FEMALE ABDOMEN

This are is the most requested are for treatment and most commonly performed.VASER®and Smartlipo® are not treatments for obesity.

This is not the individual work of Dr Bea Brookes but are typical examples of results obtained. Most of these patients shown are from the USA.

Assessment;

 Medical fitness
 Where is the fat ?
 What is the quality of the skin like?

Before embarking and after establishing medical suitability the position of the fat is essential.
If the fat is intra-abdominal i.e. within the abdominal cavity, below the muscles and around the organs it will not be suitable for any cosmetic treatment

We would recommend  6- 12 weeks of changing your eating habits sensibly by following the principles of the GI Diet- please ask for a sheet. Intra-abdominal fat is associated with heart disease and diabetes so should be taken seriously.Dr Bea Brookes can advice on the principles of the GI diet.

If the muscle is lax and protrudes, you will need exercise.

If the fat is in front of the muscle then you may be suitable for a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment

Upper Abdominal fat  reduction

The area above the umbilicus and below the rib cage is often much denser and can look dimply with cellulite. If you have more than two fists full of fat here we would recommend VASER lipo-selection with suction. The area under the rib cage can be sculpted to give a defined look in patient with localized fatty deposits.

Lower abdomen fat reduction

The fat here is often softer and responds more readily to treatment. Fat volume of less than 2 fists full can be treated with Smartlipo with suction or with VASER. With both procedures the fat is sucked out. It is likely more patients are suitable for VASER than Smartlipo. If you are already slim and the area is small and well defined the laser may be a better option with less down time

This is not the individual work of Dr Bea Brookes but are typical examples of results obtained. Most of these patients shown are from the USA.

Skin Elasticity

Lax skin is seen after childbirth or weight loss and may be crepy or have obvious stretch marks.

One of the special features of VASER is the skin restriction that occurs after the fat is evauated. Even if there is moderate stretch marking with small overhangs (less than 5 cm) the skin may restrict quite well and in some cases full reduce. It is essential to wear the garment continually and for unto 12 weeks if there is skin laxity as the garment is a fundamental part of supporting the skin to allow retraction after VASER. Skin retraction is superior with VASER than Smartlipo and this is based on direct observation by Dr Bea Brookes.

If there is little fat and only some loose skin , ACCENT RF may be the best treatment if you do not wish to have surgery.

This are is the most requested area of treatment and most commonly performed.
The full abdomen with love handles is the most popular male lipo-reduction treatment. Male fat usually respond less well than females fat to Smartlipo and for nearly all men VASER is a superior treatment option

VASER® and Smartlipo® are not treatments for obesity.

Assessment;

 Medical fitness
 Where is the fat ?
 What is the quality of the skin like?

Before embarking and after establishing medical suitability the position of the fat is essential.
If the fat is intra-abdominal i.e. within the abdominal cavity, below the muscles and around the organs it will not be suitable for any cosmetic treatment

We would recommend  6- 12 weeks of changing your eating habits sensibly by following the principles of the GI Diet- please ask for a sheet. Intra-abdominal fat is associated with heart disease and diabetes so should be taken seriously. Dr Bea Brookes can advice on the principles of the GI diet.

If the muscle is lax and protrudes, you will need exercise.

If the fat is in front of the muscle then you may be suitable for a minimally invasive cosmetic treatment

Upper Abdominal fat  reduction

The area above the umbilicus and below the rib cage is often much denser and can look dimply with cellulite. If you have more than two fists full of fat here we would recommend VASER lipo-selection with suction. The area under the rib cage can be sculpted to give a defined look in patient with localized fatty deposits.

Lower abdomen fat reduction

The fat here is often softer and responds more readily to treatment. Fat volume of less than 2 fists full can be treated with Smartlipo with suction or with VASER. With both procedures the fat is sucked out. It is likely more patients are suitable for VASER than Smartlipo. If you are already slim and the area is small and well defined the laser may be a better option with less down time

Full abdomen

Providing there is about  750mls- 1.5 litres of fat maximum for aspiration,  quite a moderate sized are of fat can be removed in one sitting. Normally for men and women  treating the full abdomen is recommended, so as to not create a shelf of fat between the two halves

Incisions

 2-4 small incisions  ( a few millimetres) at the outer edge of the fat and maybe one in the pubic area are made

Skin Elasticity

Lax skin is seen after weight loss and may be crepy or have obvious stretch marks
One of the special features of VASER is the skin restriction that occurs after the fat is evacuated. Even if there is moderate stretch marking with small overhangs (less than 5 cm) the skin may restrict quite well and in some cases full reduce. It is essential to wear the garment continually and for unto 12 weeks if there is skin laxity as the garment is a fundamental part of supporting the skin to allow retraction after VASER. Skin retraction is superior with VASER than Smartlipo and this is based on direct observation by Dr Bea Brookes.

If there is little fat and only some loose skin , ACCENT RF may be the best treatment if you do not wish to have surgery.

What can go wrong with lipo-reduction

VASER is a safe procedure but some problems occur commonly. In 2 % of cases pts have a seroma i.e collection of fatty fluid, in the abdomen this is most likely to occur around the belly button ( umbilicus). Bruising is usual but with VASER can be remarkably little.

How long does it take?

A full abdomen takes about 60- 75 minutes from the point of starting

edure for a single are is usually under one hour form the time you go into theatre.

