|
Liposuction
Background
The following information is to inform you about the
surgical procedure known as liposuction (liposculpture).
The procedure consists of the use of a cannula
(hollow, metal rod) and tiny incisions
to remove excess fatty deposits from various areas on the body. The
fat is removed by generating a negative suction. It is particularly
effective in removing fat from the lower face, neck, abdomen, hips,
flanks, thighs and knees. Liposuction is best suited for removing localized
fat deposits. While very effective, it has certain limitations and is not
a treatment for generalized obesity.
Who are the best
candidates for liposuction?
Patients who are in good health and have good skin elasticity are the best
candidates. In these patients the skin will contract well after surgery.
Patients that have frankly loose skin and/or stretch marks are often
better served by a procedure such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). I can
give you an assessment during your consultation as to whether liposuction
alone will suffice.
What type of anesthesia
do you recommend?
I use general anesthesia or sedation. It is important that you are
comfortable and don’t move during the operation. Some physicians
recommend doing it in their office with local anesthesia only. I strongly
discourage this.
Can I go home the same
day?
It depends on how much liposuction you have done. If the amount is small
or moderate you can go home. If larger amounts are removed you will be
required to stay overnight.
How is the procedure actually done?
Small incisions are made around each site to be
treated. The incisions are about ¼ inch long. A saline solution is then
injected in the area to be treated. It contains an anesthetic agent and a
medication to shrink blood vessels and reduce bleeding. This is known as
“tumescent liposuction”. The fat is then removed gradually until the
area is smooth.
What is the post operative care?
You will be allowed to shower the day after surgery.
Some simple care of the incisions is required. The sutures are removed
about one week after surgery.
What is ultrasonic liposuction?
This involves the use of ultrasound to cause the
cannula tip to vibrate rapidly. This causes the fat to break up and then
it is suctioned out. It is a powerful technique but has a higher risk of
complications than tumescent liposuction and probably offers no advantage
for most patients.
Is it painful and what is the recovery time?
The level of pain with liposuction varies. Most
patients feel very sore but most don’t complain of severe pain. You will
be up and walking the day of surgery. You will wear a tight-fitting
garment full time for two weeks (you may remove it to bathe). The most
important point is that liposuction does cause a lot of bruising and
swelling. Bruising is usually gone in 2-3 weeks. It takes 6-8 weeks for
most of the swelling to dissipate and up to six months for final results.
What are my restrictions after surgery?
The restrictions are minimal. Since the incisions are
so tiny there is no danger of pulling them apart. Your limitations mainly
depend on how well you feel. Although this is not recommended, I have had
patients who have exercised the day after the procedure.
I have heard it is dangerous?
Overall, liposuction is one of the safest surgical
procedures. There have, however, been well-publicized cases of
complications and even death. These are rare and have occurred most
commonly when the procedure was done in poorly-equipped facilities or when
patients are sent home after a large amount of liposuction.
What are the most common complaints?
Most common would be an area of unevenness or a
depression. This can usually readily be corrected. There is always some
numbness but feeling usually recovers completely once the swelling resolves.
Bleeding and infection are extremely rare.
What if I gain weight afterward?
Liposuction is not a license to avoid exercise and
eat an unhealthy diet. Patients who put on weight after liposuction
usually gain it in other places. This is because the number of fat cells in
a given area is constant once we reach adulthood. Liposuction reduces that
number of and permanently
alters one’s proportions.
|
