Liposuction & SmartLipo in Bryn Mawr & Philadelphia, PA

Plastic Surgeon & Medical Spa Serving Bryn Mawr, Villanova & Communities Near The Main Line Of Philadelphia, PA

There are some areas of your body that are resistant to traditional weight loss methods such as diet and exercise. You’ve likely worked hard to reach your goal weight, but it’s difficult to enjoy your results if you still have a disproportionate figure. Body contouring options such as liposuction or SmartLipo (laser-assisted body contouring) can help you complete your transformation by getting rid of the unwanted areas of fat you haven’t been able to eliminate.

If you’re interested in body contouring with liposuction, please contact our office in Bryn Mawr today Text or Call to schedule your initial consultation. Main Line Plastic Surgery serves clients on the Main Line and surrounding communities including Philadelphia, South Jersey, Bala Cynwyd, and Chester County.

Dr. Raymond Jean offers both traditional liposuction and SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction) but finds that the laser-assisted technique typically yields better results with less recovery time needed.

Some important aspects to understand about liposuction include:

Traditional Liposuction vs. SmartLipo

Both forms of liposuction can address unwanted fat in the abdomen, sides, arms, flanks (love handles), thighs and men’s chest (gynecomastia). Traditional liposuction involves going under general anesthesia, meaning you won’t be awake during the procedure. A few very small incisions are made in the skin on the chosen area, and a thin, hollow tube (cannula) is inserted to vacuum or suction out fat cells. Dr. Jean sculpts the problem area and removes fat cells precisely.

After the fat cells are eliminated, a compression garment will be fitted to the area to decrease swelling so the treated area will better conform to your new body contour. Traditional lipo involves a longer recovery period than SmartLipo because of the longer duration of swelling and bruising. The majority of swelling usually resolves by 6 weeks, but you will continue to see improvements in results for up to six months.

SmartLipo also uses a cannula to remove unwanted fat, but prior to removal of the fat a laser is used to melt the fat and stimulate skin tightening. SmartLipo can be performed under local anesthesia in the office for most patients, which eliminates the need for going to sleep (general anesthesia).

See REAL-LIFE RESULTS of SmartLipo.

In most cases, Dr. Jean recommends SmartLipo, but if you’re considering combining your procedures with a tummy tuck or breast augmentation, traditional liposuction could be the best fit for you. Mommy makeovers are a popular combination of surgeries for women who are done having children and struggle with the side effects such as excess abdominal skin, unwanted fat, and sagging breasts. If you’d rather sleep through your procedure, traditional liposuction might be your best option as well.

Smart Lipo - Before & After

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SmartLipo c3 a1

During the procedure a laser fiber is used to melt the fat cells and to heat the deep layer of the skin, stimulating new collagen and elastin formation, which leads to 60% more skin tightening than traditional liposuction. The use of the laser also significantly reduces the amount of bleeding, swelling, and bruising while promoting skin tightening at the same time.

Once the laser portion of the smartlipo procedure is completed, the melted fat is removed using a smaller cannula than traditional lipo. You may see a better contour right after your SmartLipo, but improvement in appearance continues for 6 months.

There are many benefits to SmartLipo, such as:

  • Minimally-invasive procedure
  • FDA-approved for fat removal
  • Only local anesthesia is used to numb the area (no need to go to sleep as with general anesthesia)
  • Decreased bruising and swelling
  • More comfortable than traditional liposuction
  • can be performed in the office
  • Provides 60 percent more skin tightening than traditional liposuction
  • Quicker recovery: Most patients who have SmartLipo on a Friday can return to work on Monday.

Patient Testimonial

"The best! I never thought it was even possible for me to have a perfect flat stomach, buy he made it happen. Had barely any bruising, went to the gym 4 days later and 6 month now i barely see the incision marks. Can't wait to get my final post op pics to show them off! Also had my chest done, finally i have pectoral definition! So now my trainer at the gym gets all the credit and new clients because of my transformation. Thank you, Dr. Jean you are the real hero!" -AR

Candidates for Liposuction

Most healthy adults qualify for liposuction if they have a stable weight over time and still struggle with stubborn fatty areas, or have lost a substantial amount of weight and kept it off but still have areas with excess fat. During your consultation, Dr. Jean and our cosmetic specialist will discuss your ideal goals for your body contour, along with your medical history and current medications and supplements you take. You must be at least 18 years old and have realistic expectations for what we can accomplish through plastic surgery procedures.

dr jean patient consultation

Candidates for SmartLipo often live active lifestyles and opt for laser-assisted fat removal because it requires less downtime. SmartLipo is also great for removing a moderate amount of fat.

How to Prepare for Liposuction

The more you prepare for liposuction, the better you’ll feel during the recovery period. Dr. Jean will give you all the information and instructions before your procedure and answer any lingering questions.

You’ll need to stop smoking for at least six weeks before surgery. If you take prescription or over-the-counter medications that may thin your blood, you’ll need to stop these along with certain supplements for several weeks prior to your liposuction.

You can prepare your home for the recovery period by stocking your fridge with nutritious, ready-made meals and plenty of fluids. Some patients prefer to freeze cooked meals to make maintaining a healthy diet easier. Remember that your level of activity will likely be decreased for a period of time after liposuction, so your dietary intake should be decreased accordingly.

Those patients who see the best results from liposuction maintain or advance healthy eating and exercise after their liposuction procedure. You may also want help around the house so ask a friend or family member to help with household chores and watching small children.

We recommend you have Tylenol at home and fill any prescriptions we give you ahead of time, so you can go straight home after the procedure.

