Liposuction has many names such as liposculpture, lipoplasty and suction lipectomy

Liposuction means removing fat at different places through cosmetic surgery. For an

example you can target areas such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks,

neck, and back of the arms. A hollow tube called a cannula, and a

suction device called an aspirator is used.

As we all know some fat deposits may not reduce because of dieting and

exercising. For such areas liposuction is the best option.

You may have negative aspects to removing fat in any area. There are

many factors which limit the fat removal from the body in one session.

Both the doctor and the patient should discuss this matter. If too much

is removed, you may see lumpiness and/or indentations on the skin. The

surgical risk becomes higher when more fat is being removed. We can say

that the more fat that is removed the more the risk rises.

Popularity:

In USA 68 % of the population is over weight. This makes it predictable

that liposuction is very frequently performed there. Normally it is

used to remove only 10 to 15 pounds off the body. Removing more fat

than that can be life threatening and impossible too. The American

society of plastic surgeons defines large as 5 liters.

Frequent areas performed are:

1. The abdomen and thighs in women.

2. The abdomen and flanks in men.

Candidacy required for liposuction:

Not every person is eligible for liposuction. It's not a good

alternative for dieting and exercising.

A person needs to be

1. over 18

2. healthy surgical candidate

3. A person who has already tried the diet and

exercise regime and still found the 10 or 15 pounds remaining on the

body.

Different techniques of liposuction:

These can be categorized by the amount of fluid injected and by the

mechanism in which the cannula works

The amount of fluid injection:

1. dry liposuction

This

method is rarely used these days.

2. wet liposuction

A

technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas

before the fat is removed. The liquid contains

• Lidocaine: as a local anesthetic

• Epinephrine: to contract the blood vessels and thus

minimize bleeding

• a salt solution.

3. superwet

liposuction

This technique is preferred for high volume liposuction. This technique

is similar to the tumescent , except that lesser amounts of fluid are

used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of

fat to be removed.

4. tumescent

liposuction

In the tumescent technique, the fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt

solution, lidocaine and epinephrine helps the fat to be removed more

easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after

surgery. Bruising and swelling are reduced with fluid injection.

Mechanism of liposuction

1. Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL)

2. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)

3. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)

4. External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL or

EUAL)

Things to do before the surgery

[liposuction]:

There are some important things to be noted like

1. Antinflammatory & anticoagulants should not be

taken for two weeks before the surgery.

2. Fasting from midnight the night before is required

if the surgery will be done in the morning, and if you are given

general anesthesia.

3. If local anesthesia is given then you need not go

through the fasting.

4. Smoking is to be avioded for 2 weeks

pre-operatively.

Procedure of the liposuction surgery:

1. Before the surgery starts the surgeon should

discuss the areas where the fat will be removed and also discuss the

realistic outcome. The patient should be in agreement with the surgical

plan.

2. Then as per the procedure the consent form is to

be signed i.e. on the pre-op appointment.

3. There is a photo session at the pre-opertive

appointment.

4. The area where the fat is to be removed is marked

in the standing position.

5. IV will be started.

6. A prep solution such as Betadine is applied on the

area where the fat is to be removed.

7. Local anesthetic is injected (and the person may

also be given a sedative orally or through injection).

8. As the person will be losing fat and fluid

therefore there would be a fluid line.

9. The rest would be like any other surgery.

Monitoring includes blood pressure check, heart rate check, and blood

oxygen level.

10. If general anesthesia is given then the

patient can go home the same day as the operation.

Recovery

1. Ace bandage or a compression garnment will be worn

for 3 weeks.

2. Bandages should be changed as directed.

3. Sutures will be removed after five to ten days.

4. Pain killers can be taken as per the prescription.

5. Numbness may last for several weeks

6. Swelling and bruising will subside after a few

days.

7. Normal work can be resumed according to the

Doctors recommendation.

Side effects

1. Bruising

2. Swelling

3. Scars

4. Discomfort

5. Numbness

6. Limited mobility

Things to do to recover quickly:

1. Drinking plenty of water.

2. Avoiding alcohol

3. Avoiding the ice packs and heating packs

4. Working less and following the instructions given

by the doctor.

Author Profile:

Website: http://sadriancosmeticsurgery.com/

The author Tasha Haskell is with Sadrian Cosmetic Surgery and is an

expert on cosmetic surgery procedures. See All articles From Author Tags:

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Word Count Appx. : 757 | Article Views 730 Published 07-02-2007