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FAQ

What Can Liposuction Do For You?

Suction-assisted lipectomy, also known as liposuction, or suction lipectomy, is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body. The many areas that can be treated include the chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.

Women most commonly have liposuction performed under the chin, on their hips, thighs, buttocks, stomach, and under the arms.

For men, common sites include under the chin and around the waist. Liposuction may also be used in the reduction of enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

Liposuction is a helpful adjunct to weight reduction, and is a method of removing localized fat that doesn't respond to dieting and exercise.

Determining Your Candidacy

The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas. The procedure yields the best results on patients who are physically healthy.

Suction lipectomy is not recommended if you've had recent surgery on the spot to be sculpted, if you have poor blood circulation in that area, or if you have heart or lung disease. Liposuction by itself will not improve the dimpled skin known as cellulite, but the contours in that area can be improved.

Liposuction Techniques

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty, commonly known as "UAL", is a relatively new liposuction technique. A metal probe carries a high frequency electrical signal that stimulates the fat cells and causes them to "liquefy." The advantage of this technique is that large volumes of fat can be safely removed with minimal blood loss and less bruising than with traditional liposuction. The results of UAL are usually smoother, decreasing the chance of contour irregularity, which sometimes occurs after traditional liposuction. Your surgeon will determine if UAL or traditional liposuction is best suited for you.

Potential Risks

Suction-assisted lipectomy is normally safe in properly certified facilities and with board-certified plastic surgeons. All of the Changes surgeons are board-certified plastic surgeons, and the procedures are performed in a state licensed and Medicare certified surgical center, along with skilled anesthesiologists. These credentials help ensure the highest standards of care and your utmost safety.

Nevertheless, in rare instances, the procedure may cause severe trauma, particularly when multiple or very extensive areas are suctioned at one time. Other infrequent, but possible, complications include fluid accumulation (which must be drained) and injury to the skin. Although serious complications are infrequent, infection or excessive fluid loss can lead to severe illness.

The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view, even in a bikini. However, other cosmetic problems may occur. They may include rippling or bagginess of the skin over the treated area, and pigmentation changes (such as brown spots) that may become permanent if exposed to the sun. Asymmetry (uneven contour or shape) sometimes requires a second procedure.

Procedure Description

Liposuction-assisted lipectomy usually takes an hour or two, but the time required may vary considerably, from thirty minutes to several hours, depending on the area and amount being suctioned.

To begin the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision, just large enough to allow the insertion of a hollow tube called a cannula. The opposite end of the cannula is attached to a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon manipulates the cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the fat and suctioning it out. Sometimes additional incisions are needed to remove all areas of fat.

Fluid will be lost, along with the fat during liposuction, but your anesthesiologist will carefully monitor and replace the fluid lost intravenously.

UAL Surgery

The time required to perform UAL may vary considerably, depending on the amount of work you are having done. However, UAL generally takes longer than traditional liposuction because of the extra "fat-liquefying" step involved.

To begin the procedure, salt water containing local anesthesia and adrenaline 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, allowing the fat to flow out of each cell. The "liquified" fat combines with the injected fluid to create an emulsion, which is removed from the body by vacuum pressure.

You will probably be given some fluid through an intravenous tube to keep your fluid level balanced. Typically, only a small amount of blood is lost during UAL.

Post-Operative Care

After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions.

The side effects of traditional liposuction surgery are pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness, can be expected from UAL as well. The pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.

To facilitate your recovery process, you will be dressed in a snug elastic girdle to control swelling, and to help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. You may need to wear this garment continuously for two to three weeks, then just in the daytime for a few weeks more, depending on your surgeon's instructions. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection.

The extra fluids you receive during surgery may cause you to be heavier for a while, but the swelling will subside, as part of the normal healing process. You will be stiff and sore for the first few days, and will be given medication to control any discomfort. Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.

Recovery

Healing is a gradual process. It’s important that you start walking around as soon as possible (to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs), but to avoid more strenuous activity for two to four weeks. Any stitches will be removed in five to ten days or dissolve, and you should be back at work in 2 - 3 days, or as much as two weeks after your surgery. When you resume activity depends on the extent of your procedure, how you feel, and what your doctor recommends.

While most of the swelling and discoloration will be gone a month or two, after surgery, some swelling can remain for six months or more. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress.

Your New Look

Suction-assisted lipectomy is a highly effective technique for achieving a new body contour with very little scarring. The results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly. If you do gain weight, you'll probably gain it more uniformly throughout your body, not just in the former "bulges."

Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction, they feel more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes, and more at ease with their bodies.

As healing progresses, a more proportional look will emerge. A slimmer body contour can help you feel more confident and comfortable.

 

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