Liposuction

A well-toned body is a dream for most of us. But fat deposits can play the role of a spoiler. These deposits in the abdomen, neck, upper arms, and buttocks can make your body look out of shape.

Liposuction, which is a cosmetic surgery procedure, can help you to get rid of these fat deposits. The effects of the surgery are visible within a short time. You will find that the results are long-lasting.

Am I the right candidate for liposuction?

Liposuction is for you, if,

• You have excessive fat deposits in some parts of your body
• These do not go away with diet control and physical exercises
• Your health is good, and you have a stable body weight
• Your blood sugar levels are normal
• You do not suffer from severe heart or lung diseases 

You need to understand that liposuction is by no means a type of “weight loss’ surgery. After the surgery, there will be some reduction in your body weight. However, the primary goal is to improve the shape of your body. 

All that the surgeon aims to do is to correct your body shape to fair proportions.

If you have a good skin tone and you maintain stable body weight, you will get good results after the procedure.

How is liposuction done?

You will be under general or spinal anesthesia during the surgery.The procedure generally takes around 1-2 hours. 

During liposuction, the surgeon will remove fat cells from certain areas of your body. For this, the surgeon will insert a thin tube connected to a suction device under the skin. This high vacuum suction device sucks out the fat cells.

There are different techniques for liposuction. The surgeon will choose a method that is right for you by considering various factors. These factors include the amount of fat to be removed, the area of fat removal, the thickness of the fat in the area, and the amount of blood loss expected.

What are the different techniques of liposuction?

Tumescent liposuction: It is one of the most common methods. Here, the surgeon injects a solution of saline, local anesthetic, and medicine to tighten the blood vessels in the area of liposuction. This solution softens up the fat cells in the area. It makes it easier to suck out the soft fat using the suction device.

Ultrasound liposuction: This method uses ultrasonic vibrations to break the walls of the fat cells. The surgeon inserts special tubes that emit ultrasound vibrations under the skin in the area of liposuction.

The tube then vibrates to break up the cell walls. It softens up the fat layer, helping in its easy removal by suction. The area is made wet by spraying water to counter the heat generated during ultrasound vibrations. 

Power liposuction: In this technique, the cannula vibrates with the help of electronic signals. Fat cells soften up due to this vibration, which aids in easy removal.

Laser Lipolysis (LAL):  This procedure uses lasers to break up the fat cells. Once broken up, a saline solution is injected into the area to thicken the fat cell mass. The fat mass gets sucked out using a suction device.

How will my recovery be after liposuction?

It is natural for you to have some amount of pain and discomfort after the surgery. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines will control any pain or swelling, and antibiotics will prevent infections.

You will be encouraged to walk around in the room to prevent blood clots and ensure proper blood flow. It helps in faster healing of the surgical wound.

You will notice some discharge oozing out from the surgical site. It is normal and not a cause of worry. Soon after the procedure, there will be some amount of swelling and color change in the area of surgery. It will slowly disappear within a few weeks. 

Your hospital stay will be for a day after surgery. Once the surgeon is satisfied with the progress you are making, you can go home. 

At home, you will have to follow the instructions given by the surgeon regarding wound care and recovery. You can bathe after one or two days of surgery.

You will have to keep wearing the compression garment for a few weeks after surgery. Oil massage over affected areas will help smoothen the contours and improve healing.

You can go back to work after a week. At work, you should avoid any strenuous activity for two to three weeks.

What are the risks and complications of liposuction?

Even though it is a safe surgery, liposuction does have some risks.

Reaction to medicines, the chance of infections, pain, and swelling are some of the common risks after any surgery. Apart from this, some specific issues can occur after liposuction. They are

• Seroma: It is a fluid-filled pocket that develops under the skin of your surgical site. Your surgeon will usually put drains to remove the fluid accumulation. If not treated, a seroma can develop into an abscess or a source of infection.
• The irregular shape of the surgical area: It happens due to the uneven removal of fat. Your skin will look bumpy or faded in such cases. Poor skin tone and elasticity can also contribute to this condition.
• Damage to internal structures: Damage to blood vessels, nerves, muscles as well as other adjacent organs can occur due to the surgery. This condition is rare. However, if it happens, further treatment is necessary.
• Fat embolism: In this small fat globules may get trapped within the blood vessels and block the flow of blood to the lungs or brain. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Fortunately, the chances of a fat embolism after liposuction is very low.
• Skin Burns: In laser-assisted liposuction, the laser can burn the skin if not handled properly.

How successful is liposuction?

Most people are happy with the result, provided they have realistic expectations, and have good communication with the plastic surgeon. The results are also stable over time if your weight is maintained.

Here are a few things that you can do to improve the success 

• Maintain a healthy and stable weight- This can prevent fat accumulation in your body.
• Have regular physical exercises- Exercises not only help you burn calories and fat but also make you look more youthful. It will also help you to get the right skin tone that makes your skin more elastic.
• Drink plenty of water- Water keeps your body hydrated and makes your skin supple and elastic.
• Eat a healthy diet- A nutritious diet with less fat and carbohydrates, and with lots of proteins and vitamins will help in weight control