Liposuction/ Sculpture
Liposuction is a technique whereby the bodies contours and proportions are improved by removing excess fat deposits.
In the case of woman these excess fat deposits typically occur in the following areas:
- hips
- outer thighs (riding breeches)
- inner thighs
- knees
- lower abdomen
- jowls and chin
The above mentioned fat deposits typically have the following distinct characteristics:
- locations of fat which are out of proportion, to fat elsewhere in the body.
- very stubborn fat ( doesn’t react to normal exercise and dietary measures)
What Liposuction DOES NOT DO
- It is not a form of treatment for obesity
- It is not a substitute for proper diet and exercise
- It is not an effective treatment for cellulite( dimpled skin typically seen on the thighs, hips and buttock areas) or loose flabby skin.
Who will benefit from Liposuction?
Patients who have unwanted, excess fat deposits, which they are unable to get rid of through traditional means of exercising or weight control. Ideally the overlying skin should still be elastic to some degree. The final outcome is determined by shrinkage of the overlying skin.
Procedure
Before the procedure , the areas concerned are marked , with the patient standing.
Once the patient is in agreement with the outlined areas, the patient is taken to theatre.
Liposuction is normally done under sedation and local anesthetic( totally pain-free).
With the patient asleep, fluid containing local anesthetic and adrenalin is infiltrated into the fat deposits, through tiny openings.This results in the treated areas becoming anesthetized, as well as blood loss reduced, because of the adrenalin.
Liposuction is then done through the same small openings using a special, thin blunt cannula connected to a suction device.
The procedure is performed with a lot of finesse, contouring the body as fat is carefully removed, taking care to remove the correct amounts of fat. All procedures are done as day procedures.
Duration of Surgery 1-2 hours
Recovery
See under general wound care. Patients are generally totally pain-free for the first 3-4 hours, because of the treated areas containing local anaesthetic .Thereafter they experience discomfort comparable to fairly severe bruising.
The excess fluid, infiltrated into the fatty tissue drains freely through some of the small openings for approx 4/5 hours.This fluid could be lightly blood stained. Special absorbable dressings are applied to the treated areas for the patient’s comfort.
Most patients are able to resume office type work after 2-3 days, however, recovery leave of 5-7 days is advisable. Exercising may resume after 4 weeks. Patients are advised to wear tight fitting elastic garments after liposuction, for at least 3 weeks.( freely available)
What are the risks?
Liposuctions, performed for the right indications in healthy patients are safe procedures. It is always safer to be conservative and not remove too much fat during a single procedure.