This means the suction of fat from the under the skin in the different localizations of the body. It is an art of body styling and it is not suitable for the reduction of weight. This is done through sports. Liposuction is performed to modulate certain regions and silhouettes of the body. That is why it is sometimes called liposculpturing. Cellulitis may be reduced through liposuction.
Liposuction has been practiced in Italy for the first time. The technique has been developed since then in France and then the united States of America. The art of the anesthesia has been also changed from a routine local anesthesia to the so called the tumescent local anesthesia which is considered as an advantage for the outpatient surgery.
The silhouette of the body is an important feature in the life
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Who qualifies for the operation?
Persons who have asymmetrical localizations of fat in their body are candidates for liposuction. The ideal patient is that who weighs 80 Kg, has small localizations, has a good healing power and good skin elasticity.
How does the tumescent local anesthesia work?
Tumescent local anesthesia is a new method of local anesthesia. It is injected through multiple fine needles mechanically or manually under the skin in a slow manner. It aims at abolishing pain, reduction of the possibility of infection, guarantee of a postoperative pain free interval and facilitates the suction of the fat during the operation. It contains the substance prilocain as an anesthesia, cortisone for the reduction of the local inflammation and epinephrine which constricts the small blood vessels to help the longevity of the anesthesia and bicarbonate which modulates the reaction of the solution to provide a pain free injection of the anesthesia.
Tumescent local anesthesia reduces the loss of blood during and after the operation to a minimum. This allows the very early ambulation of the patient and permits to return to work and sport activity within 2 days of the procedure.
How does the operation work?
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. The patient meets all the routine examinations for the preparation for an operation. The area to be sucked will be marked with a water proof pen to plan for the injection of anesthesia and the limits and extent of liposuction. This is done in standing position. The patient lies on the operation table. The tumescent solution of the anesthesia is infiltrated through different needles. Small incisions (5-10 mm) are done under several skin folds or in a hairy area. The fat is sucked in special lines. The amount of fluid sucked should not exceed 4-6 liters. The patient may be given a sedative in some cases. The incisions are closed. The patient is asked to stand by the side of the table to let the rest of the fluid flows outside the body through the incisions by gravity. If this becomes minimum, dressing of the wounds is applied and the patient is given a corset to wear for compression of the area over at least four weeks.
Our skin contains elastic fibers. These may be influenced after the suction so that some touchups may be necessary or even skin reduction may be done in rare cases. The liposuction has its risks as any other operation. These are infection, bleeding, thrombosis, embolization, formation of cysts, the development of hard areas, fat embolization, allergic reactions, the development of irregularities, numbness or increased sensitivity of the skin over treated areas, objectionable scaring and dizziness.
Incision
Structures and their layer of fat under the skin
Sweat gland = SG / SD = sweat duct
Frequently asked questions?
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- What is the aim of liposculpture?
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It aims at removal of the fat localized in the problem areas of the body, for example, the lower abdomen and breast in women and the upper abdomen, breast and waist of the man.
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- Is there pain during or after the operation?
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There is a minimal discomfort, if any, during the injection of the anesthesia. There is no pain during liposuction and for about 24 hours after the procedure.
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- Are sedatives necessary during the operation?
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A sedative such as valium may be necessary for some patients.
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- How safe is tumescent liposuction?
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Tumescent local anesthesia for liposuction is the safest method of anesthesia. The American society for dermatological surgery reported on the results of 15,336 patients to be treated very safely and with minor infrequent complications.
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- How many incisions are necessary for the procedure?
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Two to six incisions of 5-10 mm length may be done.
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- What should I expect immediately after the procedure?
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There is wound leak for several hours which will wet the dressing. This is normal and it is temporary.
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- Can I take a shower after tumescent liposuction?
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Yes, starting from the next day to the procedure. Bathing should be avoided for a week. Hot showers may increase the swelling.
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- How long should I wear the compression garments (Corset) after liposuction?
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4 weeks. This should be 24 hours for the first week then to be reduced up to 12 hours a day for the second week and then for less than this for the last two weeks.
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- What possible complications are expected?
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Bruising which is minimal and temporary. Other complications are infrequent. These may be minor soreness of the treated area, skin irregularity and others which are mentioned in the text above.
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- When can I resume my exercises and sexual activity?
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Walking and sexual activity can be started 24 hours after the surgery. Stretching and light weights may be used after few days. Pounding aerobic should be postponed for a week.
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- When will I observe an improvement?
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At the very early beginning you will notice that your clothes are tight. Early improvement is observed within a month. Final improvement is observed after up to six months.
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- Are there scars after the operation?
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The tiny incisions are hidden in skin folds or among the hair in hairy areas. They eventually become unnoticeable in most patients.
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- Can I smoke and drink alcohol there after?
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You can drink a glass of wine per day but smoking interferes with wound healing as it reduced skin blood supply up to 50%.
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- Will I gain weight after the liposuction?
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The fat cells removed through the tumescent liposuction will be permanently lost. Therefore the treated areas can never regenerate or become large as they were before. Nevertheless, other areas of the body which are noted sucked will continue to develop fat as usual.
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Liposat
Unit for automatic local anesthetic
and liposuction
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