LiposuctionAbout The procedure
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Liposuction is the most frequent cosmetic surgery performed. Liposuction or body contouring removes unwanted deposits of excess fat, resulting in improved body appearance and a “smoothing” of irregular or distorted body shapes. Liposuction or body contouring may be useful in removing fat under the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankle areas.
Procedure Description
In the Liposuction procedure, the surgeon suctions the area or areas with a tube and vacuum device after the patient receives anesthesia. In the tumescent technique, generally less areas can be suctioned at one time as the fluid that tumesces or anesthetizes the area contains lidocaine as well as several other ingredients, and the amount that can be used is based on the weight of the patient. Typically, this means that no more than one large area or two smaller areas can be done except in unusual cases.
In the traditional Liposuction method, many areas are typically able to be suctioned at once. It is considered that large amounts of fat suctioning at one time increases the risks to the patient.
It is important to note that Liposuction is a recontouring procedure. It is not a weight loss procedure. Patients who are planning on losing weight should do so prior to any liposuction in order to achieve good long term results.
Best Candidates for Liposuction
Liposuction candidates must be in good health, have no active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions, and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
Length of the Procedure
Liposuction takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of areas treated.
Anesthesia
Liposuction is typically performed with general anesthesia or local with sedation.
Inpatient or Outpatient?
Liposuction is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
Possible Side Effects
Patients may experience temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation. In the tumescent method, patients may experience temporary fluid drainage from incision sites.
Recovery
Expect to return to work in 1 to 3 days. Liposuction patients are usually able to return to strenuous activity in 2 to 4 weeks. A full recovery from swelling and bruising can be expected in 1to 6 months, depending on the extent of the procedure. A compression garment is recommended for 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure.
Duration of Results
Liposuction results are permanent, providing patients exercise and maintain a healthy diet.
Risks
In the ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the heat from the ultrasound device used to liquefy the fat cells may cause injury to the skin or deeper tissues.
In the tumescent and super-wet techniques, the anesthetic fluid that is injected may cause lidocaine toxicity or the collection of fluid in the lungs.
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," especially in older patients with less elastic skin. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes additional surgery may be required to achieve the desired results.
Liposuction is ideal for sculpting of the body and harmonizing body proportions. However, it is not an alternative to a diet nor should it be used primarily for weight loss. Once fat cells are removed they do not grow back. Keep in mind that Liposuction does not protect against an increase in body weight. The remaining fat cells can become larger as a result of weight gain. But after liposuction any new accumulation of fat will be much more symmetrical on the entire body than before.
Cost
Expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 to have Liposuction performed in one area of the body, $6,000 to $8,000 in three areas, and $8,000 to $11,000 in five areas. The cost is higher for larger body areas.
Scars
Usually the incisions are not larger than 4 to 6mm. With proper positioning, suture lines will ultimately become practically invisible, although small scars can become thick.
Amount of Fat Removed
The rule of thumb is up to 3 liters of fat per procedure. The amount of fat removed depends on a variety of factors, including the patient’s physical condition.
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