Trust is a cornerstone of any patient/doctor relationship. You have trusted Drs. Burigo and VanGilder with your obstetrical and gynecologic concerns since 1980 and 2000, respectively. We would like to thank you for extending that trust into the realm of aesthetic medicine.

It has been our pleasure to further develop our surgical skills to include tumescent liposculpture with a specialization in abdominal reduction. Tumescent liposculpture is a safe and effective method, not only of reducing areas of fat accumulation, but of sculpting the body into a more pleasing shape. Patients have a reduced recovery time compared to more traditional liposuction and have a significantly reduced risk of clinically significant blood loss. This is a micro-cannula technique performed under local anesthesia that adds to the safety profile of this improved technology.

Our goal is to provide only the best service to our patients and, to that end, we engage often in educational interaction with a French aesthetic practicioner and attend continuing education courses.  We have also attended the hands-on training course provided by Dr. Jeffrey Klein who developed the tumescent technique. We are committed to excellence and are excited about our extended services.

Other areas of liposculpture offered are love handles, back, and outer thigh and inner thigh in chosen candidates. We invite you to a complimentary consultation to determine if liposculpture is right for you.

Liposculpture is the process of removing fat deposits from the body in such a way that a nicer shape is achieved. It is more than just the removal of fat and takes into consideration the normal curves and contour of the body in order to create an appealing figure. It has been said that the fat left behind is as important as the fat that is removed.  This is true. For example, when men are questioned about which women they find most appealing, it is not always the thinnest woman. It is the woman with a well-proportioned body even if she is somewhat overweight.

Am I a candidate for liposculpture?

A thorough discussion and evaluation is required to fully answer this question but most people are actually candidates for the procedure if it is something they want to do.
In our practice, we focus primarily on the abdomen, the back, and love handles as so many of our patients find this to be their area of greatest concern after having children and during the peri-menopausal period.  We also offer liposculpture to the saddlebags, hips and male breasts.

Does it hurt?

The procedure is done totally under local anesthesia. A specialized solution of fluid including physiologic saline, lidocaine, epinephrine and bicarbonate (Klein’s Solution) is utilized to provide anesthesia and to control blood loss. The procedure can be uncomfortable at times but is very well tolerated by our patients. Most patients choose to take an oral medication for anxiety prior to starting the procedure.

When can I return to normal activity?

This depends on the areas treated but, in general, a patient can be back to daily activities within 24-48 hours. Patients will be asked to refrain from exercise for a period of one month for most liposculpture procedures but most other activities can be resumed and specific cases can be reviewed at the pre-operative consultation.

Will there be visible scars?

Our procedure is done through very small incisions only large enough for the introduction of special micro-cannulas created for this purpose.  People with darker skin types have a higher incidence of hyperpigmented scars but, often, these can be treated with IPL therapy to remove the pigment. We make every effort to place the incisions in places where they are least visible but allows the surgeon assess to the areas to be treated.

How long does it take to reach maximum results?

It can take 3 months to have a good idea of what the final result will be but the body continues to transform over the ensuing months.

Are the results permanent?

YES. Fat that is removed from the body does not regenerate. Weight gain as adults is due to enlargement of existing fat cells and not due to the development of new fat cells. Thus, a person may gain weight in other areas of the body where the fat was not removed so it remains important to maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen.

Is it safe?

Yes. In the properly chosen patient, liposculpture is very safe. The procedure done under local anesthesia with 4000 cc or less of fat removed, is considered safe. There has been media coverage of deaths due to liposuction but these cases were a result of a different type of liposuction procedure.


How much does it cost?

Price varies depending on the number of regions the patient has done. The cost of the procedure can be discussed at the time of the initial consultation.