March 26, 2012
Interesting Expert of the Week, Liposuction Edition
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Of the more than 9 million cosmetic procedures that were performed in the United States in 2011, lipoplasty (liposuction) was the most frequently performed surgical procedure. So we called on Dr. Aaron Rollins of Elite Body Sculpture in Beverly Hills, Calif., to tell us more about it.
Rollins, a cosmetic surgeon specializing exclusively in liposuction, invented a pain-free technique for delivering anesthesia without needles, which reduces bruising and recovery time. He is considered a specialist in body sculpting and has performed thousands of laser liposuction procedures. A liposuction doctor to the stars, he has been featured on numerous media outlets, including “Good Morning America,” “Extra,” “Good Day LA,” and RTL and Nova TV in Europe.
Dr. Rollins, what’s the average recovery time for liposuction, and how does your “no pain” technique help minimize it?
Our average patient is back to work in 48 hours and can resume all of their usual activities within a week. That’s because Laser NIL liposuction, which is proprietary to my private practice, is considerably less invasive than other liposuction, even so-called advanced techniques. Our technology combines the new NIL (nutational infrasonic liposculpture) with the “smart lipo” laser. Laser NIL has no needle, scalpel or stitches, and our patients are fully awake (under local anesthesia), all of which minimizes bruising and accelerates healing.
What is the most common area that people want liposuction on?
The most common liposuction procedure is the full abdomen — the removal of excess fat from below and above the waistline. Typically, people – both men and women — find that it’s the most difficult area to slim down, even with sustained exercise and dieting. For women, the outer thigh, also known as “saddlebags,” is another common area for liposuction.
Is there a time of year that’s most popular?
Right now, spring is the most popular season. People are looking forward to warm summer months when, naturally, people wear less and more revealing clothes, and their physique is more exposed.
Do you do any kind of psychological evaluations? Do you ever recommend people not have the procedure?
I decline patients all the time for a variety of reasons. Some may have unrealistic expectations; others may have a full-blown eating disorder, such as anorexia. In some cases, the patient simply doesn’t have enough fat for liposuction to be effective. We want everyone to be happy with their results, and if we evaluate that they may have a problem with the results – for whatever reason – we’ll decline to do the procedure.
Any recent trends you’re seeing?
Women all want to have “skinny” arms. It’s the look du jour! Based on what my patients tell me, women are looking for Angelina Jolie’s “knife arms” for inspiration. Her arms are long and slender, and toned but not very defined. It’s the kind of arms you see on an experienced Yoga practitioner.
I have to admit, I’ve thought about lipo for some of my “problem areas.” What would you tell someone like me about the procedure?
I would tell you that huge advances have been made in liposuction technology, even in the last two years. This is not your mother’s liposuction! Most patients say our Laser NIL liposuction feels like a massage – there’s no pain. And as noted earlier, healing time is a matter of days, not weeks. Finally, compared to previous procedures, today’s is really affordable for almost everyone.
Any advice for those considering it?
Caveat emptor! I would advise anyone considering a liposuction procedure to still err on the side of caution. First and foremost, you want to seek a very experienced M.D., a doctor who has performed hundreds of liposuction procedures. Second, go to a doctor who specializes in liposuction. I always use this analogy with patients: If your house has a plumbing problem, you’ll hire a plumber, not a general contractor. That is to say, not all doctors who do liposuction are really specialists in the procedure. Liposuction is very easy to do poorly and very difficult to do well.
