Julie Khanna, MD, FRCSC
Director of Plastic Surgery

What is it?

Liposuction is a procedure which resculpts the body, removing collections of fatty tissue and smoothing out lumpy pockets of fat. Historically, liposuction is used to de-bulk a stubborn area of fat that is not eliminated solely by healthy diet and exercise. Many different areas can be resculpted with liposuction including the hips, buttocks, abdomen, love handles, back, knees, legs, neck and under the chin (submental liposuction).

Definition and Hi-Definition Liposuction are cutting edge procedures that achieve more detail than traditional liposuction; Definition focuses on creating an overall shaping to the silhouette, while Hi-Definition strives to actually carve and etch out the muscular details of the arms, abdomen, back, chest and thighs while also focusing on the contour and curve of the breasts, shoulders, and buttocks. It truly is an art!

Definition Liposuction

Definition Liposuction is an advanced method for surgical fat removal. Here, we move the suction cannula symmetrically with a fast-vibrational mode. The treatment is performed in combination with suction vacuum to gently and meticulously remove fat tissue. This technique has its specific advantages for patient and doctor alike. Its patient benefits include:

• Increased patient comfort from gentle vibration
• The patient reviews body markings with the Dr. Khanna prior to surgery for symmetry verification and abdominal etching
• Dynamic outcomes are visible for Patient inspection after a few weeks with final result at one year
• Improved skin tightening
• Homogeneous and gentle fat removal.
• Requires less effort and force for cannula movement which allows greater precision

Tumescence local anesthesia (TLA) with Definition Liposuction

During a local tumescence anesthesia (TLA) procedure, an anesthetic strongly diluted within a salt solution is infused directly into the patient’s tissue. Though the procedure is done under general anaesthesia, The Definition Liposuction technique has major advantages with any treatment that requires infused local anesthesia, like liposuction or other applications of surgery.

High Definition (Vaser) Liposuction

High Definition Liposuction is a revolutionary procedure which takes the idea of traditional liposuction and turns it into an art form.  By using a thorough knowledge of the human anatomy, Dr. Khanna removes only select areas of fat deposits and repositions fat cells where more volume is required.  She can precisely sculpt your fat tissue to deliver the chiseled look you’ve always sought with diet and exercise.

What distinguishes High Definition Liposuction from Definition Liposuction is the greater ability to enhance the contours of your muscles.  Dr. Khanna starts by marking the body areas you want to appear more toned and sculpted. Everyone has a unique anatomy so treatment must be tailored to fit each patient.  Dr. Khanna must visualize how each component of the body will look at all angles while in motion like walking or running.  The procedure requires attention to critical details and surgical precision.

Depending on the size and number of treatment areas, the High Definition Liposuction can take up to four hours. Postoperative activity limitations to give your body time to heal apply to this form of liposuction and will be reviewed with you by the Dr. Khanna and the surgical team.

Like the best sculptures and works of art, your newly defined figure should be brought to life using precise and sophisticated tools. Liposuction is already one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world because of its remarkable ability to sculpt the body, but Vaser Lipo takes that one step further by using ultrasound energy to make fat extraction smoother and safer than it already is. Inserting a probe into the treatment area, Vaser Lipo delivers sound energy that gently breaks up the fat, allowing easy extraction from the body without disturbing other tissues. The result? An easier, faster recovery and more predictable results.

Is it Right For Me?

Liposuction is not a weight loss solution. All liposuction procedures are most successful when performed on an individual that is within their normal BMI and live a healthy and active lifestyle. Because Definition and High-Definition Liposuction addresses those fine muscle details, the result is dependent on maintaining a stable weight in the long term after the procedure. Liposuction is not well suited for eliminating cellulite or to correct loose skin. In fact, patients with healthy, elastic skin are the best candidates for the liposuction procedure. If your skin has lost much of its elasticity, you may benefit from a skin tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift – buttock lift, or arm lift.

What to Expect

Liposuction is performed in our fully accredited Oakville clinic under local anaesthesia with sedation, or under general anaesthesia depending on the amount of correction required. The most common method of performing liposuction is the tumescent technique. With this approach, a large amount of anaesthetic solution is injected into the areas to be treated. The liquid causes the compartments of fat to become firm or tense, allowing the liposuction cannula to move smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed. Patients are left with very small incision areas which look as though a small mole has been removed. These will also fade significantly over time.

As with any surgery, there is a period of downtime and some limitations suggested to give your body time to heal. Avoiding heavy lifting and exercise for 4-6 weeks is advised. Bruising and swelling post procedure is normal and can take a few weeks to subside. A support garment is also worn for comfort and protection in the initial healing phase. Dr. Khanna and her team will guide you through your surgical journey every step of the way to help ensure a safe and positive experience.

To find out if liposuction is right for you, please contact our knowledgeable staff at our Oakville office, between Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, Dr. Julie Khanna is able to provide her patients with all of the information that they will need to make the most informed decision.