For many people pursuing a healthy lifestyle, achieving a proportionate, contoured body is a major goal. However, stubborn fat can sometimes linger despite your best efforts with diet and exercise.
Why choose Diehl Plastic Surgery in Raleigh? With expert care and advanced techniques, Dr. Cynthia Diehl offers tailored solutions to help you reach your body contouring goals.
To learn more about body contouring, contact Diehl Plastic Surgery at (919) 381-5540 to schedule your personal consultation for liposuction in Raleigh.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, or neck. Using a suction technique, a surgeon breaks up and extracts the fat to improve body contours and proportions.
It’s not a weight-loss solution but rather a method to target stubborn fat pockets that don’t respond to diet or exercise.
Dr. Diehl interviewed about SmartLipo on WRAL
Meet Dr. Diehl
Dr. Diehl is driven by the desire to better the lives of her patients. Dr. Diehl is one of the few female and Spanish-speaking plastic surgeons in Raleigh.
She is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and was previously certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Diehl is trained in cosmetic facial, breast, and body procedures, including SmartLipo MPX, an FDA approved laser liposuction technology.
She also provides non-surgical cosmetic treatments including CoolSculpting®, Thermi®, miraDry®, and injectables to patients in Raleigh and the surrounding area.
The Vented Diehl Cannula: A Liposuction Tool Named After Dr. Diehl For Her Help In The Design
- Vented Cannula with simple fenestration at thumb rest for control of aspiration
- Can help prevent over-suctioning areas
- Reduces time by avoiding removal of cannula for venting
When the doctor has more control and can work faster, the patient’s chances of having the best possible outcome are increased.
The Vented Diehl Cannula is available from Black and Black Surgical.
Liposuction Treatment Areas
Liposuction is a versatile and highly effective body contouring technique that is commonly performed on the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Chin/neck
- Inner and outer thighs
- Arms
- Chest
- Flanks and back
- Bra fat area
- Knees
Diehl Plastic Surgery offers both traditional/tumescent liposuction, SAFELipo, and laser liposuction (Smart Lipo) to suit your needs and preferences. It is very important to evaluate each patient and use the technique that will give them the best result and most effective treatment.
Everyone deserves to look and feel their best – with liposuction, you can attain a slim, toned figure that allows you to feel carefree and confident about your body.
Liposuction Before and After Photos
Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most powerful body contouring techniques available. Whether you’d like subtle results or a dramatic transformation, this procedure can be completely customized to your preferences. Those seeking liposuction in Raleigh can expect the following benefits from this procedure:
- Targeted fat removal and spot reduction
- Permanent results
- Eliminates fat that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise
- Sculpts the body for a more lean, toned shape
- Can be performed virtually anywhere on the body
- Can frequently be done under local anesthesia only
Types of Liposuction: What to expect
Diehl Plastic Surgery offers traditional tumescent liposuction, SmartLipo, and SAFE lipo. The right technique for you ultimately depends on your evaluation and cosmetic goals. All of these liposuction techniques can be done under local or general anesthesia. The majority of the patients prefer local anesthesia for safety and cost reasons.
Before a Smart Lipo treatment, the area is numbed with local anesthesia and injected with tumescent fluid. Then a thin, laser fiber is inserted under the skin through the same incisions used for the tumescent fluid. As Dr. Diehl passes the fiber in and out of your tissue, the laser liquefies fat cells, tightens tissue, and cauterized blood vessels. The liquefied fat is then suctioned out, resulting in a slimmer figure.
Smart Lipo typically produces less downtime than traditional liposuction. This is because the laser helps to cauterize blood vessels, so there is less swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Smart Lipo also has skin tightening effects, and it is an excellent option for those who have concerns about decreased skin elasticity.
Tumescent liposuction may be done under local or general anesthesia and begins with injecting the treatment area with a solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine. This numbs the area, shrinks blood vessels, and causes the compartments of fat to swell up so they can be removed easily with minimal bleeding. Through a series of small incisions, Dr. Diehl will then insert a cannula (stainless steel instrument) attached to a suction device.
With every pass of the cannula, Dr. Diehl will gently suction out excess fat and create a smoother, slimmer body contour. For truly natural-looking results, this important step requires a great deal of artistic insight. Accordingly, Dr. Diehl makes sure that all enhancements are made with respect to your natural proportions and the shape of your body.
SAFELipo is a liposuction technique that utilizes a “basket cannula” to break up dense, fibrous areas of fat. SAFE is an acronym for Separation / Aspiration / and Fat Equalization. Dr. Diehl frequently finds that this specialized cannula allows her to more effectively remove fat from certain areas. There is a debulking and tightening advantage to any liposuction as the body forms scar tissue internally.
To learn more about body contouring, contact Diehl Plastic Surgery at (919) 381-5540 to schedule your personal consultation for liposuction in Raleigh.
Pro-Nox for Superior Comfort During Aesthetic Procedures
Dr. Diehl uses Pro-Nox, a balanced mixture of 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide, to provide relief from both physical discomfort and anxiety during SmartLipo. Unlike conventional anesthesia, which is administered intravenously, Pro-Nox is administered via inhalation. This unique delivery system provides many advantages for patients at our plastic surgery practice.
Nitrous oxide, the active ingredient in Pro-Nox, relieves pain and anxiety by acting on areas of the brain associated with feelings of calm and pleasure. Nitrous oxide increases GABA receptor activity, prompting feelings of deep relaxation. It also stimulates the release of endogenous opioids, which suppress pain and promote feelings of happiness. Unlike oral opioid medications, however, nitrous oxide is non-addictive and lacks dangerous side-effects.
