Liposuction

Serving Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County & Nearby Areas of Tennessee

Liposuction is one of the most common body contouring procedures performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dean Kleto. Liposuction can be used to safely remove excess fat from targeted areas of your body if you have stubborn deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. It can give you a more toned, attractive body contour and help restore your self-confidence and body image.

Dr. Kleto can discuss your candidacy and answer all of your questions about liposuction during your initial consultation.

Dr. Kleto serves Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County, and nearby areas of Tennessee. Call 865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation.

This page covers numerous topics related to liposuction, including:

What Areas Can I Get Liposuction?

Liposuction can be used on almost any area of your body. Commonly, liposuction is used on areas including:

During your initial consultation with Dr. Kleto, he will carefully evaluate your body and listen closely to your concerns. Together, you can determine what areas would benefit most from liposuction, and work to achieve the body you have always wanted.

Cellulite, wrinkles, and dimples cannot be removed with liposuction. Liposuction is used to remove deep layers of fat, which can actually cause superficial layers of cellulite to become more obvious. Dr. Kleto can discuss this with you during your initial consultation.

What are the Benefits of Liposuction?

Men and women who choose to undergo liposuction from Dr. Kleto often find that the procedure changes their lives. You'll reap benefits, including:

  • A better-balanced and more proportional figure
  • A more toned and defined body
  • Improved appearance in swimsuits and tight clothing
  • Increased self-confidence

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?

Generally speaking, the best liposuction candidates meet the following qualifications:

  • In strong overall health
  • Already at (or close to) their ideal weight
  • Non-smokers (or willing to quit before the procedure)
  • Good skin elasticity
  • Realistic expectations

One of the most common misconceptions about liposuction is that it is a weight loss procedure. This is not true. It is not safe to remove large volumes of fat through liposuction. Instead, this procedure targets small pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise efforts, improving the contours of your body in order to enhance the figure you have worked hard to achieve.

Who is Not a Good Liposuction Candidate?

If you have a large amount of loose, excess skin in the stomach region, liposuction might not be right for you. A tummy tuck is usually recommended in order to remove hanging skin and tighten the remaining skin in the abdominal area. Additionally, if you are still overweight, you will need to wait until you have reached (or are close to) your target weight before undergoing liposuction.

Smokers will need to quit before the procedure and continue abstaining throughout the recovery process, since smoking can seriously interfere your body’s ability to heal and heighten your risk of surgical complications.

How is Liposuction Surgery Performed?

up close cross section of fat underneath skin being removed by liposuction

The procedure for liposuction is relatively simple. Dr. Kleto will make a small incision in the area being treated through which excess fat can be removed. There are various methods Dr. Kleto may employ to assist in the breaking up of fat deposits. This will be determined on a patient by patient basis.

The area of treatment is injected with saline solution containing medication that numbs and constricts blood vessels. Then, Dr. Kleto will insert a thin tube called a cannula into the incision and use it to suck out the fat. Fat is removed a little at a time to control the contour and shape desired.

Once sufficient fat has been removed, Dr. Kleto will suture the incision, and provide you with compression garments to be worn during the recovery phase.

What is the Recovery from Liposuction Surgery?

Recovery from liposuction is generally rapid. You should be able to return to work within a few days, and resume most normal activities within a few short weeks. Dr. Kleto will work with you during this time to assist with any swelling or pain you may experience, and also to let you know when it is safe to resume all of your normal activities.

There may be some bruising following liposuction. However, the medication injected into the fatty layer and compression garments after surgery can help minimize the bruising and swelling.

Dr. Kleto will supply you with compression garments to wear following your procedure. Wearing these garments will assist in keeping swelling down, and also in helping your skin conform to its new contour.

During the recovery period, you should continue to wear your compression garments. These will help reduce swelling and assist your body in maintaining its new contour and slimmer shape. In addition to compression garments, physical activities such as walking will help reduce swelling and discomfort.

To improve and maintain the look you achieve with liposuction, Dr. Kleto recommends adopting a healthy lifestyle. Getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy diet will be very beneficial in extending the results of your procedure. It is also advised that you do not smoke, either during your recovery process or once you have healed. Smoking can make recovery more difficult and can lead to an inactive lifestyle.

Exercise After Liposuction

Although you should take it easy after liposuction, Dr. Kleto encourages his patients to begin light walking as soon as they can. This helps facilitate blood flow to the treatment area to stimulate healing, and it reduces the chance of a blood clot forming. After about a week, you'll be able to increase your activity level. You should be able to resume your routine after about two weeks.

You'll probably want to start exercising again as soon as you can to maintain your results. However, it's essential to be patient during this period. You'll need to avoid strenuous exercise for about 4-6 weeks following your procedure. Dr. Kleto will let you know when it's safe to fully resume your workout routine.

While regular exercise is critical to maintaining your liposuction results, not rushing back into strenuous activity too soon is equally vital.

What Results Can I Expect from a Liposuction Procedure?

Your results will become more and more apparent as your swelling decreases. You should see your ultimate body contour about 3-4 months after your procedure.

Fat, once removed, cannot come back. This does not mean that new fat cannot accumulate. To help extend the results of your liposuction, you should lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes getting at least two hours of vigorous exercise a week and eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

If you do gain weight after your procedure because you failed to live a healthy lifestyle, the weight you gain will not be distributed evenly throughout your figure. You may gain it in unexpected areas, leading to a loss of the balance and proportion you achieved through liposuction.

Schedule Your Knoxville Liposuction Consultation Today

Dr. Kleto has more than 25 years of experience helping his patients attain their ideal body contours. He operates in a safe, friendly environment and is committed to making you comfortable while he delivers natural-looking results.

When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Kleto will meet with you personally. He is devoted to being involved in every aspect of your treatment and wants to give you the attention and respect you deserve. Dr. Kleto will listen attentively to your goals, needs, and concerns. He will also leave time for you to ask questions as you familiarize yourself with the procedure.

Dr. Kleto serves Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County, and nearby areas of Tennessee. Call  865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation.

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