Your Questions

Q: Dr. Eppley, After our liposuction consultation last week, I have a few more questions to help me decide about the surgery. (abdominal and flank liposuction) 1. What will be expected for time of discomfort and movement restriction? 2. What are possible complications after Liposuction ? 3. Can you help me with your past customers (males) experiences and were they satisfied with the outcome considering the cost and rehab? I realize that everyone is different, but just need some case history with men similar to my build. 4. Will I be a sleep during the procedure? Thank you.

A: In answer to your liposuction questions:

1. While I do not place any liposuction patient on any after surgery restrictions, there will certainly be some. The most discomfort of course would be in the first few days but you will remain sore for weeks. It probably takes 2 to 3 weeks to begin moving close to normal again.
2. The most common complications after liposuction are aesthetic in nature, symmetry of the reduction and how well the skin will lay back down. Men generally have few skin irregularity issues because their skin is thicker and has never been stretched by pregnancy.
3. I think every male liposuction patient I have ever done has been largely satisfied..but the time to ask them is months later when they have fully recovered. Male liposuction of the body almost always is that of the abdomen and flanks (waistline) and often it is near circumferential. It is a tough aesthetic surgery for most men (depending on the size of the problem) but it can achieve a major change in stomach and waistline contours that can be otherwise hard to achieve.
4. This is a procedure that can only be done under general anesthesia.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 36 year-old man who has lost 40 lbs within the last year and a half and can’t lose anymore. I work out vigourously three or four times a week, eat a sensible diet and cannot lose any more size in my abdomen. My legs and arms have little visible fat and good tone. I am looking to reduce my waistline, love handles and abdomen. I am not sure about what procedures that I need to achieve my objectives.

A: Many people in their weight loss efforts face the same circumstances that you find yourself in. You have put good effort in losing weight and getting your body in better shape and have lost some substantial weight. But now you have ‘hit the wall’ and are short of what you want your body to look like. For many, the remaining excess fat may be quite resistant or there may be rolls of skin that no diet and exercise will ameloriate. Regardless, this is where surgery can help one make the final step. For most men, it is the use of liposuction in the abdomen, flanks and waistline that is usually needed. In extreme weight loss, there may be a need for some stomach skin removal as well. For many women, liposuction combined with some form of a tummy tuck is what is needed to get a flatter stomach.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana