Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that helps sculpt the body by removing fat from specific areas like the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. The fat is usually removed through a cannula (a hollow tube) and aspirator (a suction device). Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, but it can remove stubborn areas of fat that does nor respond to traditional weight loss method.
Best candidates for liposuction:
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, and realistic in your expectation. Individuals with medical problems like diabetes, heart or lung problems poor blood circulations are not suitable candidates for liposuction.
Anesthesia for liposuction:
Your surgeon will select the type of anesthesia that is most suitable and safe for your surgery. If only small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. Regional anesthesia is a good choice for more extensive procedures. In such cases the anesthetist makes sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.
Preparing for surgery:
Patient should stop taking anticoagulants for two weeks before surgery. Smoking must be avoided for about two months prior to surgery. As it interferes with circulation and causes blood clots.
The surgery:
The time required to perform liposuction varies considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and techniques used. Through or tiny incision, a narrow tube is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is then pushed and pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out by a vacuum pump or a large syringe. The fluid lost along with the fat is replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. Under careful observation the patient receives intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.
Techniques used in liposuction:
The basic technique of liposuction as described above is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. A medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) help the fat to be removed easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery.
Tumescent technique:
Large amount of fluids, three times the amount of fat to be removed are injected in this technique. The technique is performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic. The procedure takes 4 to 5 hours.
The super-wet technique:
In this technique, lesser amounts of fluids are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. It is performed under general anesthesia and takes one or two hours of surgery time.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction:
This technique uses a special cannula that produces ultrasound energy. As the cannula passes through the fat areas, the energy explodes the fat cell walls, liquefying the fat. The fat is removed by a suction pump. The fibrous areas of the body like the upper back or enlarged male breasts are treated effectively with such technique.
Recovery:
After surgery as there will be fluid drainage from the incision a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a few days to prevent fluid built-up. To control swelling a compression garment will be worn for a few weeks. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. You will experience some pain burning, swelling, bleeding, and temporary numbness. All this will subside with time; normal activity can be resumed only after several weeks.
Precautionary measures to be taken:
Healing will be gradual process. You should start walking around to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week in 10days. Drink sufficient water to avoid dehydration. Avoid alcohol for a few days. Ice packs or heating pads should not be used for swelling or pain. Avoid submerging in bathtubs or swimming pools. More strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month, as our body continuous to heal. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help maintain your new shape.
Possible complications:
Through the complications are rare, they do occur. The risks are more when treated areas are very large or more and a large amount of fat is removed.
- Infection at the punctured site and delay in healing.
- Damaged to skin, to avoid wounding the skin the surgeon work at deeper levels of fat.
- The formation of fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death.
- Excessive fluid loss, which leads to shock.
- Fluid accumulation which has to be drained.
- Friction burns or either damage to the skin or nerves of performance injury to the vital organs.
- Unfavorable drug reaction.
- Skin necrosis is a rare complication in which skin falls off in necrotic area and results in bacteria invasion.
- Lidocaine toxicity.
- In super-wet techniques, too much saline fluids are injected which contain high concentration of lidocaine which become too high for that particularly person’s system.
- The skin may be irregular asymmetric or even “baggy” especially in the older patients.
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