Written by Mara Beebe
If those last few pounds or problem areas have you discouraged about looking in shape for the summer months then worry no longer. Liposuction can help you achieve the body and confidence that you have worked hard for. “Clients want to look their best for beachwear and shorts in the summer months,” says Michele Cooper, MD and through a variety of liposuction techniques, she can improve the areas that exercise and diet have failed to.
Fat cells can be changed with an active lifestyle but genetics determine how many fat cells there are and where they reside. The main areas that patients seek liposuction, she says, are for the abdomen, love handles, and saddlebags. Dr. Cooper wants to help people “feel more comfortable in their own skin” and says that if liposuction is something you are thinking about, then the first step is to schedule a consultation.
The benefit of an early consultation is to understand all of the factors involved. It is important to know what to expect after the surgery and during recovery. “Patients need to know how much time their body will need to heal,” says Dr. Cooper and a consultation is the “most effective way to communicate” realistic expectations both before and after surgery.
She listens to what the patient wants to change and discusses what procedures she thinks will be most beneficial. Photographs are taken and if possible, the Vectra® 3D Imaging system is utilized to show the patient what they will look like afterwards. The Vectra® 3D Imaging system is a high-resolution digital tool that can approximate the post-surgery results for breast and facial surgeries, and certain body liposuction procedures.
“Clients want to look their best for beachwear and shorts in the summer months,” says Michele Cooper, MD and through a variety of liposuction techniques, she can improve the areas that exercise and diet have failed to.
In the same consultation, Dr. Cooper can address other areas of concern and notes that a combination of techniques may be required both surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatments include chemical peels, Injectable fillers, Botox, and Exilis, a non-invasive, FDA-approved device that uses radiofrequency and controlled heating to reduce fat, smooth out wrinkles, tighten skin, and requires no downtime.
Injectables such as Botox, Restylane, and Sculptra are used to enhance and redefine facial features and necessitate no recovery time. Results are immediate and can last anywhere from several months to a year. Dr. Cooper’s clinic offers 20 percent off on Botox and dermal fillers on the first Tuesday of each month. Reservations are required and she consults with each patient and personally performs the procedure. The Exilis treatment currently has a special discount of one free treatment with the purchase of four treatments.
Dr. Cooper is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Louisiana Society of Plastic Surgeons. She believes that clients should “investigate and understand their options” through a board-certified plastic surgeon and helping her patients make an “informed decision” is what her practice does best. Dr. Cooper was recently voted the 2012 Northshore’s Best cosmetic surgeon.
Dr. Cooper’s office is located at 1090 W. Causeway Approach. She can be reached at 985-626-6163 or www.michelecoopermd.com.