Overview of Liposuction Plastic Surgery
Liposuction, or suction assisted lipectomy or fat suction is a technique to remove unwanted fatty deposits from specific areas of the body. This can include areas such as the stomach, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, hips, knees, calves, ankles, the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms and breasts. It must be remembered that Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, but rather a body sculpting tool for removing fatty deposits in local areas that don’t respond to diet or exercise.
Who is the best Candidate?
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, are 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
During the initial consultation with your Surgeon, he 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 with your Doctor, remember to mention medications that you may be taking, and to tell him 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
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.
Liposuction is an extremely rewarding procedure performed with minimal intervention, producing an enhanced aesthetic appearance. Results can be permanent with continued care. This Surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as Abdominoplasty. It is body sculpting Surgery, and is wonderful in removing those stubborn bulges!
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