What you need to know about Liposuction?
Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Laith Barnouti explains what every patient should know about liposuction
Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, can help you remove isolated areas of excess fat and achieve an improved body contour. The outcome of liposuction is truly amazing.
If you’re considering having liposuction, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure.
What outcome can I expect from liposuction?
Liposuction can help improve your body contour by removing excess fat from specific areas such as abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, chin and cheeks. You cannot expect to lose a lot of weight with liposuction, but you can expect to get rid of fat deposits in isolated areas and improve your body contour and shape.
How is liposuction surgery performed?
Using a small incision, a small bore tube or cannula is inserted and used to suction off the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is alternately pushed and pulled through the layer of fat, suctioning fat cells as they are broken up. A vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the doctor's preference provides the suction. In cases where many sites are being treated, the surgeon then moves on to the next area, keeping the incisions in the most inconspicuous areas. The basic technique of liposuction, Fluid Injection also referred to as tumescent technique, is a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid helps remove the fat more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anaesthesia during the surgery. Fluid injection can, furthermore, also help reduce the bruising after surgery.
How long will the liposuction surgery take?
The duration of liposuction depends on the number of areas, the size of the area and the amount of fat to be removed.
Will anaesthesia be used during liposuction?
Yes, liposuction is performed under general anaesthesia. However, if only a small amount of fat is being suctioned, liposuction can sometimes be performed under local anaesthesia.
Is the liposuction surgery an inpatient or outpatient procedure?
Liposuction can be done as an inpatient or outpatient procedure. You may need to stay overnight in hospital if you are considering large volume liposuction.
Am I a candidate?
If you are normal weight with elastic skin but have certain areas of excess fat then you are likely to be a good candidate for liposuction. Liposuction surgery can help improve the shape of your body by removing isolated fatty areas but it cannot help you lose a lot of weight. It is important that you are physically healthy, psychologically stable and have realistic expectations to the outcome before you decide to undergo liposuction.
How do I prepare for liposuction?
You must fast 8 hours before the liposuction.
It is also important that you understand the procedure and the potential risk and complications.
How will the scar look?
The scars from liposuction are small (1 cm straight line) and hidden from view.
What side effects can I expect from liposuction?
You may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be managed with pain relief medication, but you may still feel sore for a few days. After surgery, you are likely to experience some fluid drainage, and sometimes a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin to prevent that fluid will build up. You may wear an elastic garment over the treated area for a few weeks to control the swelling. Most of the bruising and swelling will disappear within 3 weeks, but some swelling may remain for about 6 months from the liposuction.
How is the recovery after liposuction?
You will feel better after about 1-2 weeks after liposuction and the surgeon will encourage you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce the swelling and prevent the formation of blood clots that might be caused by liposuction. You should be able to return to work after only a few days, depending on the nature of your job. More strenuous activity should be avoided for 1 month. The stitches will be removed during your liposuction post-surgery follow up. The surgeon will tell you everything you need to know about liposuction post-surgery recovery and it is important that you follow his advice closely to ensure optimal healing.
Is the result from liposuction permanent?
The long term results of liposuction are normally long-lasting, but it will depend on your lifestyle and commitment to healthy diet and exercise after the liposuction procedure is done.
What are the risks and complications?
Liposuction is normally a safe procedure, but as with any kind of surgery there are certain risks and complications associated with liposuction. Risks increase if a great number of areas are treated at the same time, or if a large area is being treated. The plastic surgeon will advice you how many areas you can have liposuction on. Possible complications during liposuction include risk of infection, delayed healing, formation of fat clots or blood clots, excessive fluid loss, friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves. The risk of these complications occurring is greater in patients with medical problems such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or people who have recently had surgery. The risk of liposuction complications arising can be reduced if you follow the surgeon’s advice closely which he will give you after the liposuction.