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At A Glance
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What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing
unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips,
buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. During the
past decade, liposuction, which is also known as "lipoplasty" or
"suction lipectomy," has benefited from several new refinements.
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Am I a good candidate for
Liposuction?
To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic
expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It is important to
understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self
confidence, but it will not necessarily change your looks to match your
ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide
to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with your surgeon.
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.
Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems
such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood
circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be
contoured. |
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What should I consider when
planning for my surgery?
In your initial consultation, our surgeon will evaluate your health,
determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your
skin. Our surgeon will explain the body-contouring methods that may be
most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want
liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty
or "tummy tuck" may more effectively meet your goals, or that a
combination of traditional liposuction would be the best choice for you.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with our surgeon and be
assured that our surgeon will be equally frank with you, describing the
procedure in detail and explaining its risks and limitations. |
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What should I consider when
preparing for my surgery?
Our surgeon will give you specific
instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on
eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron
tablets and certain medications. If you develop a cold or an infection
of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be
postponed. |
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What is the anaesthesia
used with Liposuction?
Various types of anaesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures.
Together, you and our surgeon will select the type of anaesthesia that
provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery.
If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are
involved, liposuction can be performed under local anaesthesia, which
numbs only the affected areas. However, if you prefer, the local is
usually used along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed
during the procedure. Regional anaesthesia can be a good choice for more
extensive procedures. One type of regional anaesthesia is the epidural
block, the same type of anaesthesia commonly used in childbirth.
However, some patients prefer general anaesthesia, particularly if a
large volume of fat is being removed. If this is the case, an
anaesthesiologist will be called in to make sure you are completely
asleep during the procedure. |
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What happens in the surgery?
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably,
depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the
type of anaesthesia and the technique used.
There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve
the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome.
Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are
removed to re-contour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny
incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the
fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then
pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning
them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large
syringe, depending on the surgeon's preference. If many sites are being
treated, our surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to
keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.
Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it is crucial that this fluid be
replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason,
patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids
during and immediately after surgery. |
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What happens after my
surgery?
After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the
incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath
the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control
swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be
fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a
few weeks. Our surgeon may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent
infection.
Do not expect to look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the
newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative
discomforts, you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling,
bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with
medications prescribed by our surgeon, though you may still feel stiff
and sore for a few days.
It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks
following surgery. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to
look and feel better. |
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How long before I get back
to feeling normal?
Healing is a gradual process. Our surgeon will probably tell you to
start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help
prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel
better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within
a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve
on their own within the first week to 10 days.
Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as
your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling
usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six
months or more.
Our surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and
to see if any additional procedures are needed. |
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What will be my new look?
You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite
soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent
after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.
After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually
disappears and the final contour will be visible.
If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased
with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more
comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your
body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise.
The Esteem Cosmetic Studio website provides general information about cosmetic surgery.General information is not a substitute for professional medical advice and treatment, and should not be accepted in place or in preference to a consultation with a surgeon.
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