Liposuction Is It Right for You!
CONTENTS
What is Liposuction?
What Liposuction Can and Can't Do
Who is a Candidate?
Finding a Top Notch Doctor
Your First Doctor Visit
Making the Decision
Liposuction Procedures
Preparation
During the Procedure
Impact on Areas of the Body
After Liposuction
Potential Complications
If You Are Unhappy
Final Words
What is Liposuction?
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery techniques practiced
today. This type of surgery involves the removal of fat from certain areas of
the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and upper arms. It is often done in
conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures. The process of liposuction
varies according to the patient's preference and what the cosmetic goals are.
Liposuction: The Basics
You might be familiar with the term 'liposuction'. However, specific knowledge
of this procedure is often vague. For those contemplating liposuction, you must
educate yourself to ensure that you achieve your cosmetic goal and do it safely.
To perform liposuction, fat cells are surgically removed from specific problem
areas in your body. To do this, surgeons use a stainless steel suction tube
known as a cannula. Aside from removing excessive fat, surgical liposuction
procedures are also done for contouring purposes. This attests to the idea that
liposuction is mostly done for cosmetic purposes.
Since liposuction was first performed in 1974, the procedure has experienced
major transformation and advancements over recent years. The demand for doctors
who perform body contouring liposuction techniques has grown exponentially.
According to data gathered by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery, in the year 1998 alone over 200,000 people have undergone liposuction.
More people are considering this type of plastic surgery, especially now that
the safety is improved along with advancements in tools and procedures.
Should You Undergo Liposuction?
The choice for undergoing liposuction is mainly your choice. However, this is
not to say that you should not proceed with caution. Despite the recent
technological breakthroughs that ensure the safety and success of this
procedure, there is always some risk.
Before proceeding with this surgery, you need to set realistic goals. Dramatic
results are indeed possible with liposuction, but it is a process. There are
several factors to consider that help determine the success of the procedure
such as age, weight, skin elasticity and your overall health condition.
Most doctors do not allow people with a weak immune system, artery or heart
problems, diabetes, or other history of health problems to undergo liposuction.
This is because of the health risks involved. Consult with a doctor first when
you plan on undergoing liposuction and have them assess whether you are a
healthy candidate. This is discussed in depth in an upcoming chapter.
Procedures for Liposuction
In concept, the process of liposuction is quite simple. The doctors vacuum out
excess fats from your body. However, this is as complex as any other type of
surgery. The actual procedure for liposuction involves three phases: the
creation of an incision, surgical removal of fat, and closing off the incision.
First, your doctor administers anesthesia and some other fluids if necessary.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, your doctor starts creating small
incisions on specific areas in your body where fat is to be removed; the size of
these incisions range from a quarter of an inch to 3 inches.
Once an incision has been made, a vacuum tube (called a cannula) is now inserted
through the incision. This tube penetrates through the deep layers of the fat.
The cannula moves back and forth in order to break down these fat cells. Once
they are broken up, those fats are suctioned out through a syringe. Due to the
excessive loss of blood through the procedure, patients are often given
replacement fluids following the procedure.
Once the removal of fat is finished, the incisions are sutured closed.
What Liposuction Can and Can't Do
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What Liposuction Can and What it Cannot Do
Due to the popularity of the procedure, patients are opting for liposuction as a
cosmetic procedure without realizing what it can actually do to their body.
Hence, many end up regretting their decision to undergo liposuction because it
failed to achieve the results they wanted. Therefore, it is important for
everyone to understand exactly what their cosmetic goals are and educate
themselves as to whether liposuction is the right procedure for them.
Liposuction Can Achieve Body Symmetry
To those wanting to achieve a well-shaped body, they often do a lot of exercise
and embark on a healthy diet. Yet many are disappointed to find that despite
these efforts, there is still stubborn fat that won't go away. On the other
hand, most doctors discourage starving yourself just to achieve that shape
you've always dreamed of.
In this modern age, surgical procedures can intervene and help you achieve that
desired body shape. There is a branch of liposuction called liposculpture that
enables you to sculpt your body into that desired shape and contour. This is
done by removing excess fat in certain areas. The key for this procedure is
removing small fats in certain parts of the body to accentuate the shape.
You need to remember that liposuction is not intended for weight control and a
large reduction of fat. You cannot expect to reduce your size. In other words,
an overweight person will not become skinny.
Liposuction Cannot Stop Weight Gain
Although liposuction has been proven effective in terms of removing fat in
particular areas in the body, doctors remind us that the results are not
permanent. Over a certain period of time, these fats will return depending
mainly on metabolism. Therefore, most doctors advise their patients to follow up
any liposuction procedure with a healthy diet to discourage the re-formation of
fat.
Studies have shown that the localized effects brought about by liposuction are
evident only within 6 to 12 months. Therefore, every patient is advised to
observe a healthy diet if they want to maintain the results. If you want to
achieve a preferable body figure, then it is your responsibility to take care of
your body whether you undergo liposuction or not.
You should not use liposuction as a diet replacement. It does not resolve your
weight problems but only adjusts disproportionate areas in your body.
Liposuction Won't Remove Cellulite
If you are undergoing ordinary liposuction procedures, then this won't be able
to erase that unpleasant cellulite. Cellulite is a case of dimpling on the
surface of your skin due to ripples of fat and its underlying fibrous connective
tissues.
Furthermore, doctors say that when liposuction is done on the lower layers of
your skin, this could even worsen cellulite since it is mostly evident in the
upper layers of your skin. Therefore, if you want to enhance the results of
liposuction, you need to couple them with other physical factors like good
quality sleep, exercise, and maintaining a normal blood pressure.
