Liposuction cosmetic surgery (lipoplasty) for the perfect body.

Liposuction Plastic surgery body liposuction

Liposuction Surgery

Liposuction Plastic Surgery - Definition

Liposuction is a simple surgical technique that improves the body contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle. Liposuction also known as lipoplasty involves the use of a small stainless steel tube (cannula) connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. These tiny tunnels collapse after some time.

The Need for Liposuction Plastic Surgery

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is the dream cosmetic procedure for some men and women. With its promise of removing excess fat cells, who can’t think of an area that they would like to have liposuction performed on? The face, the lower body, abdomen, and back are just some of the many areas that can be helped by liposuction. Also known as suction lipoplasty, liposuction has gone through many refinements and improvements to make it a safe and effective way to reduce fat in areas that a patient can not reduce through diet and exercise.

The Best Candidates for Liposuction

The best candidates for liposuction are those that have already tried to reduce the affected area through diet and exercise. Candidates for liposuction should be in good shape and in a normal weight range. The more fit a patient is, the more likely their skin is elastic enough to return to a better position. Liposuction patients that are younger have better elasticity in their skin and thus achieve better results. Liposuction may not be a good option for some patients with certain medical conditions—diabetes, heart problems, lung disease, circulation problems, and recent surgery. It is also good to note that like other cosmetic procedures, liposuction can not attain perfection for any patient. A patient who goes into liposuction with a realistic expectation of the results will benefit the most from the procedure.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery - Consultation

At the initial consultation, the liposuction surgeon will talk to the patient about their medical history and any current medications or conditions. It is important at this stage for a patient to disclose all medically relevant history so as to inform the physician of anything that may produce unwanted side effects and complications. At this visit, the physician will discuss these possible complications as well as anesthesia options that are available to the patient for the liposuction procedure. In some cases, photos may be taken of the patient to show the progress after the surgery. Some surgeons may have photos of previous liposuction patients so that the new patient can see what realistic results look like.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery - Procedure

After following the doctor’s orders prior to the liposuction procedure, the patient will be given the chosen anesthetic and taken to the operating room. Depending on the extent of the procedure, the liposuction may take place in a smaller surgical center or a hospital. The size and location of the area to receive liposuction will also determine the level of anesthesia. The amount of time liposuction will take to perform will also vary from patient to patient. Although there are many different methods of liposuction, the main method is sucking the excess fat cells out of the targeted area with a vacuum-like instrument. Since liquid is also removed with the fat, the surgeon is careful to replace the loss with IV fluids throughout the surgery.

One technique of liposuction is fluid injection in which the surgeon injects the area with fluid before removing any fat. This is the most commonly used technique today. The fluid is a salt-based solution along with anesthetic, and epinephrine. Liposuction is made easier with the injection of the solution. Using larger amounts of fluid is called a tumescent technique. The UAL or ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty is a liposuction technique in which the surgeon uses ultrasound waves to break up the fat cells. The broken up fat is then removed by the traditional liposuction technique. After the proper amount of fat is removed, the incision is closed—in some cases a drain is put in to alleviate any swelling—and the patient goes into the recovery room.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery - Risks

Though liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure, it does present a multitude of risks and these should be discussed between the patient and the surgeon prior to the surgery. Having a qualified and experienced liposuction practitioner will prevent most of the unnecessary complications. The larger the area that is treated, the greater the chance for infection, healing delay, fat or blood clots, excessive fluid loss, nerve damage, and anesthetic reactions. With the UAL technique, it is worth noting that the long term effects have not been studied since it is a newer procedure. Some scarring may occur at the incision sites. And in some cases, the liposuction is not performed correctly and produces uneven, dimpled results—leading the patient to need further surgery.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery - Aftereffects

After the liposuction, a patient will notice some fluid draining from the incision sites and this is normal. In some cases, a tube will be put into the site to help the draining process. An elastic garment may help to relieve the swelling following a liposuction. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent any infection. Pain, burning, and numbness are often reported after liposuction, but these are temporary complaints that will reverse themselves with time. Immediate results will not be visible following liposuction, so it is best that the patient be patient and wait until the swelling has gone down to determine the final results.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery - Recovery

Most doctors will want a patient to begin walking as soon as they can after a liposuction to prevent clots from forming. In a week or two, most patients are feeling better and can return to work in as littler as a few days following the liposuction. Stitches will be removed or will dissolve within seven to ten days. Normal activities can be resumed within a month or so, depending on the orders of the surgeon. And most of the swelling will subside within three weeks.

If a patient continues a healthy diet and exercise program, thus preventing new fat cells from emerging, the results can last a very long time. Liposuction can help a patient feel better about him/herself and boost self esteem exponentially.

Liposuction Cosmetic Surgery – Last words

Liposuction is one of the most performed cosmetic procedures, triggered by the desire to own a well-contoured body. 'Liposuction' has become a buzz word for its popularity, practices and ill-practices. Bad liposuction is also a common phenomenon, though the technology has become very sophisticated, as sometimes unskilled hands conduct the procedure.