Liposuction currently ranks as the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US, according to the ASPS figures. Pre-operative preparation creates the foundation for a successful liposuction surgery, and patients should follow the instructions of the cosmetic surgeon through this process.

A well-prepared patient will be in a healthier state, with a positive mindset and clear goals to go through liposuction surgery. This increase their chances of achieving high satisfaction levels in the end. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Steps to take before Surgery

The following steps should be taken by the patient well before the scheduled date for liposuction surgery:

• Arranging for past medical and surgical records for a review by the liposuction cosmetic surgeon.
• Preparing a list of currently used prescription and non-prescription drugs, aspirin and other blood thinners, vitamins and herbal supplements to show to the surgeon.
• Getting any x-rays or blood tests performed as per the surgeon’s advice.
• Adjusting the schedule of any prescription medications in consultation with the physician.
• Refraining from smoking for a certain period of time before the liposuction surgery, as stipulated by the surgeon.
• Completing any pressing household tasks well in advance, in order to minimize stress during the post-op recovery period.
• Arranging transportation to return home with a responsible person after the liposuction procedure.
• Arranging for aftercare, which could be a family member, friend or a professional nurse, for the first few days as needed.

Patients who follow the preparation process in a committed manner will improve their chances of a safe surgery and quicker and easier recovery.

Just before the Day of Surgery

Some surgeon’s may provide written instructions to help ensure that the patient knows the preparatory steps to follow just before the scheduled day of liposuction surgery. These steps may include:

• Take adequate rest and sleep well on the night before the liposuction surgery.
• Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours before the surgery.
• Avoid the use of alcohol for at least 48 hours prior to the surgery.
• On the day of the surgery, do not wear makeup, jewelry, body piercings, nail paint, or contact lenses.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes on way to the surgical center. Shorts or loose pants are preferable. The top should button in the front, if liposuction is required in the upper areas of the body.
• Diabetic patients should have their vital parameters reviewed on the morning of the surgery.

Patients commonly experience pre-operative stress and anxiety, which is normal. The surgeon may prescribe a calming medication to be taken the night before the surgery. The patient should keep pain medications, pillows, loose fitting clothes and other necessary items at home, and prepare for it in advance.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Consultation is the first important part of the liposuction surgery process. At this time, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of liposuction, including its risks and benefits. Pre- and post-operative preparation steps will be discussed. The cosmetic surgeon will also inform about the type of anesthesia, the type of surgical facility, and the cost estimate for liposuction.

Establishing of a concrete and cordial rapport between the patient and the surgeon is the key to a successful consultation. The patient feel free to share their needs, desires and concerns and ask questions related to the procedure. The surgeon will strive to provide accurate and detailed answers to the full satisfaction of the patient and help them make a well-considered decision.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities.

Health Review and Instructions

The consultation will involve a detailed review of the patient’s medical and surgical records, and a basic health exam to determine their overall health condition. The cosmetic surgeon will encourage the patient to share information about their lifestyle, particularly about habits such as smoking, drinking, or drugs. The patient will be required to stop smoking for a certain period before and after the surgery.

The patient will also have to share information about any drugs, whether prescription, over the counter, or recreational, and including herbal supplements and vitamins. It is critical to confide all such information in the surgeon transparently because it can significantly affect the outcome of liposuction surgery. If the patient has any doubts or concerns, they should feel free to ask the surgeon for clarifications during the consultation.

Developing Expectations

The surgeon will closely engage with the patient to understand their body contouring goals and expectations from liposuction. Based on this feedback, a customized liposuction plan will be prepared. The surgeon may provide the patient with liposuction before and after images to help them understand its potential effectiveness and develop reasonable expectations.

Patients should also review several photos from magazines and websites to describe to the surgeon about the kind of body profile they want. During the consultation, the surgeon will ask the patient about the specific bulges that they want to have removed. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.

Patient’s List of Questions

Most patients will have a variety of questions and doubts that they would like the surgeon to answer before they commit to liposuction surgery. They should preferably prepare a list of questions, which they can carry during the consultation to ensure that nothing pertinent is missed out.