Recovering from Liposuction

The liposuction recovery process varies widely from the traditional method to the SmartLipo technique. For traditional liposuction, swelling and bruising is greater and can last longer than with SmartLipo. Discomfort in general will be greater after traditional liposuction vs. SmartLipo. It’s essential you follow all of Dr. Jean’s instructions to ensure a fast recovery with no complications.

Recovery from SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction) is much quicker than traditional liposuction. You’ll have a compression garment for the area which is worn 24/7 for 4-6 weeks after the procedure. This compression garment decreases swelling in the area of liposuction and is easily hidden under typical clothing. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within 48 hours. You’ll experience less swelling, bruising, and pain with SmartLipo because of the laser aspect of the procedure.

Regardless of which liposuction method you choose, you’ll need to drink plenty of water and follow a healthy diet. The fat cells removed are gone for good, but that doesn’t stop your remaining fat cells from growing bigger. Regular exercise and diet will help maintain and improve your results.

Financing Your Plastic Surgery

We will discuss the full cost of your liposuction surgery after you and Dr. Jean have determined which method, or which cosmetic surgery, will achieve your ideal body contour.

While we take cash, checks, and major credit and debit cards, we know these procedures are costly. We also accept CareCredit® financing, which is a personal line of credit used for healthcare treatments and surgeries. CareCredit offers different financing plans, making your plastic surgery affordable.

Why Choose Main Line Plastic Surgery

Dr. Jean and our experienced staff treat each patient as an individual. From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted by name and can relax in the spa-like atmosphere of the office. Our plastic surgeon takes the time to listen to you about your aesthetic concerns and the results you’d like to see in the mirror. He often asks patients to create a wish list of the body areas they’d like to treat if money was no object. We use that list to determine the most important part of your physique you’d like to address.

Each body is unique. By working closely with you to determine one or more procedures that will give you great results, we can customize your body contouring to suit you. Dr. Jean is also an expert in reconstructive surgery for children and adults who have been disfigured in car accidents or because of traumatic injuries. Treating these patients is very rewarding, and Dr. Jean believes that this experience gives him the extra edge to customize your plastic surgery.

Maintaining your liposuction results

Liposuction FAQs:

How to Choose a Plastic Surgeon for a Liposuction Procedure?

Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. This technique for removing unwanted fatty tissue is generally considered safe and effective. According to research, approximately 40 percent of the doctors who offer this procedure have no specific surgical training to do so. This is not illegal, but it can be detrimental. One way to choose the right surgeon for your liposuction procedure is to ask your primary doctor or people in your immediate social circle. You might also do research within organizations like the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Many board-certified plastic surgeons offer free consultation visits. This makes it easy for you to meet with two or more surgeons. During your plastic surgery consultation, ask questions like

  • "Where do you perform liposuction surgery?"
  • "What is the protocol for surgical complications? What hospital would I go to?"
  • Do you have malpractice insurance for liposuction?

Is Pain Associated with a Liposuction Treatment?

Liposuction is one of the most conservative plastic surgery procedures. Still, it is a surgical treatment. If you're interested in having liposuction to sculpt an area of your body, you should anticipate some post-surgical discomfort. Before your procedure, you will receive appropriate anesthesia as discussed during your consultation with Dr. Jean. Local, regional, and general anesthesia are all appropriate options to maintain your comfort. As it pertains to your liposuction procedure, pain is most likely to develop a day or two after your surgery. You may be prescribed pain medication depending on the nature of your surgery. If you have liposuction on a small area like the upper neck, you may not need prescription pain relief. You might need a stronger painkiller if your surgery is performed on a larger area. You can expect recovery and pain relief to be discussed during your pre-surgical visit.

What Makes an Ideal Candidate for Liposuction?

To be a good candidate for liposuction, regardless of volume, you should be in good health. At the most, a single liposuction procedure removes no more than five liters of fatty tissue. Discussion around your expectations is a critical part of your consultation. You are a good candidate for liposuction when you are in good health and when you understand the abilities and limitations of this common cosmetic technique. At your consultation visit, Dr. Jean will discuss your goals and will compare them to the condition of your skin. It's important to understand that fatty tissue affects the overall appearance of any area of the body. When we remove fatty tissue, we're removing the tissue that plumps overlying skin. Dr. Jean has many years of training and clinical practice that he calls upon to guide surgical planning. He will not recommend liposuction for you if you do not meet the criteria for optimal cosmetic results.

What Parts of the Body can Liposuction be Performed On?

Liposuction is an outstanding surgical technique that reduces unwanted fat on nearly any part of the body. Common liposuction areas include:

  • Face and neck
  • Upper arms
  • Abdomen
  • Flanks or hips
  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Calves
  • Ankles

Is Liposuction Covered by Insurance?

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgeries. Because its primary objective is to eliminate fatty tissue that causes unsightly bulges, liposuction is considered cosmetic. As an elective cosmetic procedure, liposuction is not covered by insurance. That said, financing options are usually available to make this body contouring procedure more accessible. Contact our office to learn more about your options!

How Long Should You Expect to Recover After a Liposuction Procedure? ‌

Liposuction recovery occurs in stages. After you return home from the surgical center, you can expect to need additional rest for three to five days. This can depend on several factors beyond the extent of your procedure, primarily your overall health. There is very little aftercare involved in liposuction recovery because your incision sites are only a few millimeters each. You may feel more tired than usual for a few days and you'll likely notice swelling and bruising. With rest, your post-operative side effects should resolve within one week. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!

Contact Us Today to Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation In Bryn Mawr, PA

If you’re interested in body contouring with SmartLipo (laser-assisted liposuction) or traditional liposuction, please contact Main Line Plastic Surgery online or Text or Call us in Bryn Mawr today to schedule your consultation. Dr Jean and his staff serve clients in eastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, The Main Line, Bala Cynwyd, Delaware County, Chester County, and South Jersey.

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