This area can be treated alone or on some cases with the abdomen. – providing it is safe to do so in one sitting. Men in particular are prone to gaining weight here.
This are can stick out over the tops of trousers and skirts and give an unflattering silhouette that looks bulky

If this area is very prone to gaining weight in particular  you may benefit from  being on the GI diet for 6- 12 weeks, depending on your proportions.
The diet can be started before and continued after the procedure

Please read the section on the abdomen.

Vaser is a superior treatment here to Smartlipo in most patients as the tissue can be quite fibrous. The VASER probes have different concentrations of ultrasonic energy and can fragment fatty tissue more rapidly and easily here.

The procedure is usually carried out on your side, but if the fat is further towards the back, you may be asked to lie prone (on your tummy). One or two small inciosn on each side are needed.

Each side takes about 30 -40 minutes.

This is not the individual work of Dr Bea Brookes but are typical examples of results obtained. Most of these patients shown are from the USA.

Some of these procedures may have need a general anaesthetic and been performed in more than one sitting.

The “muffin top syndrome” has become more noticeable since the advent of the lower dropped waist trousers. The muffin protrudes over the top (a little like the muffins in cup cakes!) of waist band of jeans and trousers. A sleeker silhouette is associated with a more youthful figure

Women almost exclusively are prone to putting weight on in this area.

This area does not laser well and Smartlipo® is not suitable to treat this area. The area is too fibrous for Accent RF.

VASER Lip selection® is the treatment of choice for this area. The whole of this area can be re-sculpted and make a significant difference to the appearance of tightly fitting clothes. The VASER is able to penetrate the fibrous tissue well. Even with stretch-marks this are retracts well with the wearing of a corset

The procedure takes about 30-40 mins per side and is performed with the patient lying on their side. Sometime significant amounts of fat can be removed
 About 1-2 incisions are needed preside. These are only 2-3 mm in length

The saddlebag is the beign of many women- (never men!). Even slender women who may be a natural size 8-10 (UK) may be bothered by saddlebags resulting in having to change the cut of their trousers or having to upsize to accommodate them. Saddlebags can run as a female family trait and even extreme weight loss may not result in any reduction in their size- as many women have found out. If you already have a slim waist, and the saddlebag bothers you, you most likely fit into this category.

In many ways the saddlebag is very satisfying to treat as the contours can be so noticeable changed and sometimes allowing a dress size to be dropped (please note this is not always possible or necessarily a measure of a successful out comes).

 Soft smaller saddlebags can be nicely treated with Smartlipo® with suction.

Larger saddlebags can be very, very fibrous and will not laser at all. VASER® is the only option. Often if the saddlebag has been there since adolescence the area is more fibrous.
The procedure is carried out with the patient lying on their side with 1-2 small incisions per side. It can be uncomfortable if the saddlebag is very dense and fibrous. A very snug garment for several weeks is essential.

This procedure is only ever requested by women. The main consideration is whether it is fatty tissue or skin laxity causing the problem. In some cases it may be both. Many women are keen to have a gap between the legs when the knees touch, and this too is a popular procedure

This procedure can be perfofemed foe functional reasons in a large leg where the thighs rub together causing mobility problems. (This procedure could be considered in obese patient if the patient is fit enough)
For most women it is to remove a modest amount of fat and contours the leg giving it more definition. As the fat is quite soft here, Smartlipo® may be a good option.

If more than 2 fist-fulls of fat are to be treated on each side, the VASER® is a better option

1-2 small incision on the inside of the thigh is made. Careful contouring is needed to ensure evenness of both legs. Often the middle part of the thigh can have cellulite deposits and the tissue is more fibrous...

Carrying a residual fatty deposits on the inner knee can be seen in many women even very slim ones and adds bulk to the knee. As a result many of these women are unhappy to wear short skirts or tight fitting trousers.

This area does really laser very nicely and with suction can be contoured very well with Smartlipo. A small half- fist full when removed can make a significant difference to the shape of the leg in opaque tights and “skinny jeans”

If the knee is globally heavy VASER may be better

The area above the knee cap is harder to do and runs the risk of causing loose, crêpe skin, so must be carefully considered. 1-2 small incisions in either Smartlipo or VASER are needed.

Depending on the size each knee takes about 20-30 minutes to treat.

Once again this procedure can be carried out for bulky knees carrying excess weight, as treatment and de-bulking can help with function and mobility.

A double chin and jowls can be treated in many ways. Smartlipo and VASER may be options on the list, but please consider all options discussed with you at consultation. This area is complex and careful option consideration after proper examination is needed. For some patients only full surgery may be effective

In the chin and neck, loose skin may be a definite consideration and Dr Brookes may recommend Accent RF for a primary treatment. In other patients Accent RF can be an adjunct after the main treatment

Smaller chins and sagging necks may do well with Smartlipo Laserlipolysis

Larger necks may need the VASER. “ tiny incisions  are made under the chin and are invisible after healing

With VASER a garment must be worn continuously for 1 week after and 2- 4 weeks after that for 12 hours per day. Skin retraction can be very impressive with Vaser but this compression of the garment is fundamental to this...

These techniques are probably the most uncomfortable for the patient who may be aware of pressure in the region of the neck around the face whilst the procedure occurs.

The VASER emits a quiet drilling notice which you may find mildly alarming. Dr Brookes will discuss this with you

If you want to find out more about Viridian's Ultrasonic Liposuction® treatments or book an advanced consultation then call or email us to arrange an appointment.

Ultrasonic Liposuction® consultancies can take place in our Guildford & Windsors centres whilst the treatment itself will happen our fully HCC registered clinic in Hayward's Heath and so are ideally placed for patients in London, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, Sussex & Berkshire.