Liposuction Won't Firm Up Your Skin
Liposuction is a procedure done only to reduce fat in your body. Therefore, if
you want to tighten up your skin tissues, then liposuction is definitely not the
procedure for you. You can consult your doctor for the proper procedure to
achieve this effect, but do not expect it to happen with liposuction.
Moreover, for men looking to achieve six-pack abs, liposuction won't chisel that
for you. It only aims to sculpt your body. On the other hand, muscles are
responsible for achieving a six-pack abs and only exercise will do that for you.
Liposuction Should Only Enhance
For all patients of liposuction, you cannot expect to maintain results from the
procedure unless you take responsibility for your body. Take time to modify a
previously unhealthy diet and engage in a regular exercise routine for best
results. Liposuction serves only to enhance the shape or figure of your body.
In fact, most of those people who have undergone liposuction and refused to make
necessary health changes ended up accumulating fat in their body again.
Moreover, there are some that even decide to undergo the procedure for a second
time and are still unable to maintain the results.
Therefore, you need to make realistic expectations from the liposuction
procedure and work on achieving that.
Who is a Candidate?
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Who is a Good Candidate?
As much as you'd like to undergo liposuction, not everyone is qualified for the
procedure. There are certain health risks involved that need to be considered to
avoid complications. Therefore, it is advised that you consult with your doctor
first. You should discuss any existing health conditions that might prevent you
from becoming a likely candidate for liposuction.
About Liposuction Candidates
To be a good candidate for liposuction, you need to meet certain requirements,
most of which pertain to your health condition. Just like any other type of
surgery, liposuction could also pose a risk to your health and you need to
address them.
First, you need to have realistic expectations when it comes to results from the
procedure. There are several existing plastic surgery procedures available and
each one of them caters to your specific aesthetic and functional needs.
Therefore, you cannot expect a single procedure, such as liposuction, to do it
all for you.
Furthermore, you need to back up liposuction with proper diet and exercise. If
not, you will find those returning following the procedure. You cannot expect to
undergo this procedure and be fat-proof after that.
Possible Candidates for Liposuction
Since liposuction aims to remove accumulated fats under your skin, the best
candidates for this procedure are those with flabby areas in their body such as
neck, thighs, arms, and abdomen. You might notice that there are certain
stubborn areas in your body that retain fat deposits despite a healthy diet and
regular exercise. This could be due to several factors such as body chemistry or
genetic make-up. Liposuction could be an effective means to get rid of those
stubborn fats once and for all.
Aside from this obvious consideration, liposuction is best for physically fit or
healthy individuals, preferably those who exercise regularly and are not more
than 20 pounds over the normal weight for their age.
Moreover, you can get optimum results from liposuction if you have localized fat
deposits. However, you cannot expect dramatic changes in the appearance of your
body as soon as you undergo this procedure. Doctors, on the other hand, do not
advise crash dieting to speed up the results.
Limitations to Your Candidacy for Liposuction
If you want to lose weight and are looking at liposuction as an option for this,
you will not achieve the result you want. Overweight individuals and those with
extremely large areas where fat has deposited are not recommended for this type
of procedure. However, you are not entirely exempted from undergoing
liposuction. If you really want to pursue liposuction, you must first lose some
weight or reduce those fatty areas through diet or exercise.
For extremely overweight individuals wherein diet and exercise will not help,
doctors recommend you undergo gastric bypass instead of liposuction. Meanwhile,
if you happen to lose weight and need to tighten up your muscles, then
abdominoplasty might be the procedure to go for.
It is important to undergo honest assessment with your doctor in terms of your
body and condition of your health. This is the only correct method to determine
what procedure you really need.
Age is another major limitation for undergoing liposuction. As people age, the
skin eventually loses its elasticity. Older patients might notice that despite
liposuction procedures, their skin is not as tight when compared to younger
patients.
Moreover, patients beyond the age of 40 have less skin contraction and the
procedure will most likely result to an looser skin. In fact, some doctors will
not even proceed with the procedure if a patient has skin lacking elasticity.
Best for Liposuction
Here is a rundown of qualities that make you a likely candidate for liposuction:
• Overall good health condition
• Within 25 pounds of ideal weight
• Have fatty problem areas
• Have not had previous surgery in the same area to be treated
• With elastic and firm skin
• Do not have fluctuating weight
• Aim towards reshaping or sculpting the body
• Non-smoker
• Psychologically stable
• Have substantial knowledge of the procedure
Meanwhile, if you have the following qualities, then you should think twice, or
consult your doctor before proceeding with liposuction:
• If you have clotting disorders
• Obese
• Suffering from physical and emotional trauma
• Have hernias untreated within the same area to be treated
• Have inelastic skin
Finding a Top Notch Doctor
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How to Find a Top Notch Doctor
The success of your liposuction procedure is often determined by the skill and
expertise of the doctor who performs the procedure. That is why it was the topic
of debate during the earlier stages of liposuction development.
Now that more doctors have studied and developed the skill needed to perform
this procedure, you must not be complacent. Devote time in selecting the right
doctor for the job. After all, not only is the success of the procedure on the
line, but your health and life as well.
Choosing your doctor entails as much work as choosing the right procedure to be
done to treat your specific problems. Here are a few areas you must look into to
help in your search.
History of the Doctor
The search for a reliable plastic surgeon must not be taken lightly. Aside from
your image, your health is also at risk. Whether you have a list from which you
are choosing or are still in the process of looking for a surgeon, it is best to
opt for someone who has been in the field of plastic surgery for a considerable
amount of time.
Take note of how many surgeries they have performed over the span of their
career and the success ratio for the procedure. The more experience they have in
this field, the more confident you will become about achieving your desired
outcome.
