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What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is the removal
of deposits of excess fat by suction with 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. 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. After surgery, you will be required
to wear a supportive corset or pressure bandages around the treated areas.
Why is it done?
Liposuction gives added contour
and definition to treated areas on the ankles, calves, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen,
as well as the arms, neck and under the chin. The procedure may also be part
of an operation to treat lipomas (benign (non-cancerous) tumors of fat), gynecomastia
(fatty breast development in men), and for adjusting the shape of breasts after
reconstructive surgery.
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 surgery.
- Scars.
In most cases scarring is minimal, though lumpy red scars can form in some people.
- Infection,
though unusual after this type of surgery, may occur and require antibiotic treatment.
- Irregularities
in skin contour and depressions in the skin may occur.
- With wet liposuction
pulmonary edema (fluid build up in the lungs) can occur as a result of the fluid
that is injected and needs immediate treatment. The fluid used can also cause
allergic reactions in some patients.
- Reaction to
the anesthesia.
It is impossible to
guarantee symmetrical body appearance and smooth skin after liposuction surgery.
Some numbness can occur and 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 procedure, for example the “wet
technique”. However, the main alternative to Lipoplasty 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.
Candidate eligibility
The best candidates
for Liposuction surgery are individuals of relatively normal weight who have excess
fat in particular areas. Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better
final contour after the liposuction. The surgeon will make the final determination
of each patient’s eligibility for the procedure after an examination and consultation
with the patient.
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