Liposuction Recovery Time
The first three days
Your surgeon will provide you with a compression garment or elastic bandages to wrap around the treated areas. It’s crucial to wear these consistently, as they help reduce swelling and shape your body to its new contours.
You may also have small drains placed at the surgical sites to prevent fluid buildup around the incisions, which can hinder healing. If drains are used, your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on how to care for them and how long they will need to remain in place.
In the first few days of recovery, expect moderate pain and soreness. Your surgeon will have prescribed pain medication to help manage this discomfort, so be sure to follow the medication schedule closely.
Plan to limit your activity during this period. The compression garments may naturally restrict your movements, but it’s also important to avoid unnecessary activity when possible. It’s advisable to arrange for help around the house during these first few days, especially if you have young children.
Weeks 1-2
After the first few days of complete rest and moderate pain, you will likely experience a noticeable decrease in pain and soreness over the next week or two. Many people can return to work after two weeks, but if your job is physically demanding, you may want to plan for extra time off to ensure a full recovery.
During this period, you will still need to wear your compression garments as directed.
Weeks 3-5
By the one-month mark, most patients no longer experience pain or soreness. Some swelling may still be present, which is normal and can take several months to fully subside. Around this time, you will likely start to notice visible results, with continued improvement as the swelling and bruising heal further.
After approximately four weeks, most people can resume light exercise. However, heavy or strenuous activities should still be avoided.
Week 6 and After
By the six-week mark, most bruising and swelling should have diminished, although some residual swelling may persist for a bit longer in some cases.
At this stage, you will likely no longer need to wear your compression garments, and your activity levels can return to normal unless your doctor advises otherwise.
By now, you should be able to see the full extent of your liposuction results.
What Does Liposuction Cost In Raleigh, NC?
At Diehl Plastic Surgery, we try our best to keep our services affordable to our patients. We are currently offering a free liposuction consultation. During this consultation, we will assess your cosmetic goals to determine the treatment method that will best satisfy your needs and give you a clear breakdown of the costs associated with your treatment.
In Addition to accepting many forms of payment, we offer financing through CareCredit®, Alphaeon® Credit, and Cherry. If you are considering liposuction, we encourage you to schedule a private consultation while we are offering a free consultation.
FAQs About Liposuction
For ultimate convenience and comfort, most liposuction procedures are performed under local anesthesia in Diehl Plastic Surgery’s procedure room. The expert team at Diehl Plastic Surgery is committed to ensuring you have a safe, comfortable liposuction experience.
Your recovery depends on the extent of treatment and the type of liposuction procedure performed. For lighter outpatient procedures, you may be able to resume your regular activities in just a few days. Most patients are back to normal activities (but not exercise) in the first week. In either case, you will likely experience bruising, tenderness, and swelling for the first few days to two weeks.
You will likely see a dramatic improvement after your liposuction in Raleigh over the course of the first month. However, due to swelling, the final results may be obscured temporarily. Depending on the type of liposuction performed, your swelling may subside within a few days to two weeks. It’s important to understand that swelling is completely normal, and soon you’ll be able to see your newly sculpted contours. Final liposuction results evolve over months with a gradual and progressive tightening of the tissue.
Ideal candidates for liposuction in Raleigh include men and women who are within 25 pounds of their ideal weight, but who still struggle with stubborn fat, especially on the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Chin/neck
- Inner and outer thighs
- Arms
- Chest
- Flanks and back
- Bra fat area
- Knees
The right body contouring procedure for you depends on your preferences and cosmetic goals. In general, patients seeking traditional liposuction should have good skin quality and elasticity.
Smart Lipo is such a popular option because it provides some skin tightening effects and often has a quicker, less-intense recovery period. It can also be performed under local anesthesia. At your consultation for liposuction in Raleigh, Dr. Diehl will help you decide which procedure would be best for you.
Yes, absolutely. Dr. Diehl frequently performs submental liposuction, which specifically targets the double chin area.
When fat cells are removed through tumescent liposuction or Smart Lipo, they are gone for good. However, all of the fat cells are not removed from the area. If you gain significant weight, the remaining fat cells will get larger. The cells that were removed cannot get larger (because they are gone) so even with weight gain you will not gain as much in the areas liposuctioned. Patients who maintain healthy lifestyle choices can expect their results to last long term.
Smart Lipo has a skin tightening effect, but it cannot remove excess skin on the abdomen. If you are seeking more dramatic results for the abdomen, you may want to consider a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). This is a surgical procedure that eliminates abdominal fat, removes excess skin, and tightens the abdominal muscles for a fully refreshed look. At your consultation, Dr. Diehl will help you explore whether this procedure (or a combination of both) might more appropriately address your concerns.
The incisions used for liposuction are very small, and they are barely noticeable once healed.
Your Liposuction Consultation
From the moment you arrive at Diehl Plastic Surgery, you’ll understand why so many patients have put their trust in the hands of Dr. Cynthia Diehl. She has structured her practice around providing personalized, attentive care in a beautiful setting where patients can feel at ease at every step of the way.
If you’re considering liposuction in Raleigh, your first step will be a personal consultation with Dr. Diehl. Your consultation will allow you to explore whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure. Dr. Diehl will answer all of your questions in detail to help you decide if liposuction is right for you.
As a body contouring expert, she will also guide you through all your available options, including traditional tumescent liposuction, SAFE liposuction and Smart Lipo. Whichever procedure you decide to undergo, you will be provided with a completely customized treatment plan to achieve your cosmetic goals.
