Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia
Many patients seek non-surgical methods to achieve their circumferential reduction goals. CoolSculpting is one such non-invasive procedure that helps with body contouring and many people prefer it because of the minimal downtime and risks.
However, it is important to understand that there is a small risk of a rare side effect of CoolSculpting, called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). As the name indicates, in this condition, the patient who undergoes the procedure find that the site of treatment grows larger rather than smaller as expected.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides PAH treatment to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.
What is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)?
CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure based on the principle of cryolipolysis. This term refers to the use of very cold temperatures to cause freezing and subsequent destruction of stubborn fat in the abdomen, thighs, arms and chin.
But some patients experience an uncommon side effect of cryolipolysis in which the treated area becomes larger and forms a hard and painless mass below the skin. This condition is called PAH and it may develop after a few weeks or months following the treatment.
Can PAH be Treated ?
PAH is certainly treatable, and most surgeons make use of the technique of liposuction to drain away the excess fat that has formed. A majority of patients with PAH undergo this treatment and are happy with the final results.
When a patient presents with symptoms of PAH, the cosmetic surgeon will ask them to wait for several months before initiating further treatment. This allows the hardened tissue to soften so that it responds better to liposuction. If liposuction is used early on, there is a risk of PAH recurrence.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Massage Treatment Post Surgery
The success of post-surgical advanced manual lymphatic drainage massage lies in its gentleness. Most experts believe that heat and deep massage are counterproductive in a post-surgical setting; thus, it is important that you NOT substitute deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, or other massage technique for this advanced treatment. Your specific treatment plan—including when to begin advanced MLD and how frequently you should receive treatments—will depend on the surgical procedure you had and your unique state of health.
Post-surgical MLD is an advanced technique requiring specialized training, and should only be performed by a licensed massage therapist. If you have had—or if you are planning to have—a mastectomy or a cosmetic procedure such as a facelift or liposuction.
Read more about post surgery massage for MLD.
Liposuction for Treatment of PAH
Liposuction to treat PAH is a procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with sedation.
But in patients where a greater quantity of fat has to be removed, or if the patient is undergoing some other surgery, the doctor will advise an overnight stay at the hospital. In such instances, the liposuction plastic surgery will be carried out with the patient under general anesthesia.
The time required for the procedure depends on several variables such as the type of surgical procedure used, the extent of fat tissue to be removed, and the number of areas that require treatment.
What Happens During Liposuction?
The surgeon first marks the site of the procedure and makes a tiny incision. Through this, they insert a narrow cannula to reach the deeper fat layers. The cannula is then gently moved back and forth to loosen the fat cells. Next the surgeon attaches a vacuum syringe or a pump to the cannula’s outer end and suctions off the dislodged fat cells.
Patients may suffer some loss of blood and fluid during the procedure. The surgeon will ensure fluid replacement through IV infusions both during and following the surgery. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for PAH treatment.
Contact Motykie Med Spa in Beverly Hills, CA For More Information on Coolsculpting and Other Fat Removing Procedures:
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