Liposuction (Lipoplasty)

Introduction

Lipoplasty, sometimes referred to as liposuction or liposculpture, is a common plastic surgery that loosens and extracts excess fat from most areas of the body in an effort to provide a slimmer, more contoured appearance. Liposuction is often confused with abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck. However, these procedures differ greatly and consulting a plastic surgeon is the best way to determine if liposuction is ideal for you.

Who should pursue Liposuction?

liposuction specializes in removing stubborn fat located throughout the body in regions such as the neck, breasts, stomach, love handles, back, or thighs. So, if you are close to reaching your ideal weight, yet have excess fat in any of those regions or other regions, you may want to pursue liposuction. At the same time, liposuction aids especially in altering areas of your body that may be out of proportion with the rest of your body. It is important to add that liposuction works most effectively on fat that has remained only after regular dieting and exercise. Therefore, it is not a reliable treatment for obesity.

Planning Liposuction

Similar to other cosmetic surgeries, you will have at least one visit with your chosen plastic surgeon for a pre-operation consultation. During this consultation, expect to discuss your medical history in detail and do not fail to mention previous surgeries you have had as well as your present allergies, medical conditions, and medications. You should also specify exactly which areas of your body you would like to be improved. Adequately conveying this information will give your doctor the best of idea of how your liposuction procedure should be performed. To ensure you both satisfying and lasting results, your surgeon may take special measurements of your body to determine your skin elasticity. He or she may also take pictures of your problem area if it lies in a region not easily seen, like your back or buttocks. Finally, be open to conversing about your weight as well as other activities that will affect your weight in future, such as weight-loss programs or pregnancy.

How is Liposuction performed?

Performed as an outpatient or inpatient surgery depending on your condition, intravenous sedation may be used along with local, regional, or general anesthesia. Thus, your doctor may ask you to adjust your medications or stop smoking well in advance of your procedure. Surgeons employ a variety of techniques for liposuction based on the specific needs of each individual. However, your doctor will describe his or her technique of choice to you ahead of time. Although, at times it is necessary for the doctor the change his or her approach during the procedure. Generally, the surgeon makes small, discreet incisions and then fills the incision with a sterile liquid solution to moderate bleeding and infection. Next, a thin hollow tube is inserted into the incision to loosen and ultimately dislodge excess fat via a vacuum or syringe attached to the opposite end of the tube. Other liposuction methods use ultrasonic energy to loosen fat prior to suction while other methods do not require incisions at all and actually melt fat without removing it.

After the surgery

Whichever surgical technique your surgeon chooses, you must rest for several days after the procedure. Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, but wear a compression garment to protect your new contours. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to remove your stitches. Swelling and bruising are common, but pain and damage can be avoided by limiting all strenuous activity, like bending and lifting. Nevertheless, ten days after surgery, you should be able to resume all normal, daily activities.