Liposuction & Body Contouring

Liposuction

Ralph A. Massey, MD — Santa Monica & Encino, CA

Are you feeling fed up by that excess body fat, keeping you from achieving your ideal figure? If you’ve been struggling to get rid of fat through diet and exercise alone, it may be time to consider an option that’s sure to help eliminate that stubborn fat. Dr. Massey‘s expertise is what makes him among the best to perform liposuction in Los Angeles & Santa Monica residents can look forward to it. Tumescent liposuction surgery with Dr. Massey can help you rid your body of its stubborn fat and obtain a well-toned look that will redefine your image. Dr. Massey completed his fellowship in cosmetic surgery at Columbia University in New York

Before & Afters

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After

Lipo abdo & waist
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After

Lipo abdo & waist
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Liposuction of Abdomen

The Tumescent Liposuction Procedure

The tumescent liposuction technique is one of the most effective forms of cosmetic fat removal. This technique was developed to help make the surgical process easier on patients’ bodies. The procedure involves injecting a special fluid composed of lidocaine, epinephrine, and a large volume of extremely dilute local anesthetic into the area to be treated. This allows fat removal through tiny incisions that do not leave significantly visible scars. During the procedure, Dr. Massey will make use of a thin metal tube known as a cannula in combination with a high-pressure suction system to remove the excess fat in the treatment area. The tumescent liposuction method can effectively treat multiple areas of the body, including the neck, abdomen, arms, and buttocks. You can discuss your aesthetic goals with Dr. Massey to see if your specific area can be treated with liposuction.

Safely Remove Fat With Tumescent Liposuction

The Cosmetic Surgery Center of Santa Monica is a federally certified surgical center that adheres to the highest possible standards of safety and utilizes only the latest, state-of-the-art equipment. When performing any surgical procedure, Dr. Massey’s first priority is maintaining the utmost standards of safety. He has performed hundreds of liposuction surgeries for patients in the LA area and has delivered excellent results without any type of complication occurring.

What to Expect During Your Tumescent Liposuction Procedure?

Tumescent liposuction is performed without the use of general anesthesia. Patients are awake during this procedure but are made to feel extremely comfortable. You can listen to your favorite music and even talk to us during the entire surgical process. Best of all, patients don’t have to worry about the negative side effects of general anesthesia. If you require tough areas to be treated, you should consider power liposuction. This advanced method utilizes the same principles of tumescent liposuction but includes a mechanized cannula that is capable of treating the more fibrous tissues. This method allows us to give you stunning results while making your recovery faster and more efficient.

Ideal Candidates For Liposuction

Liposuction is a safe and effective procedure for those who desire a reduction in stubborn body fat and a slimmer bodily profile. The best candidates struggle with reducing stubborn fat and have areas of the body that disproportionately hold on to stubborn fat. It’s important to note that liposuction is primarily designed for those who have stubborn fat and not those who want to lose weight. Patients should have realistic expectations, and be ready to follow any instructions given throughout the entire process.

Cost of Liposuction in Los Angeles

The costs associated with liposuction can vary on a number of factors. As an experienced liposuction Los Angeles surgeon, Dr. Massey will meet with you in his Santa Monica office to discuss all options and pricing.

Contact Our Office

For 20 years, Dr. Massey has helped patients all over Los Angeles county achieve excellent results with safe and effective cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic liposuction has remained one of his favorite procedures, and he will gladly walk you through the entire process while answering any of the questions you have along the way. Many of Dr. Massey’s Los Angeles liposuction patients find their procedure benefits their lives. If you’re interested in beginning your journey to a better you, contact our office to schedule your consultation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tumescent Liposuction?

Until recently, procedures for body contouring through fat removal involved extensive operations. These resulted in large scars and significant safety risks. Several years ago, dermatologists developed tumescent liposuction. This allows fat removal through tiny incisions that do not leave significantly visible scars. A large volume of extremely dilute local anesthetic is infiltrated into the area to be treated. Then utilizing straw-like, extremely thin metal tubes (cannulas) and a high-pressure suction system, the fat cells are extracted through tiny incisions.
Is Tumescent Liposuction Safe?

