Liposuction
Liposuction is the suction-based removal of excess body fat with a specialized surgical instrument. It is a type of cosmetic surgery which is usually performed by a plastic surgeon. It eliminates unwanted excess fat from the body to improve appearance and smooth irregular body shapes. The treatment is sometimes described as Body contouring.
Liposuction is well-suited for women and men who are of relatively normal weight but have fat deposition in certain parts of their bodies. These individual fat deposits typically do not respond to diet or exercise.
Liposuction can be done at any age but the best results will be obtained if the skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour, following the fat removal. Liposuction can help to shape the areas around the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, belly, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.
Types of Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction:
During this procedure, a plastic surgeon will inject an anesthetic "tumescent" solution into the treatment area to reduce bleeding and discomfort. Tumescent liposuction can be done under local anesthesia depending on the patient.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction:
This technique utilizes ultrasound energy to help break down the fatty tissue and loosen it from the body, allowing for easier removal of large amounts of fat with a faster surgery. Variations include VASER Liposelection.
Laser-assisted liposuction:
It is also known under brand names like SmartLipo and Slimlipo. These techniques utilize laser energy to help dislodge fat cells.
Suction-assisted liposuction:
This technique uses a vacuum like device to help remove the fat. Power assisted liposuction is a similar technique that involves a tool that enhances the motion of the cannula used to remove the fat.
Benefits of Liposuction
Liposuction is usually advised for cosmetic purposes, but it may also be used to treat certain conditions.
These include:
- Lymphedema: A long-term condition in which excess fluid known as lymph is collected in tissues causing edema, or swelling. The edema occurs commonly in the arms or legs. Liposuction is also used to reduce swelling, discomfort, and pain.
- Gynecomastia: Accumulation of fat under a man’s breast.
- Lipodystrophy syndrome: Accumulation of fat in one part of the body and is lost in another. Liposuction can improve the appearance of patients by providing a more natural looking body fat distribution.
- Extreme weight loss after obesity: Excess skin and other irregularities are treated in patients with morbid obesity who lose at least 40% of their BMI.
- Lipomas: These are benign, fatty tumors located just below the skin.
Risks of liposuction:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bruising
- Change in skin sensation that may persist
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs and abdominal organs
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Irregular contours or asymmetries
- Irregular pigmentation
- Need for revision surgery
- Persistent swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite
- Swelling
- Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty technique
Procedure
The procedure of liposuction requires pre-operative preparations and post-operative care. Know the details of the procedure here.
Before the procedure
Plastic surgeons will ensure the stability of the medical condition of the patient before the surgery. The medical history is taken and physical examination is done by the doctor and a few blood tests are advised. In some cases an ECG and urine tests are also suggested. Patients are recommended to avoid certain medications (blood thinners, NSAIDs) before the surgery. The doctor may also prescribe a new diet plan and few medications.
During the procedure
- The surgery is performed under anesthesia. Small incisions are made to access the fat.
- A suction device is then inserted through the incisions and the fat between the muscles and the skin is removed.
- Suction devices vary, depending upon the type of technique being used. In the traditional form of liposuction, a small tube called a cannula is inserted through the incisions.
- The cannula is attached to a suction pump, which draws out the excess fat. In more advanced techniques of liposuction, either a fluid-like substance is injected or ultrasonic waves or lasers are used to break and remove the fat.
After the procedure
The patient can go back to normal routine in a week. Drink an adequate amount of fluids after the surgery. However, the doctor may ask the patient to avoid strenuous activities for some time.
Precautions after the surgery
Liposuction surgery requires a few precautions to be taken to allow fast recovery and avoid any post-surgial complication.
- Avoid staying stationary, but do not engage in any vigorous exercise.
- Avoid taking blood thinners or take doctor’s suggestion.
- Avoid spending a long time in the bath after liposuction.
- Always stay hydrated
- Wear compression garments as often as possible to reduce swelling and allow speedy recovery.
- Follow up with your doctor as suggested
Liposuction vs Bariatric
People often miss to understand the difference between the purpose, procedure, and the results of liposuction and bariatric surgery. Being aware would help you take the right decision for your body shape and overall health. Let’s understand the difference between the two.
| Liposuction |
Bariatric surgery |
| A cosmetic surgery through which fat is removed from different parts of the body. It makes use of a suction device which is inserted through small incisions made on the desired part of the body. |
Bariatric surgery is a surgery performed on the stomach or the intestine. It is meant for obese people to reduce their appetite and contribute to weight loss. |
| Suitable for people who have excessive fat in selected parts of the body |
Suitable for obese individuals
|
| The effects remain unaltered if the person is able to maintain his weight |
The results are meant for a lifetime. However, some precautions are always advised by the surgeons
|
| Types include tumescent, ultrasound, power assisted and laser assisted |
Types include adjustable gastric banding(AGB), Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass(RYGB), Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch(BPD-DS), Vertical sleeve gastrectomy(VSG)
|
| It sculpts or reshapes body areas and aim to produce a smooth figure |
It lowers the health risks of obese people. It is a treatment when exercise and dieting fail to fight obesity.
|
Liposuction Care at Medicover Hospitals
At Medicover Hospitals, we have the most trusted team of plastic surgeons working together to provide excellent care to our patients. We provide different types of cosmetic treatments using the most advanced technologies and world-class infrastructure bringing the best results for our patients. Our Plastic Surgeons have performed many liposuction procedures with successful outcomes after setting realistic goals. We discuss the whole treatment pathway and expected outcomes with our patients and keep them informed at every stage of their treatment.
