BODY ENHANCEMENTS

LIPOSUCTION GLOSSARY

The following definitions have been added to michellehardawaymd.com in order to help you better understand our procedures and treatments. Please contact us today you have any questions and/or to schedule you confidential consultation.

• Abdominoplasty - abdomen (tummy) + plasty (to change, shape or mole). See tummy tuck.
• Aspirate –As used in liposuction, aspirate means to suction fat and fluids. Fat and fluids are suctioned from the body and passed into the cannula, hose or collection apparatus.
• Cannula - the hand-held instrument that is moved by the surgeon partly inside the patient to remove fat
• Cellulite - a commonly used term that describes the soft, rolling/pocketings in skin that usually occur on the thighs and buttocks. It is believed that cellulite is caused by a tethering of the fibrous connections from the deep fat and fascia attaching to the underside of the dermis (leather layer of the skin). Cellulite may or may not be improved by liposuction.
• Dermis - The layer of the skin that lies just below the epidermis on most of the body. It is largely made up of collagen (fibrous or connective) tissue. The dermis, as a layer, makes up the bulk of the skin and is usually thickest on the back and the back of the neck.
• Endodermologie - a non-surgical vacuuming technique developed in France. It is commonly described as a “vacuum with rollers”. No fat is removed and you should not lose any weight as a result of endodermologie alone. Endodermologie is a non-invasive procedures that gently pulls on the surface of the skin. The vacuum likely pulls on the tethers and loosens or stretches them.
• Fat - When referring to the skin only, fat is stored in cells and usually makes up the bulk of the subcutaneous layer. Liposuction is performed only on this layer of the skin.
  Large Volume Liposuction - volume or weight are used to measure the amount of fat removed. It is commonly agreed that 10 liters of fat or more is large volume liposuction.
• Lipo - root word meaning "fat".
• Lipoplasty – another term for liposuction.
• Liposuction – A procedure to remove fat performed by cannulas through entrance wounds in the patient's skin. Fat is removed through the cannulas into a container by the power of a vacuum pump (aspirator).
• Liposculpture – another term for liposuction.
• Tummy Tuck –(Abdominoplasty) – This surgery of the tummy tuck involves cutting and drawing together with stitches or staples the layers of the stomach or (tummy), skin, subcutaneous fat, and/or muscle. A tummy tuck may only involve skin and fat or may include cutting and tightening the muscle.
  Tumescent Liposuction (Klein Solution and Method - a special formula of sterile dilute salt water, adrenaline, lidocaine and bicarbonate. It is reported that bleeding, pain and complications are reduced.
  Ultrasonic Liposuction - is a type of liposuction in which high frequency vibrations created by an ultrasound generator shake a special liposuction cannula. The vibrating tip actually shakes fat cells from their attachments thereby, releasing fat and oil into the area surrounding the ultrasonic cannula tip into which they are removed.