Liposuction
Liposuction:
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure whereby fat is suctioned out of the body from specific areas of localized fat deposits. This type of procedure can also be known by the terms suction-assisted lipectomy or lipoplasty. Liposuction is not considered “weight loss” surgery as its aim is to reshape and redefine the contours of the areas in the body that are resistant to reduction using more traditional diet and exercise.
Who Is a Good Candidate:
Liposuction is of most beneficial to individuals who are at or near their ideal weight (within 30%) but still have disproportionate localized deposits of fat that do not appear to benefit from the effects of exercise and dieting. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy non-smokers, who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome.
An ideal liposuction candidate will have good skin elasticity and muscle tone. In fact, if a patient has lost a significant amount of weight and has an amount of loose hanging skin, liposuction may only exacerbate those problems.
What Liposuction Cannot Do:
Liposuction can’t take off that extra 50 pounds you’ve gained over the last 10 years. Generally, the amount of fat removed during a typical liposuction surgery ranges from 1 to 10 pounds. While more fat can be removed, large volume liposuction is associated with increased safety risks, skin rippling, and contour irregularities.
Liposuction will not generally reduce cellulite. However, there are some newer treatments that show promise in this regard, such as SmartLipo, acoustic wave therapy, and the Rejuveskin procedure, any of which may be able to be performed as a complementary procedure in addition to traditional liposuction.
Pre-Operative Considerations:
You will be examined by your surgeon, and pre-op lab tests will be ordered, to confirm your health status. This examination will include a full health history and most likely a detailed weight history. He or she may also require that you adjust, cease, or begin taking certain medications — including avoiding aspirin, many anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements — for 2 weeks prior to surgery.
Recovery & Downtime :
Most patients can return to sedentary work (desk jobs) after just 2 to 3 days. Strenuous work or exercise should not be resumed until at least 2 to 3 weeks later, depending on the extent of your procedure and which areas have been treated. As with all surgery, it is important to understand that these guidelines can vary widely based on a patient’s health, the techniques used, and other variables surrounding the surgery. It is important to take care not to subject the incision sites to excessive force, abrasion, or motion during the healing stage. Any severe pain should be reported to your physician.
Risks & Complications :
Risks and possible complications include:
- excessive bleeding or hematoma
- necrosis (tissue death)
- fat clots
- anesthesia risks
- persistent swelling or pain
- asymmetry
- changes in skin sensation
- deep vein thrombosis
- cardiac and pulmonary complications
- damage to nerves, blood vessels, muscles and organs
- unfavorable scarring, skin discoloration, contour irregularities, sagging of the skin, or other unsatisfactory aesthetic results
- need for additional surgery
Call your surgeon immediately if chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual heartbeats or excessive bleeding occur after the surgery.
Costs:
The total cost of liposuction varies widely depending on the size and number of areas being treated, as well as the specific techniques used. The range per treated area is usually between $2,000 and $4,000, but it can be as wide as $1,500 to 7,500. The differences in cost have to do with the complexity of the procedure, your geographical area, and your surgeon’s skills, qualifications, and reputation. Some surgeons may even offer substantial discounts for multiple areas carried out in the same surgery. Total costs include surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility and lab fees, medications, and compression garments.
Complementary Procedures:
As many women look to liposuction as a means of balancing out the proportions of the body, it is often done alongside a breast augmentation or breast lift. Furthermore, for patients who also have loose skin in addition to excess fat in some areas, a tummy tuck or body lift procedure may be performed to enhance the patient’s overall result. For some, a breast reduction (via traditional techniques or via liposuction) may be chosen as well.
Seeing Your Results :
Swelling and bruising can be significant with liposuction, post-op, so results can not be fully judged for a period of at least 1 to 3 months after surgery. While most bruising will fade within 2 to 4 weeks, some residual swelling may take as long as six months to resolve fully. Modern liposuction usually involves the use of very small incisions, which generally fade over time to be virtually undetectable. The intended result of liposuction surgery is a more refined contour and better-balanced body proportions. For more information, please see “How Long Will the Results of My Liposuction Last?”
How Liposuction is Done:
1. Pre-Op Preparations
Pre-op photos are taken by the surgeon and he will also mark targeted areas on the body while the patient is in a standing position. IV fluid lines will often be put in place to help regulate fluid levels during surgery. The patient maybe placed on monitors as well, to keep track of heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels during the procedure.
2. Anesthesia Is Administered
Medications are used for the comfort of the patient, during the procedure. Sometimes, a general anesthetic is used so that they will be asleep for the procedure. However, liposuction may also be performed using a combination of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. The surgeon will recommend the best choice for the patient.
3. Incisions Are Made
Liposuction incisions are usually very small (about 1/8- to 1/2-inch each) and your surgeon will take care to place the incisions where they will be well hidden in natural body creases whenever possible. Often, when treating larger areas, multiple incisions are made for each treated area.
4. The Fat is Prepared for Suctioning
There are a variety of techniques available to today’s plastic surgery patients, which I’ve detailed for you in the following article: Today’s Options in Liposuction Techniques
5. The Fat is Suctioned
Cannulas (small hollow metal tubes) are inserted through the incisions. The cannulas are moved in a controlled back and forth motion to loosen and suction the fat, which is drained through the tubes into waiting containers.
6. Incisions Are Closed
The incisions are closed with surgical sutures. Sometimes, small tubes will be placed at incision sites to help drain excess fluid.
7. Post-Op Care and Instructions
Post surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery area where they will likely be given a compression garment to wear to control swelling in the treated areas and help the skin conform to it’s new body shape. The patient will probably go home after a few hours, unless the surgeon determines that they need an overnight stay in the facility. When the patient does return home, arrangements should be made for someone to drive them to and from surgery and stay with them for at least 24 hours.
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