Aside from what you have gathered in the research, you need to ask as many
questions of the doctor as possible. Look into the details of various cases of
liposuction surgery he or she has done in the past. This should give you a
better idea of what their specific fields of expertise are.
Credentials
The American Board of Plastic Surgery contains a list of certified doctors in
the country. They are your best source for finding out whether a particular
doctor has the skills and expertise needed to perform plastic surgical
operations such as liposuction.
If the doctor you are considering appears on the said board's list, then you can
proceed with this doctor. As long as your doctor has been certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery, it only means that they have graduated from a
reputed medical school, accomplished 5 years of residency. However, this is not
to dismiss doctors that are not board certified, since there are a few skilled
ones who are not. But with the board's certification, you can be assured that
your doctor is among the best there is.
Determine Your Problem Area
Although most general plastic surgeons are able to perform, most of them are
experts in certain regions. Therefore, you need to consider the specific area of
the body you want to treat when choosing your doctor.
Ask a particular doctor in which areas of the body they have the highest level
of expertise or specialization. Aside from that, take note of other important
details such as how many times they have performed that specific liposuction
procedure on past patients. This should really help narrow down your choices.
Doctor's Reputation
Just like any other field, reputation is vital in choosing a particular doctor.
If a certain surgeon has been successful in delivering high quality results,
they usually have a good reputation based on testaments from their satisfied
patients.
Other additional factors to consider are where the doctor will perform the
actual surgery. Is it in a local hospital facility or in the doctor's own
office? It is important that even though your doctor performs the surgery from
his office, he must be affiliated with the local hospital so you can have access
to their larger facilities, in case something goes wrong during the operation.
Comfort Level between Doctor and Patient
Feeling comfortable with your doctor is one of the most essential factors you
need to consider. This is important because you will have to work together in
order to achieve your desired results. The level of interaction is constant,
from the pre-surgical procedure, to the actual surgery, and post-surgical follow
ups. Therefore, you must have a doctor that is as committed to the surgery as
you are.
A practical tip you need to consider is choosing a doctor whose office is not
too distant from where you live.
Your First Doctor Visit
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Your First Doctor Visit - What to Expect
It is generally recommended that you visit a doctor when you are thinking of
having a liposuction. Although you can use the internet as a source of database
for whatever you might need to know about liposuction as a procedure, there are
certain limitations to the information you can access.
Therefore, it is important that you have your doctor closely monitor your
pre-surgical condition and note improvements following the procedure.
Why Is Liposuction Consultation Important?
The internet is teeming with information. You might think that it would be more
practical and less costly to look for resources over the internet where
certified doctors share real information. However, seeing a real doctor cannot
be replaced by whatever information you can find on the web.
A clear difference is that all the information you can find over the web is too
general. After all, the doctor cannot physically examine you and assess your
health condition. Consulting with a doctor as a pre-liposuction procedure serves
several other purposes.
First, the doctor will be able to educate you on the possible risks and
complications involved so you can weigh in on whether it is worth the risk.
Second, the doctor will be able to suggest more suitable procedures that will
address your specific body issues. Third, you will be informed on what you need
to do (and not to do) if you want to achieve optimum results.
Pre-Consultation Essentials
Before starting your plastic surgery consultation, you have lots of work to do.
The first, and most essential, is finding a reliable plastic surgeon to perform
the job. Before settling on one, you must have considered all options and looked
into qualifications you are looking for in your choice of doctors.
Although it is best recommended to opt for a doctor near your area, this must
not restrict you. You should not settle for what you deem is an unqualified
doctor just because they are within your area. If you can, look for more
qualified doctors outside your area.
Reading the previous chapter arms you with everything you need to consider when
selecting a doctor.
After you have considered all that, do as much research as possible on the
actual liposuction procedure you are contemplating. You can become too consumed
with choosing the doctor that you end up neglecting an equally important part of
the equation, which is the specific liposuction technique you require.
What to Bring During the Consultation
If you have any other existing medical conditions, it is important to bring a
list of medications you are currently taking. This will enable your doctor to
have an accurate assessment of your health condition, as well as possible
reactions. If you have specific inquiries regarding certain medications, try to
jot them down as well so you can ask your doctor about them.
If you can, bring some photos of yourself and specific problem areas to enable
your doctor to better visualize what you want to achieve from the procedure. As
much as you stress what you want to achieve out of the procedure, you also need
to equally explain what you want to avoid.
If you can, bring a friend, family member, or spouse to support and help you
through every step of the procedure.
List of Possible Questions to Ask Your Doctor
With any type of consultation, it is important that you ask your doctor a series
of questions, especially those related to what you wish to achieve. Here are a
few basic ones:
• What type of anesthesia is used for my procedure? Why?
• How long does healing take? When will I begin to look 'normal' again?
• What type of pain medications will be prescribed to me?
• What alternative procedures are available?
• How long before I can resume my normal activities?
• What tips can you give to help me cope with pain or discomfort?
• What are the policies in terms of post-operative care and follow ups?
Making the Decision
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Making the All Important Decision - All things considered
The result of liposuction procedure on your body might not be permanent, but it
will have significant impact on your life and health once you choose to go
through this procedure. Most medical and health professionals stress the fact
that you need to consider each aspect of the entire procedure. And, even after
coming up with the decision to undergo liposuction, you still need to consider
several factors.
Cost for Liposuction and Other Financing Information
A recent survey revealed that women would choose to undergo cosmetic plastic
surgery, such as liposuction, if money weren't an issue. And with the growth of
people turning to liposuction procedures, there is also an increase in terms of
cost for undergoing the procedure. The next dilemma facing most people willing
to undergo liposuction is finding the best results at an affordable price.
