Liposuction
What is liposuction?
Liposuction (from Greek “lipos” - fat and English “suction”) is an aesthetic
surgery procedure that vacuums fat deposits from under the skin. How we feel
about ourselves greatly influences our self-esteem, social adaptation and very
often career and personal life. This is why liposuction is one of the most
popular plastic surgery procedures as it can make big changes in our
appearance within a short period of time.
Liposuction is also known as lipoplasty, liposculpture, suction-assisted
lipectomy, or suction lipectomy. This technique removes unwanted fat deposits
from specific areas of the body, such as thighs, hips, calves, abdomen, arms,
neck, chin and other body areas. This method has been developed about 20 years
ago in France and is now widely used all over the world.
Indications for liposuction
Liposuction is performed if body contours are deformed, in case of so-called
“fat traps” when adipose tissue is accumulated in particular body areas. Most
often fat traps are located on thighs, hips (forming well-known “saddlebags”),
inside surface of knee-joints, lower part of abdomen. Liposuction is very
rarely used for obesity treatment. This condition requires a comprehensive
approach, and such an intrusive measure as fat extraction is not used in this
case to correct body contours.
Liposuction can be performed separately or in conjunction with other
surgeries, e.g. abdominoplasty or face rejuvenation. It allows decreasing or
elimination of local fat depositions and can be used to improve body contours
and general appearance. This surgery is not meant for obesity treatment or
body weight reduction. Best indication for liposuction may be removal of
localized, exercise-resistant fatty deposits on generally physically fit and
healthy people.
Can liposuction eliminate cellulite?
Liposuction is not meant for cellulite elimination. However certain
improvement can be observed after the surgery because of decrease of fat
deposits.
Is hospitalization necessary?
It depends on the extent of intervention and general health condition. Usual
duration of hospital stay is 1-3 days.
How is liposuction performed?
Liposuction is a surgical correction of body contours through removal of fat
depositions with the help of vacuum-suction. The procedure can be performed
under local or general anesthesia depending on the volume of the surgery.
Physiological solution with anesthetic, adrenaline (for blood vessels
contraction), and ferments for adipose tissue destruction is injected through
small skin incisions 1-1.5 cm long. Typically smaller incisions are used for
areas that are more visible, such as the neck and face, to reduce scarring.
Then a long hollow needle called a cannula is inserted into an incision and
connected to the vacuum-suction system. The fat deposits are then sucked into
the vacuum through a tube connected to the cannula. The most common
liposuction cannulas are 3 mm, but the cannulas can be as large as 6 mm or as
small as 1.5 mm. Ultrasound is used to increase fat destruction effect.
Ultrasound liposuction is more effective and less traumatic; therefore it is
more acceptable for the patient.
It is necessary to wear special elastic underwear for some time after the
surgery to decrease the edemata and promote proper skin contraction.
Are any scars left?
As skin incisions are very small (about 1-1.5 cm), cicatrices are virtually
unnoticeable
Are there any side effects?
The skin will be swollen, bruised and sore in the liposuction area. This
condition can remain for several days or weeks after the surgery but will
eventually pass. Recovery time varies depending on your age, body weight,
body area treated, and the nature of your work and activities.
When is it possible to return to normal life after liposuction?
This is an individual issue. Most patients can renew usual social activity in
a week after the surgery. Often this period is even shorter. In some cases it
increases; it depends upon the extent of intervention, age, health condition,
and other factors.
Advantages of liposuction
Liposuction is a low-traumatic surgery allowing rapid recovery and immediate
results. It has no serious complications, or, to be precise, they occur very
rarely. The probability of recurrent fat accumulation in fat traps after
liposuction is significantly reduced because connective tissue is forming in
these areas.
Liposuction removes fat from areas that have little response to dieting and
exercise without large incisions and therefore practically doesn’t leave any
scars and rough deformations.
What results can be achieved with liposuction?
Liposuction can produce dramatic results for many people. It works best in
conjunction with proper diet and exercise and in many cases for achieving
results it is necessary to combine liposuction with surgical lipectomy
(removal of cellulocutaneous flaps), abdominoplasty and other surgeries.
In any case it is important to remember that the surgery can result in
improvement but not in absolute perfection. If your expectations are
realistic, you will most likely be pleased with the changes in your body
shape.
How stable are liposuction results?
Usually removed fat does not form again in the area where it has been
removed. If body weight does not increase after the surgery then liposuction
effects are permanent. If you do not follow a healthy diet, adipose tissue
can accumulate in the adjacent area.
Is liposuction painful?
Since the surgery is performed under anesthesia, you will not feel pain,
maybe just mild discomfort. The choice of anesthesia depends on the extent
of surgical intervention. Local anesthesia can be used if the volume of
extracted fat is small (up to 1.5 liters) and for local forms of depositions.
Lidocaine solution is used as an anesthetic. General anesthesia is used if
fat is extracted in three or more areas and if its volume is high.
Possible complications
Complications after liposuction are rare but can occur in a small percentage
of patients. Common complications are fat embolism (blood vessels plugging up
with fat nubbins), tromboembolism (blood vessels plugging up with blood
clots), and anemia (at big volumes of liposuctions). Local complications
include appearance of contour irregularities, secondary infection, liquid
outflow disturbance (edemata), and skin sensitivity disturbance.
If you have more questions about a liposuction, do not hesitate to
contact us.
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