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Liposuction (Arms)
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What is Liposuction
of the arms?
Liposuction of the arms removes
deposits of excess fat from the arms with specialized surgical suctioning equipment.
How is it done?
Treatment time will vary depending
on the size of the area and the amount of fat being removed, but generally takes
between one and two hours. 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,
typically near the elbow or in the armpit crease. The cannula is pushed and pulled
through the fat layer breaking up the fat cells ad 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 pressure bandages on your arms to cut down on swelling.
Why is it done?
Liposuction of the arms gives
added contour and definition to the arms. 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
antibiotic treatment
- Irregularities
in skin contour
- Permanent changes
to the color of 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 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 the liposuction. However, the main alternative to liposuction is to
leave the fat deposits as they are. Diet and exercise regimens may be of benefit
in the overall reduction of excess fat. Direct removal of excess skin may
be needed in addition to liposuction treatment in some patients. [Arm Lift]
Candidate eligibility
The best candidates for 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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