Liposuction Surgery / Fat Removal

Many men and women of all ages are facing the problem of having stubborn pockets of unwanted fat. Even with exercise and a healthy diet, some areas of fat remain. If you have problem areas caused by stubborn fat and seek a smoother body contour, liposuction may offer the enhancement you seek.

Liposuction (lipoplasty) tries to reduce the problem of unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body, face or neck. It can be used to contour the thighs and hips, smooth the abdomen, contour the calves or try helping in reducing a double chin.

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

Men and women of all ages and body types can benefit from liposuction treatments. It should be noted, however, that liposuction is not a weight loss program, but a procedure used to contour or body sculpt the body. Candidates should already be fairly close to their ideal weight before undergoing liposuction. The procedure is commonly sought by people who have deposits of excess fat making certain areas appear disproportionately large.

Though people of almost any age can be apt candidates for liposuction, but good skin elasticity is preferably required to achieve a smooth contour. You may be a good candidate for liposuction if you seek fat removal or contouring in any of the following areas:

1. Abdomen and midriff
2. Flanks and hips
3. Inner and Outer Thighs
4. Anterior and Posterior Thighs
5. Inner knees
6. Back and breasts
7. Chin and neck
8. Arms
9. Calves

There tends to be some confusion as to what the procedure can and cannot do which are:

Liposuction can

1. Be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures or sometimes in several areas at once. Though there may be additional risks involved with combining procedures, your plastic surgeon can help you to evaluate these risks and decide, which combinations are safe to undergo.
2. May be used as an additional treatment for gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)

Liposuction can’t

1. Serve as a substitute for dieting and exercise
2. Treat cellulite

Issues you should be prepared to discuss during consultation include:

1. Medical conditions, both past and present
2. Current medications, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies
3. Previous surgeries
4. Weight loss history and goals

Since some medical conditions may complicate a liposuction procedure, you should be prepared to discuss any conditions you may have such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. Any surgeries you’ve undergone near the targeted area may also complicate the procedure and should be discussed with your Surgeon at the beginning.

Depending on the areas in which you would like treatment, you may be asked to undress for assessment of the extent of correction needed. Be prepared to discuss your specific treatment goals and to point out the exact areas where you would like to see improvement. Our Surgeon will likely assess your skin elasticity the thickness of the underlying fat in the target area. He will also check your weight and ask if you are planning to lose or gain weight in the future. Weight fluctuation after liposuction can affect the contouring results achieved.

What does liposuction entail?

Liposuction uses small incisions made near the treatment area. These incisions are concealed within the body’s natural folds whenever possible. A thin hollow tube is inserted through the incisions for breaking apart and aspiring out unwanted fat using a vacuum-pressure unit, or in some cases, a hand-held syringe.

There are currently several variations to the basic liposuction technique. The method our Plastic Surgeon uses with you depends upon your individual features, physical needs and aesthetic goals.

Tumescent Liposuction: a technique where fat is pre-injected with a dilute solution of saline and small amounts of adrenaline. This technique reduces bleeding, swelling, and fluid loss and offers a shorter period of recovery than traditional methods.

Ultrasound assisted lipoplasty: a two step technique using sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is aspired out.

Are there safety concerns associated with liposuction?

Though thousands of women undergo liposuction each year and experience no major complications, the procedure does carry some degree risk. It is important you to be well informed of these risks when considering Liposuction. Our Surgeon will discuss about the potential risks and complications as one of the most important aspects of patient consultation. During your consultation, potential complications will be discussed with you, listened to your safety questions, and offer instructions on how to minimize your risk.

How should I prepare for my liposuction procedure?

It is important to follow our Pre-Operation instructions when preparing for liposuction surgery to ensure the best possible results. Those instructions may include:

Refraining from smoking for several weeks before and after surgery

Avoiding certain medications

Arranging for help following surgery, such as a ride home and in-home care for the first 24 hours

What will happen the day of my surgery?

Liposuction is generally performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the day of surgery.

During surgery, medications will be administered to ensure comfort. General anesthesia will most likely be used to allow you to sleep during the procedure.

What should I expect during my recovery?

When the procedure is complete, you will be taken to a recovery area wearing a compression garment over the treatment area. The garment is used to aid healing and control swelling and should be worn continuously throughout your first stage of healing. Though you may experience some soreness, it is generally well-controlled with medication.

You will be encouraged to get out of bed shortly after the surgery. Keep in mind that the speed of your recovery depends largely on the extent of your surgery. Though everyone heals at a different pace, you can expect your recovery to roughly follow this general time line:

Within the first week

1. The swelling will reach its peak and then begin to subside.
2. You may return to non-strenuous work.
3. Your stitches may be removed

After several weeks

1. Bruises will fade and eventually disappear
2. You should regain normal sensation in treatment areas
3. Normal exercise and activities may be resumed
4. Swelling will continue to subside.

When will I begin to see my results?

After liposuction, your results will emerge gradually as your swelling and fluid retention subsides. Though you may notice some improvement in appearance after a couple of weeks, it may take three months or more for your final results to appear.

Usually a successful Liposuction procedure can help in achieving a prominent change in your appearance, as long as you maintain you postoperative weight. Patients report great improvement to their body contour after liposuction, rejoicing their smooth, sleek appearance and boosted in self-confidence.

Disclaimer – Result can vary from person to person