Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat from different sites of the body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere.
Before the Surgery The surgeon will give you specific instructions in preparation for your surgery. This includes guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamin supplements or medications.
During the Surgery
Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted to suction the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer to break up the fat cells and suction them out.
Patients need to be carefully monitored and given intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery since there will be fluid lost along with the fats
If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia.
Regional anesthesia can be a good preference for more extensive procedures.
However, some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is removed.
After the Surgery
After surgery, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. You will be advised to wear a compression garment over the area for a few weeks to control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours. The stitches will be removed during your follow-up consultation with the surgeon. More strenuous activity should be avoided for a month.
Procedure Risk Complications in liposuction are atypical but there are certain risks associated with it including:
- Bruising. This can be painful in the short term, and will fade after a few weeks.
- Swelling. This will subside gradually over a month.
- Scar. This will vary in size depending on the particular procedure. Scar healing may vary from individual.
- Pain. This will be temporary and controlled by either over-the-counter medication, or by a prescription.
- Numbness. This sometimes persists for a few weeks.]
Very frustrated when seeing someone unblinkingly spotting your bulky stomach, thighs, or hips? Can hardly wait to find the perfect solution to this traumatic experience? Liposuction eliminates excessive fat in those body areas especially for you.
<message edited by Anna RN JD on Thursday, June 09, 2011 2:29 PM>