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What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure used to remove fat deposits and reshape areas of the body. Liposuction may be performed alone or in conjunction with other cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures, such as lifts or reductive surgery. It is not recommended for weight loss, but a viable technique for areas where fat deposits won't disappear.
Procedure
Regardless of the specific area being treated, the technique is generally the same. A small incision is made in a natural crease of the skin or some other inconspicuous place. A hollow, pen-like device, called a canula, is inserted into the skin. The canula is used to suck out the fat. In some cases, an ultrasonic probe is used to break up the fat into small pieces before it is sucked out with the canula. A newer technique, called the tumescent technique, forces extreme amounts of water into the fat prior to vacuuming it out, making hard fatty deposits easier to remove. Depending on the extensiveness of the surgery, liposuction may be an outpatient or inpatient procedure.
Risks
Complications from liposuction are more serious than for most other cosmetic procedures. They include:
Infections - which can occur after nearly any surgery but can be life threatening if left untreated.
Embolism - a piece of fat can get trapped in a blood vessel and can clog pathways to the lungs and brain, which is life threatening.
Visceral Perforations - Because physicians cannot see under the skin to where they insert the canula, organs can be punctured requiring additional surgery to repair.
Fluid Imbalance - A lot of liquid is used in liposuction for fat removal. This can cause an imbalance, which may lead to heart, lung or kidney problems.
Skin Problems - In some cases, swelling on the skin above the area where the liposuction occurs remains for months. Additionally, the skin may "die," change color and slough off.
Fatalities related to liposuction have been reported in as few as 3 in 100,000 cases and as high as 100 in 100,000 cases. However, many patients enjoy positive experiences with liposuction when conducted by a certified, experienced and trusted surgeon.
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What is Tumescent Liposuction?
Before the tumescent technique, traditional liposuction involved making large incisions in the fatty areas to allow insertion of long cannulas, which are long hollow needles with holes at the end. With tumescent liposuction, one or more small incisions are made allowing less invasive micro-cannulas to be used. These micro-cannulas provide more targeted and controlled removal of fat. As a result, surgeons are able to contour the treated area more effectively.
Advantages of the Tumescent Liposuction
- Local anesthesia is used instead of general anesthesia, which eliminates some of the general anesthesia related side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
- The swelling of the fatty deposits amplifies the targeted areas for liposuction. This reduces the chance of undergoing a secondary procedure.
- There is less blood loss and fluid loss
- There is less scarring because smaller incisions are made
- The time to recover is a lot shorter than traditional liposuction
- The use of the micro-cannulas reduces any bruising or swelling
Since the cannulas have been miniaturized they now can be inserted through much smaller openings of the skin. A number of small holes may be placed in the skin around the treated area. The cannulas are inserted through these small openings and the fat is removed.
How Tumescent Liposuction is Performed
The tumescent technique prepares fatty tissue for removal by causing it to swell and firm up. A local anesthetic solution known as lidocaine is injected into the fatty area along with a solution to constrict the blood vessels. The constriction of blood vessels lessens blood loss and bruising before and after the operation. The lidocaine is then absorbed by the fatty tissue, which causes the tissues to become swollen and firm. This technique allows a large area of fatty tissue to be numbed so that a larger area of liposuction can be performed. The expanded compartments permit the liposuction cannula to pass under the skin smoothly to remove the fat.
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What is Abdominal Etching?
Abdominal etching is an advanced liposuction procedure available to those who already have form fit bodies and want a flatter, tighter stomach area, with a much stronger muscle definition. Abdominal etching differs from an abdominoplasty in that it only removes excess fat and skin, and not abdomen muscles like an abdominoplasty could.
Who Should Get Abdominal Etching
Abdominal etching is recommended for those who are already at an ideal fitness level and just want to improve upon stubborn fat deposits that don't react to exercise and diet. Abdominal etching can also be applied to abdominoplasty patients to help reduce the unsightly saggy and excessive skin around their abdominal muscle areas. A proper diet and exercise program is necessary to maintain the benefits of abdominal etching.
The abdominal etching procedure can be done along with liposuction or any other cosmetic surgery procedure depending on the treatment plan you have formulated with your doctor.
How The Procedure Works
The procedure can be done in a doctor's office or in an outpatient surgery center. The procedure itself takes about an hour and is often performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Small incisions about 1 to 2 millimeters in length are made in the belly button or in the natural folds of the abdomen as to hide any visible scarring. The surgeon then uses a cannula, which is a tubular instrument to remove excess fat and skin. The procedure is delicate and precise; it involves sculpting grooves in the layers of fat to emphasize a muscular appearance. Different cannula instruments are used when performing liposuction and muscle definition.
In most cases patients go home shortly after surgery. Results differ among patients depending on individual anatomy. The appearance of the underlying muscles is a big factor on how the results will look.
Postoperative Care
The doctor should provide complete postoperative instructions to not only reduce the risk of complications but to also make the healing process easier. The doctor will provide and fit the patient with a compression garment to wear at all times, except when bathing, at a length of time prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will also prescribe mediation for pain management as well as address any swelling and bruising that may occur. Most patients can shower within 48 hours after surgery.
It is very important that the patient restrict any movements that involve placing pressure on the abdominal area as well as lifting objects ten pounds or more.
Most patients go back to their normal routine in about one to three weeks. Abdominal etching takes time to heal and sometimes results can take as long as six months before becoming apparent, but in most cases, patients see results sooner.
Possible Complications
With any medical procedure there can be complications, such as infection, bleeding and excessive scarring. However these complications are infrequent and can be treated by a doctor immediately.
How Much Does it Cost
Abdominal etching includes three fees: anesthesia fees, facility fees, and surgeon's fees. Since the abdominal etching procedure is often performed during traditional liposuction, in most cases you pay only one anesthesia fee and facility fee. Since your treatment is tailored to fit your needs, costs will vary from patient to patient. Average total fees range from $3,000 to $10,000. This estimate may or may not include the cost of the liposuction.
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