Liposuction
is usually an outpatient procedure, for convenience and more affordable
costs. It may be performed in a surgeon's office-based operating room.
The incisions that the surgeon makes are small and heal quickly. In
the tumescent technique, the surgeon injects large amounts of fluid
into fatty areas before performing liposuction. The fluid contains a
local anesthetic to alleviate pain and blood vessel constricting drugs
to minimize blood loss. This fluid causes the sections of fat to become
tumesced, or swollen or firm. These expanded sections of fat allow the
liposuction cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is
removed.
Postoperatively,
the use of tumescent liposuction results in fewer skin irregularities,
less bleeding, reduced bruising and a faster recovery. It is performed
as an outpatient procedure, avoiding a costly hospital stay. It may
be performed under local or general anesthesia.
There
are certain risks involved when patients have heart problems, particularly
the possibility that injecting large amounts of fluid may result in
congestive heart failure. However with proper patient selection this
risk is markedly diminished. Tumescent liposuction has had an excellent
safety profile since it was first used.
Ultrasound-assisted
liposuction (UAL) is a more recent modification of the liposuction technique.
However, the heat generated by ultrasonic energy may create the added
risk of burns in the treated areas. Back
After surgery
In
tumescent liposuction the incisions are left open to allow the draining
of fluids. A compression garment is worn in addition to pads to absorb
the fluids over the incision areas. The compression garment is one of
the most important aspects of recovery. It is a tight fitting garment
much like spandex and holds the area of the body firmly. An ideal garment
fits tightly but comfortably and allows the use of absorptive pads underneath.
The patient is instructed to wear the elastic garment over the treated
area for a few weeks.
It is
common to have a bruising and swelling in the affected areas during
the first few days after surgery, and you may continue to feel bruised
for several weeks. The compression garment helps to ease the swelling.
Most of the swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks
or so.
Take
the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon to control whatever discomfort
you feel.
Most
patients can walk around after surgery, but it is best to keep all activity
to low impact for the first week. Most patients return to work after
2 to 3 days. Although you will feel much better after two days, it may
take several weeks before you're back to normal. Your surgeon will give
you guidelines about when you can resume your normal activities. Usually,
for two to three weeks after surgery, he will ask you to avoid strenuous
activities such as sports or sexual relations as these will increase
your blood pressure.
Do NOT
soak in a jacuzzi, bathtub, swimming pool, or ocean for at least seven
days after the surgery to avoid infection.
A
healthy well-balanced diet is important in maintaining the postoperative
results as well as in ensuring excellent healing during the convalescence.
After surgery, your surgeon will instruct you to drink plenty of fluids
to avoid dehydration. You should avoid all alcoholic beverages.
Your
skin will naturally reshape and tighten over the sculpted area. This
is part of the healing process. Depending on the surgical technique
used by the doctor, there may be slight waviness or visible lumps. Postoperative
massage and ultrasound therapy is done over these areas and these usually
will disappear within 6 months. Back
Follow-up
In
the months after surgery, your surgeon will schedule frequent follow-up
visits to check on the progress of your healing. In between visits to
your surgeon, if you notice anything unusual or have any questions about
symptoms, or what you are allowed to do, don't hesitate to call him.
Conclusion
Liposuction is generally safe when the patients are carefully selected,
the operating facility is properly equipped, and most importantly, when
the surgeon is properly trained. Having considered these factors, many
satisfied patients have experienced how, in a few hours, liposuction
can effectively eliminate the localized fat which seemed almost impossible
to get rid of.
LIPOSUCTION
SURGERY:
Techniques