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Liposuction, which is also known as lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, is a surgical procedure that gently and permanently reduces stubborn fat deposits in a variety of body areas in order to improve your body shape and contours. About Liposuction
The Best Liposuction CandidatesImproving your body shape with liposuction For some, exercising and eating sensibly isn't enough to fight stubborn, localized fat deposits. Genetics often play a role in the way our bodies store fat and may result in a predisposition to carry a disproportionate amount of body fat in a particular area, such as the love handles or saddle bags. For patients who wish to slim and reshape specific body areas by permanently removing excess fat deposits, liposuction is the most effective way to accomplish this. The body areas that can most benefit from fat reduction with liposuction include the:
In some cases, liposuction is performed alone, but when loose, excess skin is left behind after fat reduction, procedures such as a facelift, upper arm lift or tummy tuck may be recommended. Liposuction is also commonly combined with breast reduction in men and women. It is important to remember that liposuction is not a weight loss method, and patients who have not reached a stable body weight or are significantly overweight or obese are not good candidates for liposuction. Additionally, patients who smoke, have poor skin elasticity, diseases that prevent proper wound healing or unrealistic expectations of achievable liposuction results typically should not seek liposuction. Liposuction SurgeryWhat to expect during liposuction General anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation is used during liposuction depending on the amount of fat requiring removal, the number of body areas being treated and the other surgical procedures that may be performed in conjunction with liposuction. Small incisions are made in the area(s) being treated and tumescent solution and any device being used to manipulate or break up fat cells prior to suction are used. A thin, hollow tube called a cannula is then inserted through these incisions to further loosen excess fat and suction it from the body. Before and after liposuction
Liposuction vs. Tummy TuckIt is not uncommon for patients to confuse liposuction with abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery. Both procedures involve surgical body shaping and contouring, and the two procedures are frequently combined, however they are used to accomplish quite different outcomes. Liposuction is performed to permanently reduce fat tissue in a particular body area to improve body contours, whereas tummy tuck is performed to remove loose, excess skin tissue from the abdominal region and tighten abdominal muscles. Tummy tuck surgery is more extensive and invasive than liposuction and requires a longer recovery period. During a tummy tuck, liposuction is often performed to further improve the shape of the abdominal region, but it is a separate surgical procedure nonetheless. Liposuction AlternativesFirstly, it is important to distinguish between the various methods of liposuction and true liposuction alternatives. Procedures such as laser-assisted liposuction (e.g. Smart Lipo), ultrasound-assisted liposuction (e.g. VASER liposuction), power-assisted liposuction, super wet and tumescent liposuction are all various types of liposuction surgery. These procedures are not non-surgical liposuction alternatives but rather methods of liposuction surgery differentiated by the means by which they break up fat cells during the procedure before they are suctioned from the body. Non-surgical liposuction alternatives include procedures that aim to reduce fat via injection or use of devices that heat or cool fat cells. While these non-invasive fat reduction procedures may be tempting, they are often less effective than liposuction and may even be dangerous, especially when performed by unqualified practitioners. To avoid wasting money on potentially dangerous and ineffective treatments, it is best to seek the advice of a board certified plastic surgeon before pursuing any fat reduction or body contouring procedures. Liposuction RisksTemporary side effects that occur after most liposuction procedures include bruising and skin discoloration, numbness, swelling and discomfort. Most bruising and discomfort resolves within the first week following liposuction surgery, but numbness and swelling are generally more persistent and may take weeks to several months to resolve completely. Aside from temporary liposuction side effects, the most common liposuction risks include:
In addition, every surgical procedure has some inherent risks, including anesthesia complications, infection, blood clots, hematoma (internal bleeding), skin or nerve damage and poor wound healing or scarring. However, most of these risks are unlikely, especially in patients who seek treatment with a board-certified plastic surgeon and follow all pre- and post-operative instructions. Before your liposuction procedure, Dr. Motlagh will discuss all potential liposuction complications with you, assess your individual risk for experiencing these complications, answer your questions about liposuction risks and ensure your understanding of the potential need for revisional procedures before proceeding with surgery. Liposuction RecoveryBecause local anesthesia is used for most minimally invasive liposuction procedures, many patients may return home immediately following surgery. More extensive liposuction or liposuction performed concurrently with surgical tissue excision procedures, such as body contouring after major weight loss, breast reduction, male breast reduction or tummy tuck, may require IV sedation or general anesthesia and potentially longer hospital stays. For a few days following liposuction, you may have temporary drains in place under your skin to help remove excess blood or tumescent fluid. These drains are not always necessary and can usually be removed after only two days. Medication will be prescribed to manage pain and reduce the risk of infection, and a compression garment will need to be worn for a few weeks after liposuction surgery. Final liposuction results can typically be seen in 3-6 months, although it can occasionally take longer. Liposuction to small areas, such as neck liposuction, will usually heal more quickly and achieve final results sooner than more extensive liposuction. Liposuction Terms
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