When talking about the entire cost for the procedure, you need to consider all
activity involved in the entire process. Visits to the surgeon, the surgical
procedure itself, and post-operative care following the procedure are all
contributing factors. Another factor to consider is the extent of the surgical
procedure done on the body. The more complicated the procedure is, the higher
the cost for it.
The credentials of the doctor could also contribute in determining the cost for
a liposuction procedure. Therefore, you can expect to pay more to experienced
and well-known doctors. Patients are faced with the dilemma of whether to opt
for the higher cost procedures that ensure better results over cheaper ones.
Potential Risks with Liposuction
When choosing a surgeon you need to find one who is honest enough to explain the
risks involved instead of downplaying it. A good cosmetic surgeon is one who
provides you with enough information regarding the potential risks of the
surgery as well as the benefits.
According to studies relating to liposuction procedures, an estimated 1-4% of
patients who undergo this procedure suffer from complications or negative
outcome. This is a rare case but is not something you should dismiss altogether.
The following are possible complications from liposuction procedures:
• Nerve damage
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Seizures
Your Liposuction Procedure Choices
Keeping that in mind, you can now determine what type of liposuction technique
to undergo to treat certain areas of the body. Proper knowledge of these
variations will enable you to choose the most suitable procedure to achieve the
results you want. Make sure to consult with your doctor so you can both decide
on the proper procedure to use.
Areas That Can Be Treated With Liposuction
Liposuction is a specific type of procedure done on certain areas of the body
where there is a major fat deposit. However, it does not aim to achieve weight
loss but only serve cosmetic purposes such as contouring the shape of your body.
It is important that every patient is aware of what liposuction can and cannot
do for your body. In some, women undergo liposuction to reduce the size of their
breasts, which results in less scarring as compared to other plastic surgical
procedures.
It is also possible to perform liposuction on several different areas of the
body at once, or during the same surgical operation. Here are areas that may
undergo liposuction procedure:
• Inner or outer thighs
• Arms
• Waist
• Hips
• Jaw line or Chin
• Neck
• Buttocks
• Calf
• Back
• Abdomen
• Ankle
Liposuction Procedures
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The Different Types of Liposuction Procedures
It is a conscious effort on the part of medical and health professionals to look
for newer types of liposuction procedures to ensure safety and efficacy. While
you can expect complications to arise with any surgery, there are certain
choices that entail less risk on the patient's health.
Tumescent Liposuction
This type of liposuction procedure is done by injecting a solution such as
epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline into the fat within the body. Lidocaine
serves as the local anesthetic, while epinephrine constricts the capillaries
within the fat. This solution contributes to the swelling of the fat tissues and
firms it up. Due to the constriction of the capillaries, it takes a while for
the body to absorb the lidocaine.
The patient is no longer required to undergo general anesthetic before the
procedure is performed. Some doctors would recommend this type of procedure due
to the minimal loss of blood, as compared to other types of liposuction.
Wet Liposuction Technique
This type of liposuction procedure uses general anesthesia. By injecting local
anesthesia that contains epinephrine to the specific area it reduces the amount
of blood loss. As compared to the dry technique though, there is still a large
amount of blood loss for this technique. This is because blood comprises 15 to
20% of the total amount of tissues removed from the patient's body. After this
procedure is done, blood transfusion is often required.
This used to be the most common technique used in liposuction. However, the
implementation of this procedure has reduced over the years as safer methods are
being developed.
Super-Wet Technique
The same with wet technique, this one also requires general anesthesia. Then,
diluted local anesthesia solution is injected into the area of the body to be
treated. Unlike wet technique though, blood consists of only about 8% of the
total amount of tissues removed from the body.
Its main difference from the procedures mentioned above is the amount of
solution injected into the fat tissues. The solution used for this technique is
reduced as compared to the tumescent and wet technique, wherein there is very
minimal lidocaine involved.
Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
This type of liposuction procedure utilizes ultrasonic energy, which is
delivered into the fat tissues of the body through a paddle or metal probe. This
energy causes the fat to liquefy, thus making it easier to remove while also
minimizing damage on the surrounding tissues and nerves.
Since this is a relatively new technique, surgeons proceed with caution when
performing this technique. However, the introduction of this type of procedure
has broadened the number of people who can now try liposuction.
Ultrasonic liposuction allows overweight individuals to undergo liposuction due
to reduced level of blood loss. Meanwhile, patients who have undergone this
procedure report less to no cases of post-operative pain.
Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
Just like Ultrasonic liposuction, power assisted liposuction is a new technique.
As the name implies, it involves the use of power to create an oscillating
movement on the cannula as it penetrates the body fats.
Because the device used is easy to control, it enables surgeons to precisely
remove the unwanted fat. The vibrations caused by the oscillating movement of
the tube enables fat to break up and suction out easily. When using this
technique, the entire procedure generally takes lesser time to complete.
In a recent study by the Tulane University Health Sciences Center, it was
revealed that using the PAL technique leads to 30% more fat removal as compared
to manual liposuction. On the other hand, there is also a reduced period of
recovery time for the patient.
But, as with any other surgery, there are certain risks involved with this
procedure. Therefore, patients are advised to opt only for skilled doctors who
have enough expertise and knowledge on using the PAL technique.
Preparation
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Preparing for Your Procedure
Before undergoing liposuction, it is important that you prepare yourself
mentally and physically. Regardless of your reason for liposuction, it will have
a long-term impact on your health. Making the necessary preparations before the
procedure will ensure that you achieve desirable results from the procedure.
