Liposuction

Liposuction has many names such as liposculpture, lipoplasty and suction lipectomy
Liposuction means removing fat at different places through cosmetic surgery. For an
example you can target areas such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks,
neck, and back of the arms. A hollow tube called a cannula, and a
suction device called an aspirator is used.

As we all know some fat deposits may not reduce because of dieting and
exercising. For such areas liposuction is the best option.

You may have negative aspects to removing fat in any area. There are
many factors which limit the fat removal from the body in one session.
Both the doctor and the patient should discuss this matter. If too much
is removed, you may see lumpiness and/or indentations on the skin. The
surgical risk becomes higher when more fat is being removed. We can say
that the more fat that is removed the more the risk rises.

Popularity:

In USA 68 % of the population is over weight. This makes it predictable
that liposuction is very frequently performed there. Normally it is
used to remove only 10 to 15 pounds off the body. Removing more fat
than that can be life threatening and impossible too. The American
society of plastic surgeons defines large as 5 liters.

Frequent areas performed are:

1. The abdomen and thighs in women.

2. The abdomen and flanks in men.

Candidacy required for liposuction:

Not every person is eligible for liposuction. It’s not a good
alternative for dieting and exercising.

A person needs to be

1. over 18

2. healthy surgical candidate

3. A person who has already tried the diet and
exercise regime and still found the 10 or 15 pounds remaining on the
body.

Different techniques of liposuction:

These can be categorized by the amount of fluid injected and by the
mechanism in which the cannula works

The amount of fluid injection:

1. dry liposuction

This
method is rarely used these days.

2. wet liposuction

A
technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas
before the fat is removed. The liquid contains

• Lidocaine: as a local anesthetic

• Epinephrine: to contract the blood vessels and thus
minimize bleeding

• a salt solution.

3. superwet
liposuction

This technique is preferred for high volume liposuction. This technique
is similar to the tumescent , except that lesser amounts of fluid are
used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of
fat to be removed.

4. tumescent
liposuction

In the tumescent technique, the fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt
solution, lidocaine and epinephrine helps the fat to be removed more
easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after
surgery. Bruising and swelling are reduced with fluid injection.

Mechanism of liposuction

1. Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)

2. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)

3. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)

4. External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL or
EUAL)

Things to do before the surgery
[liposuction]:

There are some important things to be noted like

1. Antinflammatory & anticoagulants should not be
taken for two weeks before the surgery.

2. Fasting from midnight the night before is required
if the surgery will be done in the morning, and if you are given
general anesthesia.

3. If local anesthesia is given then you need not go
through the fasting.

4. Smoking is to be avioded for 2 weeks
pre-operatively.

Procedure of the liposuction surgery:

1. Before the surgery starts the surgeon should
discuss the areas where the fat will be removed and also discuss the
realistic outcome. The patient should be in agreement with the surgical
plan.

2. Then as per the procedure the consent form is to
be signed i.e. on the pre-op appointment.

3. There is a photo session at the pre-opertive
appointment.

4. The area where the fat is to be removed is marked
in the standing position.

5. IV will be started.

6. A prep solution such as Betadine is applied on the
area where the fat is to be removed.

7. Local anesthetic is injected (and the person may
also be given a sedative orally or through injection).

8. As the person will be losing fat and fluid
therefore there would be a fluid line.

9. The rest would be like any other surgery.
Monitoring includes blood pressure check, heart rate check, and blood
oxygen level.

10. If general anesthesia is given then the
patient can go home the same day as the operation.

Recovery

1. Ace bandage or a compression garnment will be worn
for 3 weeks.

2. Bandages should be changed as directed.

3. Sutures will be removed after five to ten days.

4. Pain killers can be taken as per the prescription.

5. Numbness may last for several weeks

6. Swelling and bruising will subside after a few
days.

7. Normal work can be resumed according to the
Doctors recommendation.

Side effects

1. Bruising

2. Swelling

3. Scars

4. Discomfort

5. Numbness

6. Limited mobility

Things to do to recover quickly:

1. Drinking plenty of water.

2. Avoiding alcohol

3. Avoiding the ice packs and heating packs

4. Working less and following the instructions given
by the doctor.

Author Profile:
The author Tasha Haskell is with Sadrian Cosmetic Surgery and is an expert on cosmetic surgery procedures.

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