The surgeon will clear all the doubts of the patient and help them to make an informed choice about the procedure. Testimonials of previous patients may be shared at this stage to enable the patient to know about their liposuction experience with the surgeon.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Innovations in surgical techniques have made liposuction a relatively less invasive procedure today. In many cases, the cosmetic surgeon may perform liposuction using only local anesthesia. However, if the surgeon has a strong sense of art and aesthetics, they can produce more sculpted outcomes that meet or exceed the patient’s aesthetic goals.

Patients should choose their liposuction surgeon after a careful review of their qualifications, experience and the type of liposuction techniques they offer. Dr. Landon McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing liposuction to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Combining Art and Science

Dr. McLain is uniquely qualified to perform liposuction. He received specialized training in arts at the undergraduate level, and went on to receive advanced surgical training and certifications as a cosmetic surgeon in the years ahead. He will remove just the right amount of fat tissue from targeted areas to create a balanced and proportionate figure, and adopt a holistic view rather than unilaterally focusing on fat reduction.

By combining the principles of science and art, Dr. McLain is able to produce more desirable and sculpted results with liposuction. He will ensure patient safety as the topmost priority and create sustainable, natural looking outcomes that are aesthetically appealing at the same time.

Liposuction Technique

Dr. McLain adopts a conservative approach to liposuction in order to achieve more effective results in a less invasive manner. He will perform the procedure using a micro-cannula, which is a tiny tube with a diameter of 2.5 mm or less. This helps him to ensure that fat deposits are sculpted precisely with minimal trauma to surrounding healthy tissue.

Dr. McLain’s goal is to minimize bleeding and enable a safer and faster recovery with reduced bruising. He will review the patient’s anatomical and personal aesthetic needs, and recommend the appropriate liposuction technique. He may perform tumescent liposuction, which only requires the use of local anesthesia. Tumescent technique will minimize bleeding, bruising and discomfort, and is more appropriate for areas such as the face, neck, arms, calves, and ankles.

Dr. McLain also offers Ultrasonic liposuction, which involves the use of a vibrating cannula that emits ultrasonic energy to liquefy stubborn fat cells. This allows him to suction out the liquefied fat in a less invasive way. He may use this technique to remove fat from areas of fibrous tissue such as the back and chest.

Authority in the Field

Dr. McLain is invited to deliver presentations and lectures around the country in the area of cosmetic surgery. He serves faculty for live surgical workshops sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). He helps to train cosmetic surgeons from different parts of the world.

Dr. McLain also serves as an examiner for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS). He has published numerous scientific papers and articles in the field of cosmetic surgery. He was a part of several philanthropic medical missions to Honduras and Peru. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Tummy tuck is a critical body contouring procedure designed to create a flatter and firmer abdomen in proportion to the rest of the body. The cosmetic surgeon will explain various aspects of the procedure during the initial consultation with an aim to help the patient make an informed decision. Some surgeons may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs during the first appointment.

Dr. Landon McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing cutting edge surgical and non-surgical procedures, including tummy tuck. Patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive tummy tuck surgery from Dr. McLain.

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Images?

Before and after images in case of tummy tuck refer to a pair or group of pictures belonging to an earlier patient who has undergone the same surgery with successful results. The photographs include pictures taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the swelling and bruising has been resolved and full effects of tummy tuck are visible.

The cosmetic surgeon will take care to obtain these images with the proper prior consent of the patient. The confidentiality of the patient will be maintained as per their request, and the photos will be presented before new patients in a discreet manner. The only purpose of the surgeon in this exercise is to help new patients understand the potential effectiveness of tummy tuck and make a well-considered choice.

Benefits

Tummy tuck is a substantially invasive and complex procedure. It is natural for a new patient to be apprehensive about undergoing the surgery. Most patients would like to know how their figure will improve after tummy tuck and whether it will meet their personal aesthetic needs. Some patients may need a full traditional tummy tuck, while some others may require a partial tummy tuck, or a combination of tummy tuck and liposuction.

