Liposuction
What is liposuction?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for liposuction
Recovery
What is liposuction?
Liposuction -- also called suction-assisted
lipectomy -- is a surgical technique designed
to remove pockets of localized fat from a specific
area of the body, such as the waist, abdomen,
arms, thighs, ankles or small areas of the face.
It's one of the most commonly performed cosmetic
surgery procedures.
During the proceure, the surgeon makes a small
incision near the area of fat to be removed,
then inserts a cannula (hollow tube), which
is attached to a suction machine. By using gentle
suction and lightly moving the cannula back
and forth, the physician can remove small areas
of fat. The resulting scars are small (1/2 to
1 1/2 inches) and usually can be hidden, even
in a bikini.
Within the last five years, plastic surgeons
have developed new liposuction methods, which
may be used alone or in combination with traditional
liposuction.
During tumescent liposuction, the doctor injects
a large amount of anesthetic into the area of
fat to be removed. The anesthetic liquid causes
the fat to swell (tumesce), which allows the
liposuction cannula to move more smoothly while
the fat is being removed. The advantages of
this technique are less blood loss during the
procedure and less bruising and swelling afterward.
Surgeons use this technique most often for the
face, neck, arms, calves and ankles, where the
procedure needs to be more precise.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) uses
sound waves to dissolve fat, which is then removed
using a cannula, just as in traditional liposuction.
UAL doesn't replace traditional liposuction,
but is used in conjunction with it. It's most
often used in body areas where a large amount
of fat will be removed.
Your physician will talk to you about which
method, or combination of methods, is right
for you. Back to top
Who is a good candidate?
Healthy, fit and psychologically stable
men and women who have pockets of unwanted fat
that remain despite dieting and exercise are
the best candidates for this procedure. Liposuction
can help remove "trouble spots" of
localized fat in these areas:
- abdomen
- buttocks
- hips
- thighs
- knees
- calves
- ankles
- upper arms
- above the breasts
- neck and under the chin
- cheeks
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight
loss. If you're overweight, your plastic surgeon
may ask you to lose weight before you finalize
your surgery plans. This procedure is also not
the most effective cosmetic surgery technique
for skin that has lost elasticity. Loose or
sagging skin is best removed by another surgical
procedure, although under some circumstances
the surgeon may perform liposuction in conjunction
with other procedures.
It is importat to have realistic expectations
about your surgery's results. If you want them
to be long-term, you must commit to eating properly
and staying fit after surgery, as well. Back to top
Risks
Every type of surgery has risks,
but you can usually help prevent complications
by carefully following your physician's instructions.
It's important to talk with your plastic surgeon
before surgery to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Liposuction's risks depend a great deal on
the extent of the surgery. If you're undergoing
extensive suctioning or having multiple areas
treated, you're at greater risk for complications.
When serious problems occur, they're usually
due to extensive fluid loss. Infection is also
an occasional complication.
If you're having both sides of your body liposuctioned,
your results may be uneven, and you may need
a second procedure. Sometimes the skin over
the area becomes rippled or baggy. Pigment changes,
such as brown spots, may appear after you've
been in the sun.
Although the liposuction incisions do leave
scars, the plastic surgeon will take great care
to place them where they'll be least visible.
These scars usually fade over time, so they
can barely be seen, if at all. Back to top
Preparing for liposuction
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions
before surgery so you're properly prepared and
less likely to experience complications. In
some circumstances, your plastic surgeon may
ask you to lose weight before having liposuction.
If you smoke, you'll need to stop at least two
weeks before surgery. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory
drugs can increase bleeding, so your doctor
will tell you when to stop taking them.
Most liposuction is performed under local anesthesia
or local anesthesia with sedation, so you'll
need to have someone to take you home afterward;
if you don't, you won't be discharged. Depending
on the type of anesthesia you have, your instructions
will include a list of other medications to
discontinue and the time you must stop eating
prior to your surgery.
You'll need to undergo pre-admission testing
-- screening procedures to ensure you have no
illness or condition which might interfere with
the surgery or your recovery. If you plan to
have extensive liposuction, or if you're undergoing
another procedure at the same time, you may
be asked to consider donating blood well in
advance of your appointment to replace what
you might lose during surgery. Back to top
Recovery
Your plastic surgeon and his or her staff will
give you instructions on how to care for yourself
after surgery in order to get the best results.
Depending on how extensive your surgery was,
you may have had local anesthesia, local anesthesia
with sedation, and -- in some circumstances
-- general anesthesia. Because you've had anesthesia,
you won't be discharged if you don't have someone
to take you home.
Most liposuction is performed on an outpatient
basis, but if you've had large or multiple areas
of liposuction, your physician will have stricter
requirements for rest and recovery, and may
even require an overnight stay in the hospital.
For two or three weeks after the procedure,
your plastic surgeon will ask you to wear a
special tightly fitting elastic garment over
the liposuctioned area. This body stocking helps
control bleeding and swelling and also helps
your body recontour itself. You may also have
a tube at the surgical site to drain fluid buildup.
Your doctor or nurse will give you special instructions
about your body stocking and any drainage tubes.
Depending on the extent of your surgery, your
doctor will allow you to return to work anywhere
from three days to two weeks after surgery.
If you're patient until the bruising and swelling
have improved, and you've begun to feel better,
you'll realize your goal of looking more svelte.
To maintain your new look, be sure to continue
eating right and exercising regularly. Back to top
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