LIPOSUCTION

Lipoplasty, Lipectomy, liposculpture, body contouring

Procedures
Face
Breast
Body
Hair
Non Surgical

Indications

Liposuction is a good choice for a person with relatively normal Body Mass Index (BMI) having excess fat in specific areas of body such as

  • Thighs
  • Hips and buttocks
  • Abdomen and flanks
  • Upper arms
  • Back
  • Inner knee areas
  • Chest / Lateral Breast
  • Lower Cheeksand neck
  • Calves and ankles

Ideal candidates for liposuction are:

  • Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin tone and good muscle tone
  • Healthy individuals who do not have uncontrolled co-morbid medical conditions that can impair healing
  • Non-smokers
  • Individuals with a positive outlook and specific realistic goals in mind for body contouring.
procedure-achieve-bg

What does the procedure achieve?

Liposuction reshapes and recontoursspecific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits and improving your body proportions.

It is important to understand that Liposuction is not substitute for weight reduction by diet and exercise, but more a method for removal of localized deposits of fat which do not respond to diet control and exercise. Liposuction can be performed as the only procedure for body contouring or can be combined with procedures like tummy-tuck, thigh lift or brachiaplastyprocedures to tighten loose skin and supporting structures.

Contraindication

Any patient above 18 years of age who is physically and mentally healthy and wants to improve the shape and appearance of a bulky region of the body, is an eligible candidate. Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions, taking blood thinners or with cardiac ailment must approach this surgery with extreme caution

 

Anaesthesia

Depending on the area to be liposuctioned, volume of liposuction, surgeon preference and patient choice. Liposuction can be performed under local, regional, spinal or general anaesthesia.

During your consultation please be prepared to sincerely discuss:

  • Your surgical goals and concerns
  • Any pre-existing Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
  • Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobaccoand drug use
  • Previous surgeries and procedures of any kind

Your surgeon will also:

  • Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
  • Take photographs for documentation purposes and planning
  • Discuss your liposuction options
  • Recommend a course of treatment
  • Discuss likely outcomes of liposuction and any risks or potential complications

Prior to surgery, you will be asked to:

  • Get blood tests done or a medical evaluation
  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
  • Stop smoking at least 48-72 hours prior to surgery
  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.

Please be sure to ask your surgeons all the questionsabout liposuction till you are clear about the procedure. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether it is excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Donot be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Liposuction is performed by usingcannulae inserted through small skin incisions placed in hidden areas of body or in skin creases as much as possible. First an infiltration fluid is instilled to create a turgor in the area and reduce blood loss. Depending on the amount of fluid infiltrated this may be wet, super-wet or tumescent. Then the aspiration cannula connected to a suction machine which creates vacuum so thatthe fat gets sucked out, is moved back and forth through the area of liposuction in different planes. This is called Suction-assisted liposuction.

Your surgeon may use different types of liposuction devices depending on the area to be liposuctioned, surgeon preference or local tissue parameters. Please discuss about these options with your surgeon. These may be as follows:

  • Power-assisted Liposuction (PAL)
  • Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction (UAL) or Vaser
  • Radio-frequency assisted Liposuction (RAL)
  • Laser assisted liposuction (LAL)
  • Water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL)

Your improved body contour will be apparent immediately. However within 24 hours, there is swelling and bruising in the area of liposuction. This gradually subsides within 4-6 weeks. It takes about 3 months to see the final result of liposuction in any particular area. Maintenance of the result by continued practice of healthy diet and a regular exercise / fitness regime is mandatory.In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary. It is not possible to improve lax skin tone with liposuction

Liposuction is normally a day care procedure but post-operative stay always depends upon pre-operative morbidities of patient, volume of liposuction and any additional procedure done. Decision about post-operative stay is taken by the treating surgeon after considering all factors. In most cases, only overnight stay is required.

Postoperatively acompression garment needs to be worn 24/7 to control swelling and promote healing, for 6 weeks to 3 months continuously except at time of bath.These also help to compress and tighten the skin to your new body contours. Sutures are usually removed after 7 days.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for the surgical site, what medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. Any personal or vocational activity which subjects operative area to excessive force or motion during the time of healing like exercising or travelling in crowded places is to be avoided. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.

It may take several months for the swelling to fully dissipate and the area to become soft and supple again. As it does, your new contours and enhanced self-image should continue to develop.

Complications

The decision to have liposuction is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.


The risks include:

- Anesthesia risks

- Swelling and Bruising

- Change in skin sensations that may persist

- Fluid accumulation (Seroma)

- Infection

- Irregular contours or asymmetries

- Irregular hyperpigmentation

- Skin ischemia or necrosis

- Persistent swelling

- Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite

- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, abdominal organs

- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications

- Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with the ultrasound-assisted liposuction

- Need for revision surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Secondary procedures may sometimes be recommended to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are needed when large amounts – usually more than five liters of fat – are suctioned

suctioned