Pre-Surgical Preparation
While liposuction is a procedure that helps address problems in your body
regardless of your diet choice or lack of exercise, you need to bear in mind
that this is still a surgical procedure. You can help yourself eliminate the
level of anxiety experienced before surgery by informing yourself on how the
process works. Proper knowledge will ensure that you know what to do when the
procedure goes wrong, or that you know what to expect.
It is therefore important that you work together with your surgeon in this
preparation stage.
Pre-Surgical Consultation
The consultation stage with your doctor prior to surgery is the best time to
educate yourself on the entire procedure. This will also serve as your planning
session with your doctor, who will discuss the following:
• Proper type of procedure for you to undergo
• What are the risks and limitations of the operation?
• The kind of anesthesia to use
• The type of facility where operation will take place
• Cost of the entire procedure
• Medications you will need during and after the procedure
• Post-operative care
Aside from these, you also need to discuss any existing medical conditions so
your doctor is aware of any complications that may arise. After careful
evaluation and assessment, your doctor will offer you advice and tips concerning
your health. This might come in the form of guidelines on your diet, or any
lifestyle modifications you might need to do following the procedure.
Practical Consideration and Preparations
During and after your surgery, you are most likely unable to perform your
'normal' duties. The recovery stage is crucial; hence, you need to take note of
these preparations so everything else is smooth sailing afterwards.
1. While this is not mandatory, some doctors recommend their patients get some
blood drawn before the liposuction procedure, in case it will be needed during
the surgery.
2. Arrange someone to drive you home once the procedure is through.
3. During your recovery time, you will be unable to perform ordinary chores on
your own. Hence, you can enlist the help of a person or two (whether a family
member, spouse, or children) to help you around the house.
4. Pack loose or comfortable clothes that you can use after the surgery.
5. Get good quality sleep the night before your surgery.
Actual Day of the Procedure
When you arrive at the facility where your surgery is about to take place, your
doctor will ask you to sign a consent form. This serves as proof that you intend
to proceed with the operation while understanding the full risks involved,
possible complications and outcomes, after considering other alternatives to
liposuction before choosing to undergo this procedure.
The pre-op steps may vary from one doctor to another, but this is a basic
procedure. Then, your surgeon will start to mark the skin of areas to be
treated. After that, a picture of you will be taken so you can compare the
results after the procedure is completed. You will now be asked to change into
the dressing gown to get started with the surgery.
It is important to discuss with your doctor beforehand the type of anesthesia to
choose because he or she might have any other instructions to give out. For
instance, if you will undergo general anesthesia, you are advised not to drink
or eat anything within 6 hours prior to the surgery. Doing so will avoid the
possibility of an upset stomach once you've been injected with the anesthesia.
Other Pointers to Keep In Mind
These are special reminders from your surgeon before liposuction to avoid
complications:
• In case you are taking birth control pills, doctors would advise to
discontinue your intake and opt for another contraceptive method following the
surgery. This reduces the possibility of blood clots in your legs.
• Within 7 to 10 days prior to your surgery, avoid the following types of
medications: ibuprofen, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal
drugs. These might contribute to excessive bleeding during and after your
surgery.
• For smokers, you need to quit smoking before and after liposuction due to the
risk of chest infections from the anesthesia.
During the Procedure
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What Takes Place During the Procedure
Administering the Anesthesia
Any type of surgical procedure, like liposuction, begins with the injection of
anesthesia, whether local or general. The term anesthesia literally means
“without pain”. Hence, it is administered to help create a numbing effect on
specific areas of the body where surgery is to be performed.
However, the decision on whether to use local or general anesthesia is what you
should be aware of. In local anesthesia, the doctor will inject the numbing
solution on a targeted area of the body. Therefore, the patient remains
conscious during the entire liposuction procedure.
General anesthesia, on the other hand, is administered in two ways: through a
needle injection or as gas. This will put the patient to sleep while the surgeon
performs the operation. When the patient awakes following the procedure, he or
she will still feel numbness in the treated area of the body with little to no
pain.
The Actual Liposuction Procedure
Concept-wise, the procedure for liposuction is quite simple. However,
complications could arise due to lack of experience and knowledge on the
surgeon's part. Here is a basic outline on what goes on in the actual process of
liposuction surgery.
Making Incisions
Once anesthesia has been administered and the numbing effect starts to take its
effect on the patient's body, the surgeon can now start the first step in the
liposuction procedure – creating the incisions. In some cases, extra fluids are
injected before the incision is made.
Then, a tiny incision is done on the specific area of the body to be treated.
The size of the incision varies from ¼ to ¾ inch.
Removal of Fat
After the incision, your surgeon can now insert a narrow vacuum tube called a
cannula. From the incision, the tube penetrates into the deep layers of fat. As
the surgeon moves the cannula back and forth, it will cause the fat cells to
break up into more manageable pieces. Then, a vacuum pump or syringe is used to
suction them out of the body.
The amount of blood and other fluids lost during this process requires
replacement fluid for the body.
Closing the Incisions
It depends on your surgeon's discretion whether to close the incision by
stitching them up or leaving them open. Other doctors choose the latter option
because it decreases the amount of bruising and swelling suffered by the patient
after surgery.
Post-Surgical Procedures
After the completion of liposuction procedure, a certain amount of fluid is
maintained beneath the surface of your skin. If your doctor decides to stitch up
the incision, those fluids will easily drain leading to the formation of bruises
and swelling. Therefore, doctors often suggest that their patient wear elastic
compression garment (think of a girdle) after the surgery. This will cause your
blood vessels to absorb all those extra fluids.