Yes, very safe. For Dr. Massey safety is the first priority with any surgery. He has personally performed hundreds of liposuction surgeries, and none of his patients has had any type of serious complication. Indeed in a recent study of over 15,000 patients treated with tumescent liposuction, there was not a single serious complication. Furthermore, the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Santa Monica is a federally certified surgical center, adhering to the highest possible safety standards and using only the latest state-of-the-art equipment.
Is Tumescent Liposuction Painful?

No. Dr. Massey has perfected a technique of tumescent local anesthesia combined with minimal, carefully controlled sedation. With his technique patients are awake, listening to their favorite CD, or talking with us throughout the procedure. This method has allowed us to optimize patient safety by avoiding the risks associated with general anesthesia while keeping our patients totally comfortable. A further benefit is that our patients can freely move from side to side for us during the procedure and even stand up just before we do our final fine-tuning at the end of the procedure.
Power Liposuction

Power Liposuction is the latest advance in Tumescent Liposuction technology. It uses all the same principles of traditional tumescent liposuction but adds an oscillating or vibrating motion to the liposuction cannula. This gives a great mechanical advantage when treating particularly tough or fibrous areas such as the back of male chests while maintaining an excellent safety profile. The Cosmetic Surgery Center of Santa Monica is pleased to be one of the first centers able to offer this new technology to their patients.
Laser and Ultrasonic Liposuction

We have studied these systems carefully, but unfortunately, so far there is no good evidence that either laser-assisted or ultra sonic liposuction affords any true benefit to patients. However, they may carry an increased risk in the form of skin burns. As such we do not recommend these procedures at present but will continue to track the evolution of the technology, with the hope that better systems will be developed that allow for some real benefit and minimal risk.
Is Liposuction a Substitute for Weight Loss?

No. This technique is not meant for weight reduction or for the correction of generalized obesity. However, tumescent liposuction is a wonderful way to get rid of stubborn fatty areas and improve the overall contour of your body.
How Is Liposuction Useful?

For many people, stubborn fat isn’t easy to get rid of with diet and exercise alone. In such cases, a little extra help may be necessary to achieve the desired transformation. Liposuction can help eradicate stubborn fat to help achieve the desired bodily proportions. This versatile treatment can help address a number of common problem areas, including the flanks, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and hips.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for Liposuction?

The best candidates have distinct areas that are out of proportion with the rest of their bodies and are in good general health.
Are Men Good Candidates for Liposuction?

Yes. In general, men do very well with tumescent liposuction. They usually have good skin tone with well-defined localized areas that need treatment. As men tend to have a thicker dermis (the undersurface of the skin) and a more fibrous fatty layer, liposuction can be a little more difficult to perform. However, for the same reasons, in experienced hands, men often get the best results of all. While experience is important for all cosmetic surgery this is particularly true for liposuction in men where a different set of cannulas and a modified technique is needed to optimize results. Areas that we commonly treat in men include the neck and jowls, chest, abdomen, and love handles.
How Long Do The Results of Liposuction Last?

The results provided by liposuction will last as long as you take care of your body. Patients who practice a regular exercise routine and diet plan can maintain their bodies for years to come. However, those who fail to practice healthy lifestyle habits will find that their bodies will eventually accumulate excess fat.
What Areas can be Treated with Liposuction?

In men, the most common areas we treat are the neck and jowls, or a second chin, the chest, abdomen, and love handles. In women, the neck, abdomen, waist, hips, and thighs tend to be the main areas of concern although upper arms, buttocks, knees, and even ankles are also treated.
How To Prepare For The Surgery?

There are a few pre-operative instructions that you must follow before the procedure to experience the best results. These instructions will include avoiding smoking, drinking, and certain medications such as blood thinners and aspirin. You should also make arrangements with a close friend or family member to help drive you home after the surgery is completed. He or she can assist you with post-surgical care as well. Finally, there can be a period where no food or drink should be consumed on the day the procedure is performed. That is usually about twelve hours before the appointment time.
What Happens After The Liposuction?

You may feel mild discomfort after the procedure and there can be some swelling, redness, and bruising. These symptoms are temporary and can be managed with prescribed medication. Dr. Massey may instruct you to put on a compression garment to promote healing and reduce swelling. Depending on the extent of the treatment, swelling will typically start reducing after one to two weeks.