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Liposuction (Abdomen)
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What is abdominal
liposuction?
Abdominal liposuction is the
removal of deposits of excess fat from the upper and lower abdominal areas by suction
using specialized surgical equipment.
How is it done?
Treatment time will vary depending
on the size of the area and the amount of fat being removed. Liposuction may be
performed under a local anesthesia which numbs the affected areas, usually combined
with intravenous sedation. For more extensive procedures, a general anesthesia may
be used. During the procedure the surgeon will insert a narrow tube called
a cannula through a tiny incision, usually in the navel, or just below the bikini
line. The cannula is pushed and pulled through the fat layer breaking up the fat
cells and suctioning them out. Surgeons may use a “dry” technique, a
“tumescent” technique (that introduces large amounts of fluid to the
area being worked on). After surgery, you will be required to wear a supportive
corset or pressure bandages around the treated areas.
Why is it done?
Abdominal liposuction gives
added contour and definition to the treated areas in the upper and lower abdomen.
The procedure may also be part of an operation to treat lipomas, (benign, non-cancerous
tumors of fat).
Risks & complications
Complications specific to
liposuction are infrequent and usually minor. However, as with any surgery, there
are risks, including the possibility of:
- Bleeding under the
skin (hematoma) after the surgery
- Lumpy red scars
- Infection requiring
antibiotics and in some cases hospitalization
- Irregularities
in skin contour
- Permanent changes
to the color of the skin, and some loss of normal feeling in those areas
- Pulmonary edema
- Allergic reaction
in some patients to fluid used in tumescent liposuction
- Reaction to
the anesthesia
There may be significant bruising
and swelling after surgery which may take several months to settle completely. Risks
can be reduced by following the surgeon's instructions before and after surgery.
Alternatives
The surgeon may discuss alternative
approaches to liposuction. However, the main alternative to liposuction is simply
to leave the fat deposits as they are. Diet and exercise regimens may be of benefit
in the overall reduction of excess body fat. Direct removal of excess skin
may be needed in addition to liposuction treatment in some patients.[ Abdominoplasty
or Tummy Tuck ]
Candidate eligibility
The best candidates for abdominal
liposuction are individuals of relatively normal weight who have excess fat in particular
areas. Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final result. The
surgeon will make the final determination of each patient’s eligibility for
the procedure after an examination and consultation with the patient. Patients with
bleeding disorders or underlying severe medical problems may not be eligible for
liposuction surgery.
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