Meanwhile, doctors can opt to leave the incision open several days after the
procedure. This enables the fluid to drain away from the area, a few days after
the surgery. You will also be asked to wear a compression garment so as to
properly drain those fluids. Aside from that, you will also avoid staining your
clothes with blood or other fluid.
Impact on Areas of the Body
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How Does it Reduce Areas of the Body
As a surgical procedure, liposuction helps eliminate localized excess fat
deposits in certain areas of your body. These fats are often the reason why
there are certain bulges in areas such as the abdomen, neck, thighs, among other
areas. With the advancement of medical technology also comes the advancement of
procedures used to perform liposuction. All of these are geared toward safer
procedures that achieve optimum results.
Reducing Areas of the Body
Common areas of the body wherein there is a stubborn build up of fat include the
following:
• face
• Neck
• Upper arms
• Abdomen (upper or lower)
• Flank
• Thighs (inner or outer)
• Knee
• Calves
• Buttocks
To help reduce the specific area of your body, liposuction deals with two layers
of fat in your body: the superficial layer and deep compartments. The
superficial layer is evenly thick throughout most parts of the body. Meanwhile,
the deep compartments mostly exist in those problematic areas listed above.
You do not need to be overweight in order to have localized bulges of fat in
your body. Most of these bulges are due to fat in the deep compartments. These
are often caused by hereditary factors, which make them 'stubborn' and cannot be
eliminated despite regular exercise and proper diet. Thus, the only solution for
getting rid of that excess fat is through surgical fat removal known as
liposuction.
Once those stubborn areas have been treated, you can now achieve a more
symmetrical and balanced contour of the body.
Not a Weight Loss Program
One of the few reasons why those who undergo liposuction are dissatisfied with
the result is because they were expecting to reduce weight in the process. This
is repeatedly stressed by doctors and physicians alike: liposuction is not
intended as a weight reduction procedure. Therefore, if you are setting this
unrealistic goal, then you need to re-evaluate whether this is the right type of
procedure for you.
Moreover, liposuction is often known as a contouring or body sculpting
procedure. It only serves to enhance the natural contours of your body to create
a more appealing physical appearance. To achieve that, fats that cause bulging
in certain areas are removed to blend with its natural outline.
If you want to achieve better results, doctors would recommend that you undergo
weight reduction procedures first, whether through exercise or diet, before
proceeding with liposuction. This is especially important for localized fat
residues wherein diet and exercise will not help you get rid of.
Factors to Consider
There are several factors that contribute to the success of a liposuction
procedure. A few of them is the elasticity and quality of the patient's
overlying skin. Once the excessive fat is removed, it will cause the skin to
either shrink or contract after achieving a new profile to your body. On the
other hand, if you previously have loose skin, then the procedure could cause
more looseness on your skin. Hence, the result is undesirable.
There is no distinguished age wherein undergoing the procedure is much
advocated. However, it is not best recommended once you are over the age of 45
or 50 because your skin has already lost its natural elasticity during this age.
Liposuction as a Body Sculpting Technique
Since it was already pointed out that liposuction is not a weight loss method,
it is primarily for sculpting and re-shaping areas of your body for better
symmetry. There are several body sculpting techniques available but liposuction
is among the top choices. By eliminating excessive fat or skin that is
non-responsive to diet changes, it produces a better shaped figure.
The best aspect about liposuction as a technique is that it is able to target
specific areas where there is a major fat deposit problem. After a few weeks
following the surgery, you will begin to see desired results.
Aside from improving the shape of your body, your overall self-image is also
given a boost. You will start to feel more comfortable about your choices of
clothes and the way you carry yourself in public. Just keep in mind that
liposuction only targets specific bulging areas of your body instead of an
overall weight loss. Then you will begin to enjoy the wonderful benefits of a
liposuction procedure, given the fact that you had realistic goals before
deciding to undergo this procedure.
After Liposuction
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After Liposuction - What to Expect - How to Evaluate your results
As a body sculpting and fat removal technique, liposuction procedure is
basically done for cosmetic purposes. Because of this, results are evaluated
through patient satisfaction. Aside from the avoidance of health complications
and risks, there is no clear basis as to whether results are satisfactory or
not. This is where proper communication between doctor and patient proves of
utmost importance.
There are a few signals to look into in terms of normal post-operative results
for liposuction.
What Happens During Post-Surgery?
Immediately following your liposuction surgery, there are certain amounts of
fluid that are drained from your incisions. This is completely normal. In fact,
some doctors recommend a drainage tube underneath the surface of your skin
within a couple days following the procedure. This will help prevent the
build-up of these fluids.
Meanwhile, you might also be required by your doctor to wear an elastic garment
to minimize swelling and enable your skin to fit into its new contours following
the procedure. This should be worn on the treated area over a period of few
weeks. Doctors would often prescribe antibiotics to their patient as a way to
curtail infection.
Despite recent advancements in liposuction techniques, some level of discomfort
on the patient's part cannot be totally avoided. There is still a bit of pain,
swelling, burning, temporary numbness, or bleeding in the treated area. Other
times, you will feel sore and stiff for a few days after undergoing liposuction.
All of these post-operative conditions are often exhibited within a few days or
weeks after liposuction, so you should not worry when you suffer from any of
these.
More on Recovery Garments
Doctors typically require compression garments to be worn by patients
immediately after the liposuction procedure. They serve as support for the
treated areas while also reducing the amount of swelling or bruising.
The types of compression garments administered vary immensely: some are snug and
tight, while others allow more space. In recent years, less snug garments are
produced in the market for post-operative purposes.
However, most of these garments are made up materials similar to aerobics suit
or leotards wherein it fits all sizes. There is also quite a large variety of
garments produced these days to make wearing it more efficient for patients.
