Liposuction
Liposuction is an aesthetic fat removal procedure also known as lipectomy, liposculpture, lipoplasty, and fat modelling. It is an advance aesthetic and reconstructive surgical procedure mainly designed for body contouring and remodelling. The process of liposuction works by removing or reshaping excessive fat pockets. Surgery is designed to contour the problematic muscle fats from various body areas that don’t show an active response to diet and workout. There is a difference between liposuction and liposculpture. It involves removing excess fat deposits from larger body areas like the abdomen, hips, buttocks, lower leg, and upper arm.
About
What to Expect
The patient can expect to see results between one to three months, depending upon how much fat is being removed. The fat that is being removed is not able to grow back. But fat cells that remain in the treated area can get bigger with weight gain. Weight control with diet and exercise can help in maintaining the results of liposuction.
Key details
3h+ for the surgery (type dependant and the area)
Approximately 8-10 days for recovery
For ages 18 and above only
Multiple types of liposuction
About
Techniques
Various types of liposuction techniques are present. A surgeon can use two or more of the various methods in one session depending upon the patient’s condition and areas to be treated.
Some procedures may involve only local and regional anesthesia, while other processes may require general anesthesia. The patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels are monitored throughout the surgical procedure. The length of the process depends on the extent of fat removal; it may last up to several hours.
The following are the different techniques of liposuction:
- Suction assisted liposuction (SAL)
- Micro-cannula
- Lymph sparing liposuction (LSL)
- Tumescent Liposuction (TLA)
- Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)
- Water jet assisted liposuction (WAL)
- Fibro-Lympho-Lipo Aspiration (FLLA)
- Ultrasound-assisted liposuction
- Cryolypolysis or fat freezing
What to expect
During the surgery
During the surgical procedure, after administering local or general anesthesia, a small inconspicuous incision is made to carry out a fat removal procedure. A thin, hollow tube or cannula is inserted through the incision opening, and fat is being loosened by the cannula’s back and forth motion. The desired dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using the syringe or vacuum attached to the cannula.
What to expect
After the surgery
During the recovery procedure after liposuction, compression garments or elastic bandages cover the treated areas. These help in reducing swelling and help the body to compress the skin to new contours. Small temporary drains may also be placed under the skin to remove any excess blood and fluids.
About
Risks and Complications
The decision to have plastic surgery is personal, but the patient has to decide on the basis of risks and benefits ratio, either risks and complications associated with liposuction surgery are acceptable or not. Patients will usually be asked to sign the consent that they have completely understand the procedure and accept all the risks, complications, and side effects of surgery.
Although rare, these complications may include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Risks associated with anesthesia
- Changes in skin sensation that can persist longer
- Damage to deeper structures such as tissues, blood vessels, muscles, nerves, abdominal organs if in any case procedure is mishandled.
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications.
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation
- Irregular contour and symmetries
- Loose skin and cellulite
- Irregular pigmentation
- Need for revision surgery