Liposuction

If you are considering going for liposuction surgery, then you need to know the facts first.

Liposuction is a procedure which helps improve the body shape by removing unwanted and excess fat from specific areas such as the chin, abdomen, hips, thighs etc.

Liposuction is not a substitute for either exercise or an improvement in diet, though it will assist in removing any obstinate areas of fat which don’t respond to the more conventional weight loss methods.

To meet the criteria as a candidate for liposuction, you should have realistic expectations about what liposuction can do for you. Unfortunately many people assume that having liposuction will improve their whole life, whereas in fact the excess fat you are carrying may only be part of any problems you may have.

You should appreciate that although liposuction has the ability to improve your appearance and thus your self confidence, it will not necessarily alter either your looks to that of your ideal or modify the way other people treat you.

Prior to making your decision about surgery, you should think very carefully about what you are expecting and discuss these with your surgeon. If you do have any unrealistic expectations, he will be able to explain to you the realities of what is involved.

The ideal candidates for liposuction are those with a standard weight who have nice firm, elastic skin and areas of inflexible surplus fat in precise areas of their body.

It is essential that anyone considering this procedure is physically healthy secure mentally and also they have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery.

If you are considering going for liposuction surgery, then you need to know the facts first.

Liposuction is a procedure which helps improve the body shape by removing unwanted and excess fat from specific areas such as the chin, abdomen, hips, thighs etc.

Liposuction is not a substitute for either exercise or an improvement in diet, though it will assist in removing any obstinate areas of fat which don’t respond to the more conventional weight loss methods.

To meet the criteria as a candidate for liposuction, you should have realistic expectations about what liposuction can do for you. Unfortunately many people assume that having liposuction will improve their whole life, whereas in fact the excess fat you are carrying may only be part of any problems you may have.

You should appreciate that although liposuction has the ability to improve your appearance and thus your self confidence, it will not necessarily alter either your looks to that of your ideal or modify the way other people treat you.

Prior to making your decision about surgery, you should think very carefully about what you are expecting and discuss these with your surgeon. If you do have any unrealistic expectations, he will be able to explain to you the realities of what is involved.

The ideal candidates for liposuction are those with a standard weight who have nice firm, elastic skin and areas of inflexible surplus fat in precise areas of their body.

It is essential that anyone considering this procedure is physically healthy secure mentally and also they have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery.

Liposuction – the procedure

Before going for your surgery, you will receive specific instructions about how to prepare for your liposuction surgery. This will include specific instructions on eating and drinking, taking or avoiding certain medications and vitamins and smoking. Your surgery may also be postponed should you develop a cold or an infection. Some surgeons recommend you have blood drawn prior to your surgery in case there is a need for it during or after the surgery.

You should also ensure there will be a relative or friend available to take you home following the procedure and be available to look after you a day or two after you have been discharged from the clinic or hospital.

Liposuction is often performed in the surgeon’s outpatient centre or in a hospital. Procedures involving smaller volume liposuction are often performed in an outpatient centre, this helps minimise cost and is more convenient for may people. Should a large volume of fat be removed, or if the liposuction is being performed alongside another procedure, a night’s stay in hospital is usually required.

There are various types of anaesthesia that may be used for liposuction procedures. You should discuss these with your surgeon to decide which will provide the safest and most effective comfort during your surgery.

Liposuction may be performed under local anaesthesia if only a small amount of fat and a smaller amount of body sites are to receive liposuction. This will numb the areas affected. Some patients prefer to use local anaesthesia in conjunction with sedation to allow them to feel more relaxed whilst the procedure is taking place. An epidural block is a popular choice for more extensive procedures.

Many patients prefer a general anaesthesia, especially those who are having a large amount of fat removed. An Anaesthetist will be present throughout the procedure to ensure you are asleep during the procedure and there are no complications relating to the anaesthetic.

The duration of the procedure depends upon the size of the area to receive liposuction, the amount of fat that is to be removed and the type of anaesthesia that is to be used.

To enhance the outcome of the liposuction procedure, there are several techniques used to make the procedure easier whilst enhancing the outcome.

The procedure itself involves ensuring localised deposits of fat are removed and one or more areas of the body are re-contoured. A narrow cannula or tube is inserted through an incision in the skin and used to vacuum the fat layer sitting quite deeply beneath the skin.

The tube or cannula is then pushed and pulled through the layer of fat to break up the fat cells and suck them out. A vacuum pump or large syringe provides the suction action. If you are having many sites treated, the surgeon will repeat this procedure on each site. The incisions are kept as inconspicuous as possible.

Fluid is also lost during this vacuum process and it is essential it is replaced during the procedure to prevent complications such as shock. Patients are therefore monitored carefully and given intravenous fluids during and after the surgery.

 

Liposuction – Techniques

There are different liposuction techniques available. The basic technique involves small incisions being made on the affected area and a narrow tube or cannula, which is attached to a vacuum that sucks the fat that lies deep beneath the skin. This basic technique is used in all patients although there are several variations available.

Fluid Injection

A technique known as Fluid Injection involves a medicated solution being injected into the fatty areas prior to the fat being removed is a popular method currently being used. The fluid is a combination of intravenous salt solution and a local anaesthetic along with a drug that contract’s the body’s blood vessels. This helps the fat detach easier, reduces the blood loss and provides the patient with anaesthesia during the after the procedure. The fluid is injected to help reduce the amount of bruising following the surgery.

Tumescent Technique

The ‘Tumescent Technique’ involved the surgeon injecting large volumes of fluid, up to three times the amount of far removed. The tumescent liposuction technique is usually performed on those patients who require a local anaesthetic, although the procedure usually takes longer (sometimes 4-5 hours) than the traditional liposuction. The fluid contains enough anaesthetic so additional anaesthesia is not always needed.

Super-wet Technique

Another technique similar to the tumescent technique is the ‘Super-wet Technique.’ The difference is – lesser amounts of fluids are used. This techniques involves the amount of fluid is equal to the amount of fat that is to be removed. IV sedation is often required for this technique and sometimes a patient may need a general anaesthetic. This surgical method usually takes one to two hours.

Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty

Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) is another liposuction technique where a special cannula that creates ultrasonic energy is used. As is passes through the fatty areas, the energy explodes to fat cell walls and the fat is liquidised. The fat is then removed using the traditional liposuction technique.

This technique can improve the effectiveness of liposuction on fibrous areas of the body, for example, the upper back or the male breast. The ease of the process is also improved. This method is often used in secondary procedure when an enhances precision is requires. This method generally takes longer to perform than the traditional liposuction method.

There will be a noticeable different in the body’s shape soon after the completion of the surgery. It must also be remembered that improvement will be even more noticeable after four to six weeks, when the swelling has settled down. Any persistent or mild swelling has usually settled down after three months and the contour will become visible. Providing that your expectations were realistic, you should be satisfied with the results of the liposuction surgery and will have more confidence when wearing a wider variety of clothes. You should be able to maintain your new shape by eating a healthy diet and taking regular exercise.

Related Articles

• The Tummy Tuck - Our abdomens or tummies come in many different shapes and sizes. Many environmental factors affect t ....
• Abdominoplasty - Tummy tucks surgery takes several hours to perform, though usually the time element depends on how m ....
• How the Lap-Band Weight Loss Surgery is performed -   The Lap-Band weight loss surgery is often the most preferred surgery of its kind. It offers m ....
• Procedure for Gastric Bypass Surgery - Gastric bypass surgery is one of the several options for weight loss surgery. It is known to be a co ....
• What is Restrictive Weight Loss Surgery? - There are several types of weight loss surgeries. Each form of surgery comes with its own special co ....