There are those that are created like underwear so they can be worn underneath
other types of clothing. Meanwhile, others are loose-fitting so it can be worn
over your other garments.
Wearing of compression garments vary from patient to patient though, since some
find it comfortable while others don't.
Recovery Period
Any type of surgical procedure requires gradual healing. However, most doctors
would require you to do some walking to reduce the possibility of swelling.
Meanwhile, this will also prevent the formation of blood clots in your leg area.
On average, patients can expect to go back to work within just a few days. As
for the stitches, they are either removed or disappear for about a week or up to
10 days.
However, strenuous activities are highly discouraged within a month following
the surgery. This is because your body is still in its healing stage. Bruising
and swelling normally appear after 3 weeks, while others take up to six months
before they are fully gone.
Your surgeon would often scheduled visits so they can monitor the progress of
your condition. Meanwhile, they will also try to assess, depending on your
condition, whether there is a need for additional procedures. During your visit,
take time to ask your doctor questions if you are suffering from any unusual
symptoms such as tremendous pain or excessive bleeding.
Seeing the Results
Due to the presence of bruising or swelling during your recovery period, it is
not until you are past this stage wherein you can see noticeable difference in
the shape or look of your body as a result of the surgery. However, you can
expect these changes to improve and become more pronounced after a period of 4
to 6 weeks. During that time, swelling is completely gone. It is when you reach
the 3-month period where you can visibly see the new contours of your body.
Now that you have achieved that shape, you must enhance it by modifying your
unhealthy diet and looking at exercising more regularly.
Potential Complications
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Possible Complications and Side Effects
Liposuction should not be taken lightly. Like any surgical procedure,
liposuction has its own share of possible complications and side effects. These
complications and side effects can range from minor to life-threatening.
Death Rate in Liposuction
Studies reveal that for every ten thousand liposuction surgeries, the risk of
death is lowered to three. Meanwhile, other findings say it's twenty to a
hundred. Medical experts assume there is a higher death rate if surgical
procedures are performed simultaneously.
Truth is, liposuction is absolutely a risky procedure that serious complications
and side effects cannot be avoided. In unfortunate cases, it has even led to
death.
Possible Complications of Liposuction
Even with skilled doctors, there is still room for mistakes that could
potentially be hazardous to your health. The most common complications are:
1) Infection
Serious infections are rare after liposuction because most doctors prescribe
antibiotics as a precaution for their patients. In rare cases, necrotizing
fasciitis is the name of the lethal bacteria. This bacteria causing infection
eats body tissue spreading until your life is at risk.
2) Fluid Imbalances
During the procedure, your doctor might inject you with a large amount of fluid
inside your system. Sad to say, this can cause fluid imbalances that result in
kidney malfunction, cardiac problems and excess fluid in the lungs.
3) Perforations
4) Anesthesia
Some people tend to suffer adverse reactions to anesthesia. You need to discuss
your allergies or history with your doctor so he can assess whether it is safe
enough to proceed with the operation.
5) Embolisms
This term refers to a medical condition which involves the obstruction or
occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus. An embolus is defined as material
that has not dissolved and is carried by the blood.
6) Nerve damage
This is a condition wherein you feel needle-like pains in certain areas of your
body such as the face, stomach, etc. This condition is called neuralgia.
7) Emotional and sexual changes
Some reports indicate various incidents of post-liposuction depression. This
condition is similar to postpartum depression. Patients might feel extreme forms
of sadness that may lead to suicidal tendencies. This situation will not last
for a long time but it is still advisable to address it with your physician.
Possible Side Effects of Liposuction
After undergoing liposuction, there are some inevitable side effects that a
patient might feel. Here are some of them:
1) Wrinkling
Some people can experience wrinkling in their skin after liposuction especially
if your skin elasticity is vulnerable to stretch marks and other skin dimpling.
Skin wrinkling can be minimized through operative massage. For this reason, it
is recommended that you discuss these wrinkling episodes with your cosmetic
surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
2) Swelling and Bruising
After liposuction, especially in the abdominal area, one might experience some
swelling and bruising due to the downward pull of the fluids injected inside the
body. This condition can be relieved through massage and compression.
3) Pain and Discomfort
This is another common side effect after the surgery. The feeling is simply
similar to the soreness you feel after a rigorous workout. But after two weeks
of medication, the pain disappears.
4) Muscle spasms
Muscle spasms are common and will quickly disappear after the surgery. It is
common to experience muscle spasms in the area of your liposuction. This should
disappear fairly quickly after your surgery.
5) Sensation Changes
A person may feel high or low skin sensations after the operation. This can also
lead to numbness and other skin irregularities. A regular skin massage should be
done to lessen this feeling of discomfort.
If You Are Unhappy
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What to Do If you aren’t Happy with the Results
Whether you have realistic cosmetic goals or not, there are several reasons why
some patients are dissatisfied with the result of their liposuction procedure.
However, there are also several ways to deal with this dilemma and find
satisfactory results. You can opt to consult with your doctor on this for a more
guided decision while ensuring the safety of your health.
About Patient Satisfaction
According to medical research, 90% of patients who undergo liposuction and other
types of cosmetic surgery are satisfied with the results. Different factors are
considered when coming up with these figures.
Satisfaction percentage is largely due to the specific type of procedure done on
the patient and the results achieved. For instance, neck liposuction achieved
high levels of satisfaction from patients who underwent this procedure.
Another consideration for patient satisfaction is time. Some patients attest
that although they are not initially satisfied with the results of the
procedure, they become happier as time progresses. Meanwhile, other patients
become less satisfied with time.
Satisfaction After Liposuction
Several studies are conducted to analyze the level of satisfaction of patients.
