Liposuction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction,  also  known  as  lipoplasty,  slims  and  reshapes  specific  areas  of  the  body  by  removing  excess  fat  deposits,  improving your body contours  and  proportion,  and  ultimately,  enhancing  your  self-image.

Despite  good health  and  a  reasonable  level  of  fitness, some  people  may  still  have  a  body  with  disproportionate contours  due  to  localized  fat deposits.  These  areas  may  be  due  to  family  traits  rather  than  a lack  of  weight   control  or fitness.

Liposuction  surgery  can  be  used  to  treat  stubborn  fat  pockets  in  many  parts  of  the body  including:

• Abdomen and waist

• Thighs, hips and buttocks

• Arms, neck and backInner knee

• Chest

• Cheeks and chin

• Calves and ankles

In some cases, liposuction is performed alone, in other cases it is used with plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift, breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.

Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity and is not a replacement for regular exercise and good eating habits. People with stubborn areas of fat and who exercise regularly are the best candidates for this procedure.

Liposuction recovery

Once your procedure is completed, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas. These help to control swelling after liposuction and compress the skin to your new body contours.

You will be given specific instructions that may include: How to care for the surgical site(s), medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?

• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?

• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?

• When will they be removed?Are stitches removed?

• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?

• When do I return for follow-up care?

Liposuction procedure steps

What happens during liposuction surgery?

Step 1 – AnesthesiaMedications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incisionLiposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.First, sterile liquid solution is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion.The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.Problem areas that can be addressed with liposuction:

Step 3 – See the resultsYour improved body contour will be apparent when the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced following liposuction subside.With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained. However, substantial weight gain can alter an otherwise permanent result.

Preparing for liposuction surgery

Before liposuction, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation

• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications

• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery

• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

• What to do on the day of surgery

• The use of anesthesia during your liposuction

• Post-operative care and follow-up

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