Liposuction

Surgical fat removal by cannula suction to contour the abdomen, flanks, thighs, back, and other areas. Dr. Kolker offers tumescent, superwet, SAL, power-assisted (PAL), ultrasound-assisted (UAL), and SmartLipo laser-assisted techniques selected by area and tissue characteristics. Lipoabdominoplasty (combined lipo and tummy tuck) is also available. Compression garment worn post-operatively. Most patients return to light activity within two weeks.

Liposuction at Dr. Kolker's practice addresses localised fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise — most commonly the abdomen, flanks (love handles), inner and outer thighs, back rolls, bra-line excess, and submental (under-chin) area. Dr. Kolker's approach is distinguished by the range of energy-assisted and mechanical techniques he deploys, matched to the tissue characteristics and anatomical location being treated. The foundational technique is tumescent or superwet infiltration — instilling a dilute solution of saline, lidocaine local anesthetic, and epinephrine into the fat layer. The epinephrine causes vasoconstriction that substantially reduces blood loss; the saline volume temporarily expands the fat compartment, easing cannula movement; the lidocaine provides intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Standard suction-assisted lipolysis (SAL) uses manual cannula strokes to mechanically break and aspirate fat. Power-assisted lipectomy (PAL) uses a mechanical vibrating cannula tip that breaks fat with less physical force, reducing surgeon fatigue in dense or fibrous areas. Ultrasound-assisted lipolysis (UAL) uses an ultrasound-emitting tip to liquefy fat before aspiration — particularly effective in fibrous areas such as the male abdomen, back, and gynecomastia. SmartLipo is a laser-assisted technique using a fine fiber-optic laser inside the cannula to simultaneously liquefy fat and stimulate dermal collagen contraction, which can enhance skin tightening in areas with mild skin laxity. Lipoabdominoplasty (combined liposuction with tummy tuck) is performed as a single procedure to simultaneously address fat, muscle separation, and skin excess — the surgical approach considers the blood supply to the abdominal skin flap so that liposuction and excision zones are planned together to avoid compromising perfusion. Compression garments are worn for several weeks. Most patients return to light activities within two weeks; vigorous exercise from six weeks.