A fit and well proportioned body is often considered a symbol of health and vitality.  But despite good health and a reasonable level of fitness, some individuals may still have a body with disproportionate contours due to localized fat deposits.  These areas may be due to heredity or family traits rather than a lack of weight control or fitness.  If you are bothered by excess fat deposits, located anywhere on your face or body, that do not respond to diet or exercise, liposuction may be right for you.  In general, liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing localized or regional excess fat deposits, improving your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, enhancing your selfimage.

 

What is Liposuction?

 

Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, is the surgical removal of localized or regional excess fatty tissue.  There are three common variations to the procedure:

Traditional liposuction, simply defined as a surgical suctioning of fat deposits

The tumescent or superwet technique that requires an infusion of saline solution, with added adrenaline and possibly anesthetic prior to removal of excess fat

Ultrasoundassisted lipoplasty or UAL, where ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy excess fat prior to surgical suctioning

 

These techniques may be used to reduce localized fat deposits of the:

cheeks, chin, and neck                              hips and buttocks

upper arms                                              thighs

breast or chest area                                  inner knee

back                                                        calves and ankles

abdomen and waist

 

In some cases, liposuction is performed alone, in other cases it is used with plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift, male or female breast reduction, or a tummy tuck.  Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for proper diet and exercise.  It is also not an effective treatment for cellulite, the dimpled skin that typically appears on the thighs, hips and buttocks.  Liposuction can, however, permanently reshape body contours where excess fat deposits create areas that are disproportionately large in an otherwise balanced figure.  Ideal candidates for liposuction are adults of any age within 30% of their ideal weight and with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone.  Good candidates are defined as:

Healthy individuals who do not have a lifethreatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing

Nonsmokers

Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring

 

Special considerations may be necessary for individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or previous surgery to treatment area.

My Liposuction

 

Liposuction is a highly individualized procedure that requires careful consideration of your specific concerns and the areas in which you desire improvement.  An evaluation of skin tone and elasticity, as well as fat density and distribution will determine appropriate techniques for your specific case.  Liposuction is a surgical procedure.  All liposuction techniques require incisions in or near the area to be suctioned for insertion of an appropriately sized cannula.  In some cases, incisions may be so small that no stitches are required for closure.  Once the cannula tip has loosened excess fat, the fat is removed using a surgical vacuum or powered suction device.  An alternate method uses a syringe attached to the cannula to manually suction fat away.  Manual suctioning with a syringe is more commonly used when areas of fat removal are small and very isolated, or when it is planned that fat will be processed and reinjected in other areas of the body.  This procedure is called fat grafting and may be used to fillin wrinkles or hollow areas of the face or depressions appearing anywhere on the face or body.  Where large amounts are suctioned from one area, compression garmets may assist during the healing process to help skin conform to the reduced body contours.  Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin.  Special considerations are needed when large amounts, usually more than 5 liters, or 5000 ccs, of fat are suctioned.

 

Characteristics that can be addressed with liposuction include a double chin, fatty upper arms, enlarged male or female breasts, love handles and excess fat in the abdomen.  In addition, liposuction can recontour the lower body: hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles, creating a slimmer and betterproportioned figure.

 

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions that are hidden within the natural creases and contours of the body.  A thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through these incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back and forth motion.  The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.

 

Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retension; commonly experienced following liposuction subside.  With continued practices of healthy diet and fitness, the loss of excess fatty tissue should be permanently maintained.  However, substantial weight gain can alter an otherwise permanent result.

 

Preparing for your Surgery

 

Your plastic surgeon will carefully explain the liposuction procedure you will undergo.  You will be given specific instructions that may include:

Presurgical considerations, diagnostic testing and medications

Day of surgery instructions and medications

Specific information related to the use of anesthesia

Postoperative care and followup

 

You will also be asked to sign consent forms to assure your plastic surgeon that you fully understand the procedure and any risks or potential complications.  Possible risks include uneven contours, rippling or loose skin, skin or nerve damage, irregular pigmentation, infection at the surgical site, fat clots, blood clots, excessive fluid loss or fluid accumulation.  In addition there is a risk of thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the UAL technique.  All surgery carries risks associated with anesthesia.  These and other risks will be fully discussed prior to your procedure and consent.  It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcomes or preoperative stress.  Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

 

Following Surgery

 

Once your procedure is completed, a compression, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas.  These assist to control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours.  In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove any excess fluid.  Before you are released following surgery, you and an accompanying family member, friend or caregiver will be given instructions that may include:

How to care for the incision site

Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection

Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health

When to follow up with your plastic surgeon

 

Progress and Healing

 

Initial healing will include swelling, numbness, soreness, bruising, and discomfort that can be controlled with medication.  These are common conditions.  Your plastic surgeon will provide specific postoperative instructions based on the technique and extent of your procedure.  These will include instructions on the use of any compression garments, expected return to activity and appropriate care of incisions.  Follow all instructions carefullythis is essential to the success of your outcome.  In general, a return to light, normal activity is possible as soon as you feel ready and is encouraged to prevent blood clots and other complications.  Initial wound healing may take from 5 to 10 days, at which time any sutures will be removed, if necessary.  Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling continues to dissipate.  Incision lines will improve over time.  Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend followup visits as scheduled.  You will be encouraged to control your weight, as significant weight gain can reverse your results.

 

Results and Outlook

 

It may take up to several months for swelling to fully dissipate.  As it does, your new contours and enhanced selfimage should continue to develop.  The fulfillment you feel from the initial results of liposuction should continue as long as you maintain your weight and practice a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well and regular physical activity.  Following liposuction, your slimmer and betterproportioned body should more accurately reflect the healthy and active life you lead.