Liposuction

Liposuction, which is also known as lipoplasty, is the removal of fat from the body using suction. In traditional liposuction, small, thin blunt-tipped tubes (cannulas) are inserted through tiny incisions in the skin. Fat is suctioned out through the cannulas as the doctor moves the cannula around under the skin to target specific fat deposits. Liposuction sculpts the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas. Fat can be removed from areas such as your abdomen, buttocks, thighs, knees, arms, chin, cheeks and neck.

The main purpose of liposuction is to reshape an area (or areas) of the body, not to reduce body weight. Liposuction is typically used on "problem" areas that do not respond well to diet and exercise, such as the outer thighs and hips on women ("saddlebags") and the waist and back on men ("love handles"). The face, neck, abdomen, back, buttocks, legs, and upper arms are all commonly treated areas.

Liposuction is sometimes used in combination with other cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast reduction, or face-lift.
Liposuction may also be used to treat certain medical conditions, including:

• Benign fatty tumors (lipomas).
• Abnormal enlargement of the male breasts (gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia).
• Problems with metabolism of fat in the body (lipodystrophy).
• Excessive sweating in the armpit area (axillary hyperhidrosis).
• Liposuction is not used to treat obesity. It will not get rid of cellulite or stretch marks.
• This procedure helps you achieve more positive results to your body with precise results and very quick recovery times.

In recent years, doctors who perform liposuction have improved on the traditional technique to make it safer, easier, and less painful. These newer techniques include:
Tumescent liposuction. This is considered the safest and most effective liposuction technique, with the quickest recovery time. In tumescent liposuction, a large amount of an anesthetic solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the fatty tissue before traditional liposuction is performed. The solution makes the fat expand and become firmer, which allows the cannula to move more smoothly under the skin. It also causes the blood vessels to shrink temporarily (vasoconstriction), which greatly reduces blood loss during the procedure. With the large volume of anesthetic solution injected, tumescent liposuction rarely requires general anesthesia (which makes you sleep through the procedure) and thus does not carry some of the risks of traditional liposuction. It also reduces bruising, swelling, and pain after the procedure.

Ultrasound-assisted (ultrasonic) liposuction. This newer technique uses energy generated by ultrasound to liquefy the fat before it is removed. The cannula moves more smoothly under the skin once the fat has been liquefied, so this technique may be particularly helpful in areas where the fat is very firm or fibrous (such as the sides, the back, male breasts, and the area around the navel). It may also be used when removing large amounts of fat. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction may take 2 to 4 hours longer than traditional or tumescent liposuction.
Liposuction is usually done as an outpatient procedure in a properly equipped doctor's office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital. In general, it does not require an overnight hospital stay unless a large volume of fat is being removed. Local anesthesia is used in most cases, and you may or may not be given a sedative to help relax. If traditional (non-tumescent) liposuction is being done, or if a large area or volume of fat is being treated, general anesthesia or deep sedation with a local anesthetic may be used.

Is liposuction for you?

Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods. If you have realistic expectations then this procedure can help enhance your appearance and self-confidence. For example, Jenna (pictured left) could not lose the extra fat from the birthof her children, so she chose liposuction and breast implants to give her back the body she had before her children. She is extremely pleased with the results! If age is a concern, you should know that your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have decreased skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.

Possible risks and side-effects of liposuction

Liposuction is normally a safe and uncomplicated procedure. By selecting an accredited surgeon with experience and following his or her instructions, you will ensure that any possible risks will be kept to a minimum. However, as with all surgeries complications do occur, albeit rarely. These include infection, delays in healing, formation of fat clots or blood clots, excessive fluid loss, friction burns or damage to the skin, and unfavorable drug reactions. The scars from liposuction are usually quite small and are strategically placed to be hidden from view.

Planning and preparing for your surgery

If you decide to have a liposuction, than the first step is to have an initial consultation with your surgeon. Here, he or she will evaluate your health and determine where your fat deposits lie and the integrity of your skin. Your surgeon will help to answer any questions you may have as well as explaining the procedure in detail and explaining its risk and limitations. Together, you will decide on which is the right treatment for you. This will take into consideration effectiveness, safety, cost and appropriateness for your needs.

Before the date of your surgery, your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how top prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking, vitamins and medications. It will probably be recommended that you arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and help you out at home for a couple of days. Be sure to follow your surgeon's instructions as this will help limit any possibility of complications that may arise during the procedure.

Liposuction surgery

Liposuction is normally performed in a surgeon's office, surgical center, or a hospital and rarely requires overnight stay. Depending on the amount of fat and body sites involved a local or general anesthetic will be used. Most procedures are done with just local or regional anesthesia which numbs the affected areas. However, if you prefer, or if a large volume of fat is being removed, a general anesthesia may be done in which case you will be complete asleep during the procedure.

The surgeon will then make a tiny incision in the skin through which a narrow tube will be inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies underneath the skin. Sometimes, a fluid solution is injected into the fatty areas before the fat is removed, in order for the fat to be removed more easily. This fluid may also help reduce blood loss, provide anesthesia during and after the surgery, and help reduce the amount of bruising after surgery. If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next are, working to keep the incisions as small and hidden as possible. During this procedure, you will be receiving intravenous fluid to replace any fluid that is lost along with the fat.

Returning to you normal activities

After surgery, in order to control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Some antibiotics may also be prescribed to protect you from infection. Also, it is not uncommon to experience some fluid leakage from the site of incisions. This will decrease as time goes on.
Although you may experience some pain or numbness after the surgery, the newer techniques help reduce these post-operative discomforts. More severe pain can be controlled by prescription medication prescribed by your surgeon. As the days progress you will begin to look and feel better.

You will begin to feel better about a week after the procedure and should be able to be back at work within a few days following your surgery. It is best to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. More strenuous activity and sports should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal.

Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed.

The new you

Soon after the surgery you will se a noticeable difference in the shape of your body. After about six to eight weeks the changes in your body will become even more apparent. You will find that you will be very pleased with your surgery and that you a are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with our body. Further, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise you can make sure that you can maintain your new shape.