Who is the best Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction works best for patients of relatively normal weight but who have forms of ‘lipodystrophy’ – or accumulation of fatty deposits in particular areas. If you are physically healthy, a non-smoker, and have firm, elastic skin you will more than likely get a better final contour. Liposuction is not recommended if you have poor blood circulation in the area of local fat accumulation, nor if you have heart or lung disease.
You should also understand that Liposuction is not the answer to improving cellulite, although it may become less noticeable after the dimpled fatty deposits are removed. If you gain weight after suction, the fatty deposits are less likely to return to the area that has been suctioned, but they may accumulate in other areas that previously weren’t a problem.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Liposuction is considered a Cosmetic procedure, so you won’t be eligible for any Medicare or health fund rebates. However, you are required to get a referral from your General Practitioner before booking your first consultation.

You will have two consultations at our Practice. At the initial consultation, you will undertake an assessment for Body Dysmorphia, a condition causing intense focus, shame and anxiety over perceived body defects.  At this appointment you will also be given the paperwork for your possible surgery and go through this with our practitioner, discussing the procedure and associated risks and recovery requirements. Be frank in your discussions and remember to mention any medications that you are taking and whether or not you are a smoker.

At the second consultation, your Surgeon will evaluate your health and suitability for this surgery and discuss your options, the surgery and aspects surrounding this surgery. We encourage you to be open and discuss any queries that you may have. During the consultation, remember to mention medications that you may be taking and if you smoke.

SURGERY

For large volumes of Liposuction or multiple areas, we recommend a General Anaesthetic either performed as day surgery or overnight hospital stay. The skin is firstly painted with antiseptic. Tumescent fluid, which consists of saline and a local anaesthetic, is injected into the fatty areas to reduce bleeding and allow the fat to be removed more easily. A small incision just large enough to allow the suction cannula to fit through is made in the skin. This cannula is attached to a suction machine. The cannula is manipulated around under the skin and into the deep layers of fat, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. It is usual for several incisions to be made around the area so that an even suction can be obtained in that area.

RISK

All surgery carries some risk and uncertainty. It is impossible to predict every outcome because everyone is different. Liposuction is normally a safe procedure providing the clients have been carefully selected, the surgeon is adequately trained in the procedure as well as having training in General Surgery.

AFTER SURGERY

Liposuction is invasive surgery and has a significant recovery timeframe and limitations and aftercare requirements. You will have an opportunity to discuss recovery expectations with your Surgeon at your Consultation and will receive detailed information prior to surgery in your Informed Consent paperwork.

You will need to organise a responsible adult carer to take care of you in the first five days following your Surgery. This person will need to take you home from the Hospital and assist you in traveling to and from your nursing appointments, as well as assist in your general care at home.

Follow-up care and wound checks are performed by our nursing staff at our rooms on a regular basis in the post-operative stage. You will have dressings, bandages and drains, which will be assessed by our team and removed when appropriate. You will also have a compression garment which you must wear at all times for the first week.

Pain may vary from mild to severe and will be managed by your Surgeon with pain relief. Swelling (which can be helped with application of ice packs), bruising and nausea is also likely. You may have trouble sleeping.

We suggest that regular gentle exercise occurs after your Surgery and this will encourage skin retraction and improve body contour, as well as maintaining or even adding to weight loss if required. You should be able to return to work within two weeks, however, this depends on the type of work that you do. You should discuss this with your Surgeon preoperatively and then again postoperatively when your progress can be assessed.