Body plastic surgery

Liposuction (liposculpture)

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"), liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo ("suction-assisted fat removal") is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere. The contouring (sculpting) possible with liposuction may cause the appearance of weight loss to be greater than the actual amount of fat removed.

liposuction belly before		Liposuction belly after
Liposuction belly before		Liposuction belly after
Before liposuction of the hips		After liposuction of the hips
Before liposuction of the hips		After liposuction of the hips
Before liposuction breast development in men (gyneacomasty)		After liposuction breast development in men (gyneacomasty)

What is liposuction?

Simply put, liposuction is the surgical removal of fat cells through a stainless steel suction tube called a cannula. Liposuction was first performed in 1974 and was a tremendous improvement over previous surgical body contouring techniques. There have been many advances in liposuction procedures over the last few decades, making it one of the safest and most popular body contouring surgeries in the world.

Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

If you are considering liposuction, it is important that you have realistic expectations. Although dramatic results can be achieved, they may not be as immediate or obvious as you would like. As with all plastic surgery, the success of liposuction will depend on a number of individual factors, such as age, skin elasticity, weight, and overall health. Liposuction is not appropriate for people with a weakened immune system, diabetes, heart or artery problems, or a history of blood clots or restricted blood flow.

You are a good candidate for liposuction if you are of normal weight; have healthy, elastic skin; and have specific “trouble areas” such as the tummy, thighs, and butt that will not respond to changes in diet and exercise.

Fat can "settle" in certain parts of the body. Women gain fat mostly in the stomach, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Men, on the other hand, can gain fat in the belly and waist. Liposuction may help people who want to have less fat in these parts of their body. But it is not for people who are very overweight.

Liposuction is also appropriate for women who are considering breast reduction, and for men who suffer from gynecomastia, or male breast development.

Procedure liposuction

The basic liposuction procedure involves the insertion of a small, tube-like instrument called a cannula through tiny incisions (only one per area) made by the surgeon. The cannula then breaks up and vacuums away unwanted fat deposits beneath the skin. Local or IV sedation will be used, depending on the type and number of liposuction procedures you undergo.

A special liposuction machine and liposuction tools are used. Mostly the person will be given medicine and fall asleep. The surgeon will then push small liposuction tools through the skin into the fat pockets. The liposuction tools will break up the fat and suck it out. Small tubes may be placed in the area to help drain fluids for the first few days after the liposuction surgery.

Recovery liposuction

Depending on the extent of the liposuction, patients are generally able to return to work or school between two days and two weeks. A compression garment or bandage is worn for two to four weeks after liposuction.

After a liposuction the person will wear special clothing over the area to help cut down on swelling and bleeding. This clothing is called a compression garment. The clothing presses on the skin and tissue underneath. It will also help the skin shrink and fit the new body shape after liposuction.

If non-absorbable sutures are placed, they will be removed after five to ten days.

Any pain is controlled by a prescription or over-the-counter medication, and may last as long as two weeks, depending on the particular liposuction procedure. Bruising will fade after a few days or maybe as long as two weeks later. Swelling will subside in anywhere from two weeks to two months, while numbness may last for several weeks. Normal activity can be resumed anywhere from several days to several weeks afterwards, depending on the liposuction procedure. The final result will be evident anywhere from one to six months after liposuction, although the patient will see noticeable difference within days or weeks, as swelling subsides.

The suctioned fat cells are permanently gone. However, if the patient does not maintain a proper diet and exercise regimen, the remaining fat cell neighbors could still enlarge, creating irregularities.

The good news is the proportion of change in your body is permanent.  It is this very reason why liposuction is one of the most common forms of cosmetic surgery. 

Complications of liposuction

Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the physician is adequately trained. Though they are rare, complications can and do occur. Risks increase if more than one area is treated at the same time, or if the operative sites are larger in size. Removal of a large amount of fat and fluid may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations.

The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after lipoplasty. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even ‘baggy,&rsqou; especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.