron.
Most surgeries are between 45 minutes and 2 ½ hours. Liposuction is performed on the patient in a fully accredited operating room and patients are monitored in the safest, most sterile environment. Dr. Amron and his staff create a soothing atmosphere for his patients where quiet, relaxing music is being played in the background.
Based on extensive research and hands-on experience, Dr. Amron strongly feels that it is essential that the patient is conscious during liposuction to achieve optimal results. When the patient is conscious precise positioning can be done, which is only possible under local anesthesia. It is important to remember that Liposuction is a procedure that sculpts the body. Dr. Amron feels it is much more difficult, if not impossible, to meticulously sculpt an area without the patient being able to assume exact positions during the procedure. With liposuction, patient positioning is crucial to achieving an outstanding result.
On the day of the surgery, valium is given to patients as a means for relaxation. Dr. Amron marks all areas and photos are taken of the patient’s body. Incisions also called access points are numbed using a tiny needle with local anesthesia; this takes about 1-2 minutes.
For the first 15-30 minutes, large volumes of a solution containing dilute lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and dilute epinephinne (a drug to shrink capillaries and prevent blood loss) are injected with minimal discomfort directly into key areas of excessive fatty deposits. A round-ended cannula is used for this injection and patients feel slight pinching during this process. This infiltration step along with all other steps is conducted solely by Dr. Amron.
Once the liquid is injected, a tube connected to a vacuum is inserted into the fatty layer. Using to and fro movements with the cannula, the fat is drawn through the tube into a collection system. Dr Amron’s technique is to start in the deep fat and gradually tunnel to the surface using progressively smaller and flatter cannulas. He also prefers to “crisscross” his passes with the cannula, creating a precise network of tunnels in the fat ensuring a smooth natural looking result. These techniques are essential because, if the angle of entry of the liposuction cannula is not always kept parallel to the skin surface irregularities and dimples may result. This process feels like a massage and it takes about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Patients are fully awake and talking with Dr. Amron. They are also moved to different positions to allow Dr. Amron to meticulously sculpt their stubborn, fatty areas.
Finally, Dr. Amron and his operating room attendants gently massages excess fluids out of patients’ bodies. Throughout the entire process, patients are fully awake and alert. Patients are fitted into garments and allowed to take a short rest in the recovery room. Then, they are escorted out of the center by a staff member.
Patients are allowed to return home or back to their hotel rooms as long as they are accompanied by a friend or family member. They can resume a normal diet and should continue to take their prescribed Vitamin K and mild antibiotics. Most patients are able to return to work in two days. Only one in ten patients take pain medication after the surgery due to Dr. Amron’s gentle approach to performing liposuction. The local anesthesia injected into the tissue remains for 13 to 24 hours following liposuction surgery. This greatly minimizes postoperative pain. After tumescent liposuction, patients are usually alert and able to function without nausea, grogginess, and the “washed out” feeling commonly associated with general anesthesia. With the tumescent technique, there is minimal bruising, and many patients do not require postoperative care for pain. Incision points are left open to drain, and most patients are completely drained of the local anesthesia within 12-48 hours; the faster the drainage of these liquids, the less bruising there will be on the patient’s body. Patients are able to shower the very next day, and Dr. Amron highly recommends that the patient walk for at least two miles the following day to promote faster healing. Surgery garments should be worn for 24 hours of the day for 7-10 days, and 12 hours a day for the next 10 days. These garments will assist in healing.
Dr. Amron asks to see his patients 2-7 days after the surgery for a quick check-up on the incisions and the healing process. Most bruising diminishes after 3 weeks from the surgery and most patients start looking better than before their surgeries. After 3-4 months, patients return to the office to have their post-op photos taken. At this point, patients would have achieved 75-80% of their final results. |