In all such situations, the surgeon can use tummy tuck before and after photos as a visual aid to address the patient’s concerns, and help them make the best decisions. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

Keeping Reasonable Expectations

Best patient satisfaction levels in any cosmetic procedure are usually achieved when the patient has a positive state of mind, clear goals, and reasonable expectations. Therefore, many surgeons like to present tummy tuck before and after photos at the very first appointment.

The patient will know exactly what to expect and what not to expect from the results. This will help to avoid any potential misunderstandings or disappointments at a later stage.

Website Photos

The surgeon has the option to provide tummy tuck before and after photos on their practice website. With the growing influence of social media, surgeons may also consider providing these pictures through social media websites such as Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, and Facebook.

Digital technology is all the rage nowadays. It can used for pleasure, business, medical reasons, and so on. Well if you are considering a tummy tuck you should have all the information that is available to you. Website photos are crucial for many people since they allow you to see what you are considering. This is essential. Going into a surgery blind is not ideal; utilizing the resources available to you is sensible.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Tummy tuck, clinically called abdominoplasty, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to create a flatter and smoother abdomen by reducing excess skin and fat. At the time of pre-op consultation, the surgeon will talk about all aspects of tummy tuck, including its estimated costs. This will help the patient to review their treatment options and make a well-considered choice.

Dr. Landon McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing tummy tuck and various other aesthetic procedures. Patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive cutting edge treatments from Dr. McLain.

Price Factors

The cost of tummy tuck surgery can differ between two practices and sometimes even between two patients at the same practice. Several factors can impact the overall price tag of the procedure.

Practice Location

The average living costs will usually vary from one place to another, which will have an influence on the costs of most types of products and services. Major urban centers and prime cities along the coasts will generally have a higher cost of living than a smaller town in an interior region. Therefore, the costs of aesthetic services such as tummy tuck surgery will be impacted by where the practice is located.

Surgeon’s Fee

The fee of a cosmetic surgeon will usually be decided according to their expertise, training and experience in the area of tummy tuck surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) recommends that patients should choose the right surgeon for their needs, and consider elements such as the surgeon’s fee only as secondary factors.

Anesthesia and Operating Venue Costs

Tummy tuck surgery will usually be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse will charge a fee according to their skills and experience. Tummy tuck may be performed at a hospital, an accredited surgery center, or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits in each case will vary.

Extent of Surgery

Tummy tuck procedure may be performed using one of the several surgical techniques that involve varying degree of invasiveness. The monetary amount of the surgery may vary according to the type of technique and the length and complexity of the procedure. In some cases, tummy tuck surgery may be combined with other procedures such as liposuction, breast lift or some non-invasive treatments.

The practice may offer a package cost or a rebate in such cases. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck and various other procedures.

Insurance and Financing

The cost of tummy tuck will not be covered by insurance under normal circumstances because it is considered an elective procedure. However, the patient can get the procedure financed through professional medical care financing firms. These firms offer quick loan approvals, low interest rates and easy monthly installments of up to 60 months in many cases.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck, is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to improve abdominal contours and restore a more attractive body profile. Loose skin and fat from the abdominal area will be removed in this procedure. Sometimes the underlying abdominal muscles may also be tightened.

A number of tummy tuck surgery techniques can be used, depending on the patient’s specific anatomical and aesthetic needs. Dr. Landon McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon providing tummy tuck to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Candidacy

Any adult who is bothered by the uneven abdominal contours due to excess fat tissue, loose skin or sagging muscles may be a candidate for tummy tuck. The cosmetic surgeon will carefully evaluate the anatomy of the abdomen in relation to the rest of the body to determine the candidacy. The candidate should have a good general health, stable and moderate body weight, and realistic expectations to achieve satisfactory outcomes from tummy tuck.

