Rejuvena Cosmetic Medical Center is centrally located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At Rejuvena, we do not charge for consultations. To schedule your free consultation, please email or call us at (405) 842-1100.
Q: Are these treatments uncomfortable?
A: There is very little discomfort with the procedure. The most discomfort is in applying the local anesthesia. Once the anesthesia is applied, patients generally feel a scrubbing feeling.
Q: How many treatments are required?
A: Generally only 1 treatment is required, unless there are significant fat deposits in the treated area. Occasionally, a touch-up may be required, but generally, if a significant improvement cannot be expected with one treatment, a weight reduction program will be recommended before the procedure is undertaken.
Q: Will I be left with dimpling in the treated area?
A: Because of the destruction of the fat cells with bulk heating and photo-disruption, the connective tissue that holds the skin to the subcutaneous layer is not disturbed; furthermore, it is stimulated by the thermal effect to tighten the skin.
Q: Is there less bruising than traditional liposuction?
A: The hemostatic effect of the laser closes off blood vessels, resulting in minimal bruising and swelling. It is the same laser wavelength that is used to treat spider veins and other vascular problems of the skin. In addition, there is much less trauma to the tissue because the fat is selectively dissolved before it is removed. The probes used are very small and blunt-ended as opposed to traditional liposuction that involves a sharp, cutting probe to manually break up fat.
Q: How many areas may I treat at one time?
A: Usually, for a person of normal--or near normal-- weight, multiple areas can be treated at one time. For larger patients, with more fat to remove, it is best to limit each procedure to one or two areas.
Q: What makes up an “area”?
A: The following are typically defined as a single area. The upper or lower abdomen is usually one area. In a small patient, both may be one area. Love handles constitute an area, as do the inner thighs. The sub-mental area (double chin) is one area, and the jowls may be a separate area, or combined with the sub-mentum, depending on the size of the individual. In consultation, we can determine your areas precisely.
Q: Is this less expensive than traditional liposuction?
A: Not necessarily. Whereas traditional liposuction requires minimal equipment, the new technology is costly. Rejuvena has invested several hundred thousands of dollars to offer a comprehensive, state-of-the-art selection of equipment to optimize results. However, because general anesthesia is not required, anesthesiologist costs are eliminated. The cost saved in decreased risk, however, cannot be measured (i.e., "is priceless").
Q: Is there a standard price per area?
A: No, price varies according to the bulk of tissue to be removed, but generally begins at $3,000. A very small area may be priced slightly lower. The more areas performed during a single treatment, the lower the price per area may be.
Q: Will I require skin removal surgery after the procedure to remove excess skin?
A: One of the advantages of SlimLipo™ is that the skin is tightened around the treated area, leaving little or no excess or sagging skin. Certainly there are limitations to this, and in some cases a surgical lift may be recommended.
Q: How much downtime will I have after the procedure?
A: In most cases, patients resume most normal activities the day following the procedure. With small, single areas, you can be back to work the next day; more extensive treatment may require a few days off. In any case, it is recommended that you have someone stay with you the day of the procedure. Exercise can be resumed to some extent after you are seen for your one week follow-up. Dr. Hardt will discuss limitations of any post-treatment physical activities in your consultation.
Q: What about follow-up?
A: Dr. Hardt sees all surgical patients approximately 24 hours after surgery, as well as one week after surgery.
Q: What other downtime considerations are there?
A: For jowls or neck treatments, a compression garment must be worn for 3 days. For areas on the body, such as love handles or abdomen, a compression garment must be worn for three to four weeks, around the clock. You are fitted for this garment and you may purchase the garment at our medical facility. After seven days, it can briefly be removed daily for bathing. Showers are not recommended during this time period. If you are having your jowls or neck treated, it is recommended that you wash your hair with a deep cleansing shampoo the morning of surgery, as you will not be able to remove your compression garment for three days.
Q: How much fat can be taken?
A: There are limits to how much fatty tissue can be safely taken from the body. One way to get a good idea is to stand and bend from the waist. The amount of "loose-hanging" fat you can easily grab above / below your waist will approximate what can be removed. Bear in mind that this procedure is not intended as a weight loss solution. The goal is to create a slimmer silhouette. You may not notice a significant amount of weight loss, but should be pleased with your slimmer new shape.
Q: I am interested in scheduling this treatment. What is the process?
A: A free consultation with Dr. Hardt is the first step. If it is determined that you are an appropriate candidate, a pre-op examination will be performed approximately one week prior to surgery. A pre-op list of “do’s and don’ts” will be reviewed with you, and a written copy will be provided when your procedure time is scheduled.
Q: Should I continue to lose weight prior to the procedure?
A: Dr. Hardt will advise you to maintain your weight beginning at least two weeks prior to undergoing the procedure. With weight loss, fat cells shrink, and water is lost from the cell, making removal of the cell less efficient. If you have weight to lose, you may do so up to two weeks before the procedure, but a slow, steady weight loss is recommended. This can be resumed after the procedure, and dietary recommendations will be made.
Wrinkle Correction
