Liposuction

Accumulation of excess body fat leads to obesity which affects not only our health but also disproportionates our body contours.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas.

Most of the time people opt for conservative treatment in form of various slimming programs, dietary capsules & oil massage. The benefits are usually transient as a patient can not stick to such stringent programs for life long, resulting in rebound weight gain, which may even be worse than before.

Aim

Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improving body contours and proportion, and ultimately enhancing self-image. Once excess fat is removed, the contour is diminished and overlying skin becomes adherent to underlying musculature. Note: This should be very clear that this is a body sculpturing procedure (for cosmetic purposes) not a weight reduction procedure.

Techniques

The liposuction procedure depends on the specific technique that is used. The surgeon will select the appropriate technique based on your treatment goals, the area of your body to be treated, and whether you have had other liposuction procedures in the past. The quality of the result is dependent on the skills of the surgeon.

• Pinch test :- A pinch test is done to assess the fat deposition under the skin because a protuberant abdomen may not be due to excess fat but because of poor muscle tone & faulty posture.
• Tumescent infiltration :-Patients who are treated for one or two small areas can be done under local anaesthesia without sedation. Most of the patients require larger / multiple areas operated under general anaesthesia.
• Tumescent liposuction :- This is the most common type of liposuction. The surgeon injects a sterile solution — a mixture of salt water, which aids fat removal, an anaesthetic (lidocaine) to relieve pain, and a drug (epinephrine) that causes the blood vessels to constrict — into the area that's being treated. The fluid mixture causes the affected area to swell and stiffen. The surgeon then makes small cuts into your skin and inserts a thin tube called a cannula under your skin. The cannula is connected to a vacuum that suctions fat and fluids from your body. Your body fluid may be replenished through an intravenous (IV) line.
• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) :- This type of liposuction is sometimes used in conjunction with traditional liposuction. During UAL, the surgeon inserts a metal rod that emits ultrasonic energy under your skin. This ruptures the fat-cell walls and breaks down the fat for easier removal. A new generation of UAL called VASER-assisted liposuction uses a device that may improve skin contouring and reduce the chance of skin injuries.
• Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) :- This technique uses high-intensity laser light to break down fat for removal. During LAL, the surgeon inserts a laser fiber through a small incision in the skin and emulsifies fat deposits. The fat is then removed via a cannula.
• Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) :- This type of liposuction uses a cannula that moves in a rapid back-and-forth motion. This vibration allows the surgeon to pull out tough fat more easily and faster. PAL may sometimes cause less pain and swelling and can allow the surgeon to remove fat with more precision. Your surgeon may select this technique if large volumes of fat need to be removed or if you've had a previous liposuction procedure.

After the Surgery

• Can be discharged same day evening or the next morning.
• Most patients are ambulatory within 48 hours & return to routine household activities (sedimentary) within 5 – 7 days. It takes 3 – 4 weeks to return to normal exercise & sports activities.
• Wearing compression garments minimizes post-operative swelling & helps achieve the final result more quickly. Post-operative compression garments depend on the numbers and anatomic location of treated areas.

Side Effects

• Swelling & brushing.
• 75% of the swelling subsides in 4 weeks, rest 25% may take -12 weeks. Bruising may last for 3 – 4 weeks.
• The outcome of the procedure takes 6 -12 weeks.

Complications

• Hematoma / Seroma.
• Infection - although very rare but may occur.
• Facial nerve injury.
• DVT & Pulmonary embolism.

The factor that increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis(DVT) & Pulmonary embolism(PE ) include age > 40 years, obesity, diabetes, prolonged operation.