| |
Table of Contents:
1.
About Liposuction
2. Side Effects
3. Risks
4. Recovery
Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure that removes excess fat cells from
localized deposits of fat. The surgery is designed to improve
the overall body shape by removing the exercise resistant localized
fat deposits. Prior to the surgery a solution is infused into
the area of the liposuction. The infusion contains numbing medication
and a medical agent which reduces blood loss during the procedure.
This solution is called tumescent solution and the technique for
liposuction with large fluid infusion is called tumescent technique.
This is the type of surgery that is performed in our office operating
room. Following injection of the tumescent solution, small (3mm)
incisions are made and hollow or ultrasonic cannulae are placed.
The ultrasonic cannulae are used for more complete removal of
fat cells and larger volumes of fat. The hollow cannulae are used
for small volumes and to contour the upper layers of fat following
placement of the ultrasonic cannulae. It should be mentioned that
fat cells do not divide. They grow by increasing in size but an
individual has a fixed number of fat cells, which are unchanged
from birth. Therefore removal of localized deposits of fat affect
a permanent change. Common locations for liposuction include the
chin, cheeks, upper arms, abdomen, buttock, hips, thighs, and
calves. The length of the procedure varies from one to three hours.
The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient in our accredited
operating room. For individuals who have medical problems it may
be necessary to perform the surgery in the hospital.
Side Effects
Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, or burning sensation may
result post-operatively. It is common to have fluid drainage the
first evening from the incisions.
Risks
Skin injury, pigment change, fluid retention, rippling or bagginess
of the skin are possible following liposuction.
Recovery
Patients are typically back to work in one to two days. Most patients
avoid exercising for one week. At the end of the first week they
may resume exercise. By two weeks their activity level is back
to where it was pre-operatively. The patients continue to improve
for approximately sixteen weeks following surgery, particularly
in cases where ultrasonic cannulae have been used there is continual
loss of fat and recontouring of the surrounding tissue. A garment
is useful to help optimize the results following surgery. The
garments are made of a spandex material. The more elastic the
individual skin is, the better the final result. Therefore young
patients with localized deposits of fat are the ideal candidates
for the procedure.
|
|
