For some years now, liposuction has been one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Dermatology, thousands of men and women take control of their shape each year with this safe and effective cosmetic procedure. If diet and exercise have failed to reduce areas of unwanted fat, then liposuction may provide the help you are looking for. The procedure is designed to improve body shape and remove unwanted fat from areas such as face and neck, upper arms, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, hips, knees, calves, ankles and male breasts. Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercising, and it is not a weight-loss procedure. It is extremely effective in removing fat in areas that just do not respond to traditional weight reduction methods.
How Is The Liposuction Procedure Performed?
Liposuction, also known as Liposculpture, lipoplasty and suction lipectomy, is the removal of unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. Using a straw-like tube called a cannula, the fat is suctioned out of the body. Since the body does not create fat cells, this area is forever free of those specific fat cells. Incisions are strategically placed to be as inconspicuous as possible. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, but rather a way to change what heredity may have given you in regard to your proportion. Several variations of the procedure exist, and by assessing your health, features, and the desired result, your surgeon will decide which technique is best for you. Here are two of the most common procedures:
The tumescent Technique is performed by injecting the treatment areas with a liquid solution, generally comprised of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine, prior to the surgery. This combination makes the fat easier to remove constricts blood vessels, and uses anesthesia.
Ultrasonic Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) is performed by using ultrasound energy to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out via the cannula. It can be quite beneficial for removing large volumes of fat or in areas that are especially fibrous or have scar tissue.
What Will I Look And Feel Like Afterward?
The first day there will be some soreness, swelling and bruising. You will be encouraged to get up and move around as soon as possible. Your surgeon will be able to prescribe medication to control any discomfort.
During the first 5-10 days, the bruising will reach its highest point and begin to fade. Any stitches will be removed or dissolve and you will resume very light activities. You may have some bandages covering the incision marks and will most likely be dressed in a special compression garment, which you will be expected to wear for up to 2-4 weeks.
After a couple of weeks, you may resume light exercise. Puffiness or swelling may still be present, and you might experience numbness and itching as the nerves and tissue heal. You will notice a difference and see the effects of liposuction, but understand that it can take as much as six months for the swelling to completely vanish and your new look to take its final shape.
Will I Have To Be In The Hospital?
The liposuction surgery is considered an outpatient procedure. You will most likely return to the comfort of your own home the same day. The procedure may be done in a hospital, outpatient surgery center or in your surgeon's office-based surgical suite. Most commonly local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is used, although in some cases, a surgeon may suggest general anesthesia. Both methods will insure your ultimate comfort during the process and your surgeon will be constantly monitoring your physical condition both during the procedure and in the recovery room.
When Can I Go Back To Work?
Of course, this depends on what kind of work and how physically demanding it is. Most patients wait 5 to 7 days before attempting to return to work.
What Kind Of Risks Are Involved?
Liposuction is a safe procedure performed on thousands of men and women each year with no major complications. As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks. During a personal consultation, your surgeon can detail these for you.
You don't have to accept your body as the product of heredity. You can "redefine your design" and feel great about your body!
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