This is of utmost importance, considering the level of popularity of this
particular surgical aesthetic procedure. With many variables to consider,
patient satisfaction is essential in evaluating the success of the procedure.
Here are a few findings regarding patient satisfaction gathered by a
free-standing surgery center:
• 8 out of 10 people who underwent liposuction are happy with the results,
• Half of the patients who undergo liposuction are of the ideal weight, while
14% are obese,
• The abdomen is the most common area treated for liposuction,
• People who undergo a single liposuction session had more than one area of
their body treated.
In determining the level of patient satisfaction following a procedure, the
attitude of the patient prior to the procedure is taken into consideration. This
is mostly done after a certain period of time wherein results have become
visible and patients achieve a well-shaped body.
Breakdown of Target Areas
As mentioned, the level of patient satisfaction is largely impacted by the
specific type of liposuction procedure done. A large percentage of patients who
choose to undergo liposuction address more than one area of the body. Meanwhile,
only 24% of the patients comprise those who treat a single area of the body in
one session. The keyword here is multiple, reflected by the following figures:
• Liposuction on 2 body areas – 24%
• Liposuction on 3 body areas – 24%
• Liposuction on 4 body areas – 16%
• Liposuction on 5 body areas – 4%
• Liposuction on 6 body areas – 4%
• Liposuction on 7 body areas – 2%
• Liposuction on 8 body areas – less than 1%
Dealing with Unsatisfactory Results
Although most people undergoing liposuction enjoy the benefits, there are a few
others who have less than desirable results. If unrealistic cosmetic goals are
out of the way, it could be due to some irregularity in the surgical operation
of the fat.
Irregularity or waviness of the surface is a common problem faced by most people
following their liposuction procedure. Although this is often associated with
less experienced surgeon, there were a few cases of the same result even with
highly skilled surgeons.
Since most doctors anticipate this condition, they create multiple tiny
incisions in the area to be treated. Meanwhile, smaller cannulae are also used
to penetrate the incision and into the body fat. Another technique used by most
surgeons to avoid irregularity is cross suctioning. By superficial and deep
suctioning, it reduces the possibility of feathered edges around the area of
your body.
As soon as these irregularities show up, most patients are advised to not
proceed with another procedure yet until after 6 to 12 months. For some
patients, massage is enough to deal with it. However, there might come a point
wherein surgical correction is needed. When this happens, surgeons will suction
those areas and fill them in with fat grafts. For loose skin, it can be removed
through excision.
Cellulite is another problem following liposuction, since it worsens in some
cases. For this, ultrasonic liposuction is the recommended form of treatment.
This type of liposuction procedure is also effective in removing fibrous fats
that achieve a better result when compared to traditional liposuction
techniques.
Final Words
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Taking Care of your Body Before and After the Liposuction Procedure
What Should You Do Before Your Surgery?
Research is the most important thing you should do before selecting liposuction.
Begin by reading articles, reviews and testimonials posted on different blogs,
forums and community sites. If you have any friends, relatives, or family
members that have undergone this particular surgery, take time to ask them
relevant questions. Never rush into making your decisions. Whether you like it
or not, you need to have a specific and well laid-out plan before proceeding
with any liposuction procedures.
Liposuction can lead to death. For this reason, choosing the best plastic
surgeon in town should be your top priority. Never rely on instinct; do your
research all over again. There are many top-notch license surgeons everywhere
and all you need to do is look for them. In most cases, your surgeon will
evaluate your overall medical history before he or she tells you if you are
really physically fit for liposuction.
If you are fit enough, your surgeon should provide you various reading materials
and instructions on what you need to do before the surgery. It's a common rule
not to smoke a month before your surgery. This no-smoking policy will help
lessen the possible complications during the liposuction procedure, which
includes chest infection after administering your anesthesia.
What Will You Do After Your Surgery?
You will feel an extreme form of stress and sore after a liposuction procedure.
For this reason, you should ask someone to take care of your needs. If you have
children, it's better to have a nanny or your relatives watch over them.
Usually, your plastic surgeon will ask you to wear compression garments after
your surgery. There are a variety of compression garments available in the
market. In fact, there are those specified for traditional or open drainage.
Wait for advice from your plastic surgeon before removing the compression
garment. Exercise will also help you recuperate faster but you still need to
wait for further instructions before doing so.
When you are healed, you still need to see your surgeon for monthly check-up.
This is to make sure you are experiencing the good benefits from the surgery and
avoid any serious complications. To avoid confusion, jot down all your important
appointments with your surgeon
Your overall health must be your top priority after your liposuction procedure.
Make sure you contact your surgeon anytime you need his or her immediate help.
Your surgeon is your friend, tell them everything. Never keep a secret. These
surgeons are trained to understand your physical and emotional outbursts while
undergoing recovery.
More Tips for Taking Care of Your Body
1. Immediately after your surgery, take time to rest your body. However, you
must not stay in bed the whole day. You can also do some gentle walking to
promote healthy circulation.
2. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of fluids. Meanwhile,
monitor the level of hydration for your body by ensuring that your urine is
light-colored. Do this monitoring every 4 to 6 hours.
3. Although there are no specific dietary restrictions following your surgery,
you must stay away from acidic or greasy foods. This will contribute to nausea.
4. For diabetics, monitor your level of sugar 3 times a day during the first
couple of days after the procedure.
5. Try to refrain from engaging in highly physical activities within the first
two weeks immediately after you had liposuction.
6. You must wait a minimum of two weeks before you proceed with your normal
exercise routine.
*********
DISCLAIMER: This information is not
presented as being from a medical practitioner and is for educational and
informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice
or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not
FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product
label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is
not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
*********
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