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Things you must know about Liposuction

by Larry Oshiola Medical Consultant

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery that is also referred to as lipoplasty, liposculpture suction lipectomy or lipo. Liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedure performed on people with stable body weight and wanting removal of excessive fat deposited between skin and muscles.

Liposuction encompasses a breakup and suction of fat from the target areas of the body such as:

Abdomen

Upper arms

Chin and Neck

Chest

Buttocks

Hips and Flanks

Thighs- outer and inner

Calves and Ankles

Back

During liposuction, small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes called cannulas are inserted through micro cuts in the skin. Fat is sucked by applying powerful, high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula. Each target area of the body is treated independently to improve the shape, appearance and contours of their body.

Fast facts on liposuction

Some of the fast facts about liposuction include:

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure

Liposuction is basically a cosmetic procedure and not a weight loss process

Performed under general anesthesia

It is often used to treat medical conditions

Risks of anesthesia, numbness scarring and infection

Uses

Liposuction permanently removes fat cells, altering the shape to improve the appearance of the body. It is recommended when dietary and lifestyle changes fail to produce the desired outcome.

Benefits

In addition to improving body shape and contours, liposuction surgery is also performed to treat certain medical conditions such as:

Lymphedema

Gynecomastia

Lipodystrophy syndrome

Extreme weight loss after obesity

Lipomas (Benign Fatty Tumors)

Liposuction produces positive effects on body shape and appearance and helps:

Removing fat safely

Reducing cellulite or improvement in the appearance of cellulite

Improving body functions and health due to fat loss

Treating excessive sweating, especially in the armpit areas

Boosting self-esteem and builds self-confidence

The operation

Prior to the liposuction surgery, tests are conducted to ensure their fitness and are advised to:

Stop taking NSAIDs - anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs at least 2 weeks before surgery

Supplementation of haematinics to anaemic patients

Women are required to stop taking contraceptive pills

During the operation

Patients are usually given general anaesthetic or epidural anaesthesia before the procedure depending upon the individual case. Sometimes Epidural anaesthesia is also given while performing liposuction on the lower body.

A local anaesthetic is given when liposuction is done on very small areas.

Liposuction Techniques

Liposuction surgery in India is performed through various latest surgical techniques that include:

Tumescent technique

Suction Assisted Liposuction

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

Power-Assisted Liposuction

Twin Cannula Assisted Liposuction

External Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

Water Assisted Liposuction

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

After the liposuction operation

After liposuction, the patients who are given general anaesthesia may have to spend a night in hospital whereas most patients, who had local anesthesia, are able to leave hospital on the same day.

Bruising is possible in the target area and hence patients are given:

supportive elasticized support corset or bandages for target area

Preventive Antibiotic against infection

Analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory medication to relieve pain and inflammation

The stitches are removed by the surgeon during follow-up visits. However, numbness in target areas may take 6-8 weeks in disappearing.

Results

Once the inflammation subsides, the results of liposuction will be evident. It usually takes about 4 weeks and the target area will appear in the desired shape.

People will be required to follow a balanced diet, exercise and lead a quality lifestyle to maintain results permanently.