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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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Answers To Common Questions

Click on any of the questions below to reveal the answers. If your questions aren't covered here, feel free to give us a call or send us your questions in the simple form on our contact page.

Do your hair-removal procedures hurt?

You are sure to feel something, but it will be nothing like what you may have experienced with other lasers. Our computerized scanner — the only one of its kind in Houston — makes the treatments fast and quite comfortable compared to other approaches, and with superior results.

This will be nothing like the horror stories you have probably heard. This isn't an IPL. And our laser does not target melanin (skin pigment) the way other lasers do. Meaning that it is perfectly safe on all skin types and colors, entirely without risk of burning or scarring your skin. And SO much more comfortable, even when treating the most tender, sensitive areas.

How many laser procedures does it take to become hair-free?

It's important to remember that hair grows in cycles, and you can only destroy the hair currently in an active growth cycle. Typically, these cycles come around on a 7 to 10 week time frame. Everyone is different, and because of this we customize your hair-removal schedule to make sure we are getting you the very best results with the fewest possible treatments. You should probalby estimate about 5 or 6 treatments, spanning about one year of time, in order to hit all of the growth cycles.

Now, as you grow older or experience serious hormonal changes (during pregnancy, for instance, or later during menopause), it is possible for previously dormant hair follicles to wake up and start growing. If that happens, you can just come in and we can zap those as well.

How large can the spider veins be for you to get rid of them?

Small veins on the ankles or on the side of the nose are easy. But how large can we go? Imagine drawing a line on your skin with a thick Sharpie marker. Or make a fist and look at the veins on the back of your hand. We can get rid of spider veins that large.

What we cannot help with are true varicose veins — those big, thick protruding veins that can occur usually high up on the leg. If you have big varicose veins, you will need to have those removed or closed off surgically before trying to go after the smaller spider veins on your legs.

Is liposuction considered a treatment for obesity?

Liposuction surgery is not the treatment of choice for obesity. It should not be considered an alternative to proper nutrition and exercise. It can, however, remove excess fatty deposits from the body, and proves highly advantageous to many patients.

Who would you describe as the perfect candidate for lipo procedures?

There are really no age or weight limits when considering lipo. The removal of areas of localized fat achieve the best results with liposuction surgery, and the patients who see the most lasting results are those who have a stable weight. But patients who are happy with their weight but who have localized bulges that they would like reshaped or recontoured are certainly great candidates as well. The ideal patients for liposuction surgery are in good health, exercise on a regular basis (2 to 3 times a week) and have realistic expectations of the benefits of liposuction.

What parts of the body see the best results from liposuction and fat-transfer?

In women, the most commonly treated areas are the chin, neck, arms, back, abdomen, waist line, buttocks, thighs, and legs. In men, the most commonly treated areas are the breast, abdomen, love handles, and neck.

How is fat removed from bulge areas?

Fat is removed through the use of a hollow tube called a cannula, which has suctioning holes at one end. The cannula is inserted beneath the skin through a very small (quarter-inch) incision, into the fatty tissue overlying the muscles below. The cannula breaks up the fatty tissue, creating a honeycombing of the fat, and then a vaccum pump connected to the other end of the cannula evacuates the loosened fat cells through a series of openings at the end of the cannula.

The smaller the cannula, the smaller the tunnels and the more even and smooth the reduction. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse, resulting in an improved body contour. Dr. Rassoli uses cannulas that are generally only 2.0 to 3.0 mm in outside diameter. Other surgeons, by contrast, often use cannulas 5.0 mm or larger in size.

With lipo, what is the recovery like? (How soon can I get back to my life?)

Home rest is necessary for the first 24 hours following your liposuction surgery, and then a light work schedule may be resumed. If sculpting is more extensive and performed in several areas, 2-3 days of recuperation may be necessary. Special elastic garments must be worn for 4 to 5 weeks after surgery. The rate of healing is accelerated as a result of the drainage of anesthetic solution. Drainage minimizes bruising, reduces inflammation, and significantly accelerates the healing process.

