|
||
Liposuction, also known as is the most commonly performed plastic surgery in the United States - where more than 400,000 men and women annually undergo this procedure. A cosmetic surgery that contours and sculpts your body into a slimmer profile, Liposuction removes unwanted and excess fat. By reducing total body fat, it can help to lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Candidates
Three categories of men and women seek to achieve their ideal appearance, after trying unsuccessfully to do so through diet and exercise.
The first category of patients includes those who wish to reduce their size, including women who have gained weight due to pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations or medications. This category also includes men and women who undergo Large Volume Liposuction. Normally, this procedure involves the removal of about two litres of fat, about the size of a "Coke" bottle. During Large Volume Liposuction, however, five or more litres of fat are removed - resulting in a dramatic reduction in size.
The second category includes those who have disproportionate areas of fat in their abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, knees, cheeks and neck. These problem areas are commonly known as "saddlebags," "thunder thighs," "love handles" and "double chins." Often, these stubborn areas of fat have genetic origins, and cannot be reduced by diet and exercise.
The third category of patients includes men who suffer from Gynecomastia, excessive breast growth due to the enlargement of breast glands, and excess fatty tissue.
In all cases, men and women who undergo Liposculpture should have had a stabilized weight for at least six months. Lipoplastyis not a solution for ridding of stretch marks or of cellulite.
Techniques
There are three techniques which vary in safety and effectiveness. All involve the insertion of a cannula -- a small wand-like instrument connected to a high-powered suction machine -- into tiny incisions made by the plastic surgeon into the targeted area. It is through this instrument that the plastic surgeon draws fat from beneath the skin.
Tumescent Liposuction refers to the commonest, and safest, method. "Tumescence" is the swelling and firming of fatty tissues through the infusion of a saline solution that contains Lidocaine, an anesthetic with adrenaline, which reduces blood loss and bruising.
Your plastic surgeon will soak the area with a solution that is two to three times the amount of fat and fluids to be removed. In Super-Wet Tumescent Liposuction, however, tissues are infused with fluids equal to the amount of fat and fluids to be removed. Super-Wet Liposuction uses a solution that has smaller amounts of, or no, Lidocaine, reducing the risk of Lidocaine toxicity.
Once the area is sufficiently plumped up, the plastic surgeon removes the loosened fat cells, suctioning fat and fluid through transparent vacuum-like tubes.
Power Assisted Liposuction hastens the process by an electronic-powered cannula which, like a jackhammer, suctions fat more quickly. While it lessens the plastic surgeon's exertion, it also reduces the ability to contour with precision, especially in delicate areas like the neck and the face. Likewise, Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction, which bombards subcutaneous fatty tissues with waves of heat and energy and was developed for use in more fibrous areas, has a high rate of risks and complications such as burns, and is not a patient's best option.
Results
For optimal results, this procedure should be performed by a plastic surgeon who has a honed aesthetic sense, as well as excellent surgical skills. The surgeon must work diligently to locate the appropriate areas of subcutaneous fat in order to successfully sculpt and contour those areas. It is therefore of the utmost importance to select a cosmetic surgeon who has the highest credentials, a fine artistic sense and who is highly experienced.
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 do not respond to traditional weight loss methods.
Best candidates for liposuction:
The best candidates for are people who are near their ideal weight and have firm, elastic skin with pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy and realistic with your expectations. Individuals with certain medical conditions may not be 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 a small amount of fat and a limited number of areas are involved, liposuction can be performed under local or twighlight anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. General anesthesia is a good choice for more extensive procedures. In such cases the anesthesiologist makes sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.
Preparing for surgery:
Patients should stop taking anticoagulants for two weeks prior to surgery. Smoking must be avoided for at least one month prior to surgery as it can interfere 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 a 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. The patient is under careful observation throughout the procedure and receives intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.
Techniques used in liposuction:
The basic technique of as described above is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. A medicated solution is normally injected into the fatty areas before the fat is removed. The fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) in order to 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.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction:
This technique uses a special cannula that produces ultrasound energy. As the cannula passes through the fat areas, the energy ruptures the fat cell walls which then liquefies the fat. The fat is removed by a suction pump. The fibrous areas of the body like the upper back or enlarged male breasts can be treated effectively with this type of technique.
Recovery:
To control swelling a compression garment will be worn for several weeks. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. You may experience some initial discomfort, swelling, and temporary numbness. All of this will subside with time; depending on the amount of liposuction, normal activity can be resumed anywhere from 10 days to 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. Drink sufficient water to avoid dehydration. Avoid alcohol for a few days. Avoid submerging in bathtubs or swimming pools. More strenuous activity should be avoided for several weeks to a month, as your body continues to heal. By eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you will help maintain your new shape.