Planning lipectomy suction
Lipoplasty today is among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for men and women alike. A procedure designed to remove excess fat through a suctioning process.
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation which removes fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, to neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere.
Applying liposuction techniques may be an option for permanently removing fat deposits. Liposuction is not a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet.
Liposuction is not a means to lose weight however in special cases liposuction may help patients who are obese and who have been put on calorie-restricted diets and exercise regimens.
The amount of fat removed varies by doctor, method, and patient, but the average amount is typically less than 10 pounds (5 kg). There are several factors that limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session.
Ultimately, the operating physician and the patient make the decision about amount of removed fat. There are negative aspects to removing too much fat. Unusual "lumpiness" and/or "dents" in the skin can be seen in those patients "over-suctioned". The more fat removed the higher the surgical risk.
The liposuction candidate should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure. No surgeon would agree to work on a mentally/emotionally unstable person. Not out of discrimination, but for reasons which may trigger a deeper depression or possessiveness during the healing process.
Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured.
In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin.
If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas.
Some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. If this is the case, a nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist will be called in to make sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.
The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon's preference. If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.
During the liposuction operation your plastic surgeon will make a cut in your skin and insert a thin metal tube called a cannula. The cannula is moved around and fat is sucked out using a vacuum pump or syringe. For larger areas, more than one cut may be used to reach all the fatty deposits that are being treated.
Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it's crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.
After liposuction procedure, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up.
Pain after liposuction can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.
It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following liposuction procedure. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to look and feel better.
You will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to 10 days.
If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape.
Liposuction can change the shape of the body but it cannot improve cellulite or stretch marks. It is not intended for weight control and is not a substitute for regular physical activity and a healthy balanced diet.
