Liposuction:

Fat deposits, which cannot be removed by diet or exercise usually, occur in areas such as the chin, chest, stomach, sides, back and thighs.

Liposuction is a fat removal procedure that aims to eradicate excessive stubborn fat from these hard to shift areas. Liposuction should be thought of as a sculpting procedure that can change the contours of your body or face.

What does Liposuction Surgery Involve?

Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to re-contour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube (cannula) is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out by a vacuum pump or a large syringe.

The incision sites will be carefully chosen so that scarring is as inconspicuous as possible.

How long does liposuction take?

The Liposuction procedure takes from 1.5 to 3.5 hours to complete depending on the extent of the procedure. Many patients are able to leave for home on the day of the Lipo surgery but some remain in the hospital for one to two days.

What can I expect from liposuction?

Your expectations need to be realistic. You will probably be very pleased with the results. Your body shape gets noticeably different quite soon after Liposuction surgery and you generally feel more at ease with your body.

What happens in the recovery period?

Bruising and swelling can be present for 2-4 weeks dependent upon the quantity of fat that is removed and the patients own healing rate. Any discomfort or pain can be relieved by painkillers and gentle walking. Supportive elastic is worn day and night for 3 weeks and after that for a further 3 weeks during the day. Scars are small and fade in time. You are going to have follow-up visits in the months after Liposuction surgery to check on your progress.

What is the recovery time from the lipo surgery?

Recovery time is brief, with many liposuction patients returning to work in a few days, and most get back to full exercise in 12-14 days. Again this will depend on each individual patient. You can resume gentle exercise after two weeks and full exercise after one month.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Lipoplasty (Suction Lipectomy)

Ultrasonic assisted lipoclastic, commonly known as "UAL”, is a technique that uses sound waves to "liquefy" unwanted fat. UAL can be an effective tool for removing fat from multiple areas of the body such as the male breasts, abdomen, back or "love handles". Often, traditional liposuction is performed in conjunction with UAL.

Complications

Complications from liposuction may include irregularities of the skins surface, areas of uneven pigmentation, and asymmetry. Occasionally revision surgery is necessary (in 5% of the cases) but is easily accomplished with less recovery than the original surgery.

Preparing for your surgery

Generally liposuction is performed in our office-based surgical suite using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation (twilight sleep). Our medical team monitors your physical status throughout the operation and during your recovery. The Liposuction surgery depends upon the amount of work. You are then cared for in the recovery area for 1-2 hours before you are sent home.

If the doctor with your consent selects general anesthesia, the surgery is performed in a hospital as an outpatient procedure.

To begin the procedure, large volumes of local anesthesia is injected into the area to be treated. Then, a metal cannula connected to an ultrasound generator is inserted beneath the skin through a small incision. The ultrasonic energy causes the walls of the fat cells to break down. The "liquefied" fat combines with the injected fluid to create an emulsion, which is removed from the body by vacuum pressure.

After your surgery

You will be cared for in the recovery room for at least one hour after surgery. Discomfort is minimal; you will have a compression garment (girdle) on which must be worn as directed. Typically the garment is worn for up to four weeks after the surgery. This will decrease the amount of swelling and compress the skin to fit its new contour. Pain medication will be prescribed for the discomfort.

Getting back to normal

Healing is a gradual process. You should be back to work within 3-5 days following your Liposuction surgery. Stitches are usually removed within 10 days.

Strenuous activity should be avoided for about three weeks as your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within six weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more.

Your new look

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body soon after Liposuction surgery. However, improvement becomes more apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.

If your expectations are realistic, you will be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more comfortable wearing a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new body shape permanently.