Surgical Techniques

Traditional Tummy Tuck

This is a commonly performed tummy tuck surgery technique that will require a major incision from hip to hip. Additional minor incisions will be required around the navel. The entire abdominal area will be addressed, including repositioning the navel at a more youthful level. Most significant results can be achieved with this procedure.

Partial Tummy Tuck

For patients who want only marginal enhancement of the abdomen, a partial tummy tuck can be performed involving just a single, small incision. Subtle changes will be made to the lower abdominal area, while the upper abdomen will not be changed. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

Endoscopic Tummy Tuck

This advanced technique can be performed using small incisions. The surgeon will insert a tiny camera attached to an endoscope, which will enable the surgeon to view the underlying muscular structure of the abdomen on a screen. The surgeon can perform more accurate surgery in a less invasive way with targeted results.

Extended Tummy Tuck

Excess skin and fat from the abdominal area will be removed in this technique along with surgical reduction of the appearance of flanks on either side of the waist. Larger surface area can be addressed with this procedure than what can be achieved with a traditional abdominoplasty.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

Patients with a large amount of loose skin after a massive weight loss procedure can benefit from circumferential abdominoplasty. Fat removal is not a key part of this procedure, and the main goal of the surgeon is to enhance body contours through surgical excision of loose abdominal skin.

Recovery

Most patients will be able to return to their normal routine in about 10 to 14 days. Strenuous activities and lifting of heavy weights should be avoided for about one month. Results of tummy tuck will be established over several weeks and months as the swelling resolves completely.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Liposuction, just like any surgical procedure, involves a certain degree of risk. Risks can be minimized by choosing a fully trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon and following the surgeon’s pre- and post-operative instructions.

Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Landon McLain provides liposuction and other procedures to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

Potential Complications

Complications with liposuction surgery are rare, but the patient should have full information about these in order to make a well-considered decision. The complications may include:

• Infection
• Slow healing
• Poor reaction to anesthesia or medications
• Blood clotting
• Excessive loss of blood and fluids
• Accumulation of fluid beneath the skin
• Friction burns
• Visible scarring
• Numbness in the treated area
• Changes in skin pigmentation
• Damage to vital organs
• Damage to the nerves or skin

Extremely Rare Complications

Liposuction may lead to severe complications in extremely rare cases. These complications may include cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia, internal blood clots, excessive bleeding, severe drug interactions, allergic reactions to anesthesia or medication, permanent nerve damage, seizures, and brain damage from anesthesia. When the liposuction procedure is performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, the occurrence of such complications is usually highly unlikely.

Risks of Excessive Fat Removal

If the surgeon adopts an aggressive approach to remove an excessive amount of fat from targeted areas at once, or performs too much liposuction in a single day, it can pose a risk for the patient. This is one of the common risks associated with liposuction, particularly when the surgeon does not follow a conservative approach.

Excessive liposuction can lead to lumps, dents, and sagging skin. To minimize the risk of such complications and reduce the side effects of overexposure to anesthesia, liposuction should be performed in phases, with each phase scheduled several days apart. This may be recommended in a situation where patient is looking for larger amounts of fat removal from one or more areas.

How to Minimize Risks? 

As a first step, the patient should disclose full details about their current health condition, medications and supplements, and a complete medical history, including previous surgeries, if any. If the patient is a smoker, the fact should be disclosed clearly. The surgeon should assess carefully whether the patient makes a fit candidate for liposuction or not.

The surgeon should evaluate the age, body weight, overall health and fitness and lifestyle of the patient, and look at these facts in the light of the patient’s personal aesthetic goals and needs. Preparation constitutes an important part of risk minimization in liposuction. The patient should carefully adhere to the surgeon’s instructions for pre-operative care and post-operative recovery.

Less invasive liposuction techniques such as tumescent liposuction, which involves local anesthesia, or liposuction assisted by laser, ultrasound, or radio frequency techniques may be chosen to reduce risks. Non-surgical fat reduction alternatives may be explored where it is necessary to cut down the risks of surgery. Double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for liposuction.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here. Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.