Modern Cosmetic Surgery - Liposuction Procedure

What is liposuction?

Over the last decade, liposuction has become one of the most important procedures of modern cosmetic surgery. This operation is able to improve body appearance and gives proper shape to the irregular or distorted contours through the elimination of excess fat deposits. Liposuction is used in the areas below the chin, neck, cheek, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips, upper arms, knees, ankles, and calves.

It is really important to note that this is a complicated surgical procedure and patients can go through a painful recovery period. Also, there presents a possibility of rare and sometimes even fatal complications, so the decision to undergo liposuction must be weighed seriously.

How liposuction procedure is done?

Liposuction usually takes 1 to 2 hours, however, it can vary from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the area treated and the amount of fat to be suctioned.

The intervention begins when the surgeon makes a tiny incision, sufficiently large to allow introduction of the suction tube or cannula. The rear end of the cannula is connected to a suction machine.

A method called tumescent technique is involved in this procedure through which the surgeon injects saline with lidocaine and epinephrine at the level of the fatty tissue located under the skin. Injection of this mixture before starting the suction procedure allows numbing of the tissues and vessels thereby reducing bleeding, tissue trauma, and inflammation in addition to eliminating pain.

Virtually all areas of the body can be treated with liposuction (chin, cheeks, neck, arms, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, hips, and knees.

Postoperative care after liposuction procedure

After surgery, there may be some drainage of fluid from wounds, which reduces in quantity after two to three days. An elastic band is used for several weeks from the time of completion of the intervention.

The patients are instructed by the doctor to not expect to see immediate results after the operation. The treated areas will be swollen and you may feel a burning sensation. Pain is controlled with analgesics. Antibiotics will be indicated to prevent infection.

All surgical practice involves certain risks. In rare cases, the procedure can cause severe trauma especially if large areas are treated in one surgical setting.

Other rare but potential complications are infection and excessive loss of body fluids.

However, liposuction is a highly secure and reliable procedure, provided that there is availability of appropriate equipment with the surgeon doing this procedure.

Least but not last, I would say that it is really important for the patient to choose an experienced and specialized plastic surgeon for getting this procedure done.