Slim Medical - Liposuction
Liposuction - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is liposuction and liposculpting?
A: Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body’s contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle. Local fat deposits in certain problem areas are often hereditary and almost impossible to eliminate by exercise or dieting alone. However, they can be removed permanently by liposuction surgery.
Liposuction surgery uses a small stainless steel tube called a cannula. The cannula is inserted through tiny skin incisions and is connected at one end to a suction pump. The suction cannula creates small tunnels through the fatty deposits, and subsequently removes the fat tissue via suction. These tiny tunnels soon collapse, resulting in a body contour that is more desirable.
Q: What areas of the body can be treated by liposuction?
A: The areas that most frequently require liposuction are the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, and back.
Q: What is tumescent liposuction, and why is it better than traditional liposuction performed with general anesthesia?
A: Tumescent liposuction, or awake liposuction is the safest method of liposuction in the field of cosmetic surgery. Tumescent liposuction was developed by a dermatologist in the 1980s, and derives its name from the type of local anesthesia that was developed for this operation – tumescent local anesthesia.
Tumescent local anesthesia, also known as Klein’s Solution is a blend of lidocaine, epinephrine and sodium bicarbonate diluted in saline and administered directly into the fat layers. It produces anesthesia and constriction of blood vessels, which is beneficial in minimizing blood loss. After surgery, the tumescent solution is slowly absorbed through the bloodstream and metabolized through the liver.
Liposuction under local anesthesia is safer than liposuction under conscious sedation (IV sedation or twilight anesthesia) or liposuction under general anesthesia. First, the patient maintains all of the reflexes that protect the airway – the gag reflex that prevents the accidental aspiration of vomit or corrosive stomach acids into the lungs is maintained. Second, the patient’s legs maintain their tone, which protects against the formation of deep vein thromboses, or blood clots in the legs. Third, the patient is able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the surgery. This allows feedback and the ability to adjust the technique. Finally, tumescent liposuction allows the surgeon to constantly evaluate the cosmetic results of the procedure. This is done by having the patient stand up to determine if the desired body contours have been met. This is evident by the fact that the abdomen and other areas of the body have a completely different appearance when lying down as compared to standing up. For this reason, usually the results of tumescent liposuction are better than with either conscious sedation or general anesthesia.
Q: How does Tumescent liposuction result in better and smoother results than traditional liposuction?
A: Since very small cannulas are used with the Tumescent liposuction technique, there is better control and accuracy with each stroke. This reduces the risk of approaching the skin too closely and unintentionally causing skin irregularities during liposuction. Furthermore, using small cannulas allows the surgeon to make very small incisions that require no stitching, allow better drainage, and cause less bruising.
Q: How is fat distribution different throughout the body?
A: Body fat increases with age. Also, fat tends to accumulate according to genetic factors. Such fat distribution is usually resistant to exercise and dieting. The fat on the abdomen and hips of a woman after pregnancy is indicative of this genetic distribution. For most such people, liposuction is the only realistic means of changing the body’s outline. Further dieting will only cause removal of fat from desirable areas before it is released from the problem areas.
Q: Are the results of liposuction temporary or permanent?
A: Weight loss by dieting results in fat cells releasing some of their fat contents. However, even though the individual cells are smaller, they still remain intact. If caloric intake increases again, those same cells will bulk up again with fat. In contrast, with liposuction the fat cells are destroyed and permanently removed. Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. As long as an excessive amount of weight is not gained, the improved contour of body shape will remain.
A person that always tends to gain weight on the abdomen, thighs, or hips will find that after liposuction these areas are less likely than others to accumulate fat when weight is regained. The areas originally treated by liposuction generally maintain their new desirable contour, whereas areas not treated by liposuction are the sites of new fat deposits.
Q. What are the risks of liposuction?
A: Some side effects are always present, which include bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness. Another possibility is the formation of irregularities of the skin following liposuction, although this side effect is minimized by the Tumescent liposuction technique. Furthermore, the use of smaller microcannulas makes this risk even smaller. Healing continues for at least 6 months, so final results will not be evident until at least 3-4 months have passed. Although the results of liposuction are often remarkable, perfection is not a realistic expectation. Furthermore, liposuction does not improve cellulite formation.
Some serious but rare complications that can potentially occur with liposuction include infections, bleeding, skin necrosis (sloughing of the skin), nerve injury, or perforation and injury to internal organs.
Q: When can normal activities be resumed after liposuction?
A: Resumption of normal activities after liposuction is usually very quick. Most are able to return to light activity within a day or two after surgery, and heavier activity within a week. Most are surprised at how quickly they recover from liposuction.
Q: How much fat can be removed in one liposuction session?
A: There is a limit to the amount of fat that should be removed during liposuction. As a general rule, no more than 4 to 4.5 Liters of fat should be removed on any one day. If a patient requires removal of more fat, this can be accomplished by spreading out the liposuction over several weeks. Two or more sessions may be needed to remove all the desired fat, and so long as adequate time has passed, such large volume liposuction will be safe. Such planning must be individualized for each patient.