How will my skin look after the lipo procedure?

Stretch marks, dimples, and ripples remain unchanged following surgery. The changes following liposuction are similar to those one would expect if it were possible to lose an equal amount of fat in localized areas by dieting alone. Smaller cannulas allow the fibrous connections between skin and body to remain. They contract or shorten during healing. For this reason, excessive skin folds are rare, and in fact, many patients who would have previously required surgical excision of skin (tuck) can have excellent results with liposuction alone.

And remember, we also offer laser scar-revision and stretch-mark revision and skin-tightening procedures as a supplement to your lipo procedures, making possible the most extraordinary results.

Will the lipo procedures result in bruising or leave any scars?

You can expect some minor bruising, yes, but this is greatly reduced because the local anesthetic solution contains epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels, reducing bleeding and therefore bruising. The drainage of anesthetic solution following the tumescent technique further reduces bruising as it contains blood cells that would otherwise remain under the skin and appear as a bruise. By minimizing bruising and swelling, the tumescent technique accelerates the rate of healing.

As for scarring, skin irregularities, lumpiness, hardness and dimpling may appear post-operatively. Most of these problems disappear with time, however, although localized skin firmness, lumpiness and/or irregularities may be permanent. In dark-skinned patients, hyperpigmented scars (dark to black scars) can occur and may be permanent. Other objectionable scarring such as keloids are possible. If loose skin is present in the treated area(s), it may or may not shrink to conform to the new contour.

We do offer additional laser procedures to help address any potential adverse consequences of your liposuction, and we can explain these to you during your consultation.

Can fat re-accumulate in areas treated with lipo?

It is the belief of the medical community that after puberty, no further fat cells are produced. Therefore, the removal of fat cells after puberty via liposuction surgery is considered a permanent way to remove fat.

At the Center for Beautiful Bodies, we guarantee that if the fat cells return to the suctioned area(s) within five years, we will re-suction the area at supply cost only.

Will I require general anesthesia or IV sedation?

NO. Absolutely not. General anesthesia and I.V. sedation have inherent risks greater than those of local anesthesia alone. In fact, fatalities associated with general anesthesia are estimated to be one in ten thousand patients. Procedures administered by the Center for Beautiful Bodies require only a local anesthetic. Don't take unnecessary risks. AVOID GENERAL ANESTHESIA.

Could any complicatons occur during my lipo procedure?

Surgical complications of liposuction are quite rare. As with any surgical procedure, liposuction is associated with common side effects such as bruising, swelling, and numbness. Skin irregularities can also occur, but they are reduced significantly by using smaller cannulas such as those utilized at the Center for Beautiful Bodies. Drug reactions can occur but can be rapidly reversed. Although cardiac arrest and pulmonary complications can occur, these problems, if ever encountered, will be managed by Dr. Rassoli, as he is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. Other complications such as hematomas (collection of blood under the skin) can occur.

Rare but significant complications can occur with any surgery and include serious infection, narcotizing fascitis, pulmonary embolism (secondary to blood or fat embolism), fluid imbalance, excessive blood loss, anesthesia complications, perforated viscus, and death.

This information is not intended to frighten you, but rather to enable you to decide if liposuction surgery is for you. Following surgery, you should immediately report any signs of infection, bleeding around the incisions, or anything else that causes you concern.

Why don't more surgeons use the Tumescent technique?

One of the most significant factors in determining which technique a surgeon will use is time. From a surgeon's point of view, the surgery will take less time when a general anesthetic is used. Plastic and cosmetic surgeons commonly use general anesthesia.

Dr. Rassoli uses local anesthetic to perform liposuction surgery using the tumescent technique. The Tumescent technique is the best and safest way to undergo liposuction surgery.

When you visit our Houston offices for your initial free consultation or for one of our Lunch And Learn events, Dr. Rassoli will answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have.

Contact Us

Center For Beautiful Bodies
2621 S. Shepherd, Suite 260
Houston, TX 77098
Ph: 281-501-8357
Email: info@houstoncosmeticlaser.com

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