Liposculpture (Liposuction)
What is liposuction?
Liposculpture is a body contouring procedure. Ideally, the areas of excess fat should be well defined and localised. Diffuse fatty areas are not well served by this technique. It is important to stress that this technique is in no way a substitute for weight loss or exercise.
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Areas that can be improved by liposuction are:
- face (chin and neck)
- breast enlargement in men
- waist area
- buttocks
- outer thighs
- inner thighs
- knees, calves and ankles
- post-surgical or post-traumatic fat deposits
With liposculpture alone the skin is not tightened surgically. Therefore, it is best suited for people who are in good physical shape and have 'youthful' skin qualities. There are specific cases in which excess skin may be present following this procedure and surgical removal of the skin may be necessary to achieve a good cosmetic result.
How is the procedure performed?
Localised fat deposits are removed through metal tubes or cannulas which are passed into small stab incisions. A vacuum apparatus applies a negative pressure and the fat is literally sucked out from the area. Surgery is usually done on a day stay basis however if liposculpture involves the abdomen or a large volume is removed then overnight stay is needed.
What should I expect after surgery?
Most patients experience discomfort and at times pain that may last from several days to one week. Naturally this is a highly personal experience, based on multiple factors such as the extent of the procedure and each patient's individual tolerance.
After the surgery you will wear a garment to provide support and pressure to the liposuctioned areas. This garment is worn for 6 weeks after surgery.
Following surgery, patients normally rest for 24-72 hours. Normal bathing activities can usually be resumed approximately one week after surgery.
Bruising and swelling may last up to three weeks or longer in some cases. In some cases lumpy areas may last much longer and these may require massage.
When can I return to normal activities?
Generally patients are able to return to work 6-7 days after surgery. Gentle exercise can be resumed after two weeks, however, vigorous exercise should be avoided for six weeks.
- Is there anything I should do before surgery?
- Avoid taking aspirin for two weeks before surgery.
- Do not smoke for two weeks after surgery as this will delay the healing.
- The oral contraceptive should be ceased from the time you decide to proceed with surgery.
Are there any risks?
As with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications. Surgery and anaesthesia are very safe and it is most unlikely you will experience any difficulty. However, there are potential problems you need to understand before proceeding with your surgery. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions after surgery.
Bleeding: A pressure garment and binder are used to prevent bleeding. Bleeding may occur immediately following surgery or that evening. It is possible in some cases of bleeding that return to the operating theatre will be required.
Infection: Infection is rare. Antibiotics are given to prevent infection. If infection occurs it will usually become evident within one week of surgery and may delay the healing process. In the unlikely event of infection, the ultimate result of the surgery may be adversely affected.
Sensation: Areas of numbness may occur and usually disappear after some weeks or months. Rarely, these may be permanent.
Anaesthesia: You will have a general anaesthetic and your anaesthetist will examine and discuss the procedure. Any questions you have regarding your anaesthetic will be answered by your anaesthetist before surgery.
Contour: The most difficult aspect of liposculpture is knowing just when the “right” amount of fat has been removed. Removal of “just the right amount” and a nice flat result cannot be guaranteed. Too much, too little or removal of the fat in an uneven manner may occur and may leave a contour defect such as rippling or dimpling. If this occurs, a second operation may be necessary. Patients who are overweight or over 35 must be willing to accept a greater possibility of these contour irregularities and poor skin redraping in exchange for looking better in clothing.
Circulation: Calf compression is used during your operation and stockings are used afterwards to prevent the risk of clots in your legs. Although rare, there is a risk of clotting in the veins of the legs. Such a thrombosis may rarely be complicated by pulmonary embolus (a clot going to the lung). This risk can be reduced by flexing your calves after surgery to maintain leg circulation and moving around as soon as possible. An area of skin loss can occur and has been reported in literature. Fortunately, this has been extremely rare.
Bruising and swelling: Bruising and swelling occurs and when the knees or inner thighs are treated, ankle swelling can occur and last a number of weeks. This can be helped by elevating the legs each day.
Important points to remember before proceeding with surgery:
There can be no absolute guarantee with any surgery. In the hands of even the most experienced surgeon, a secondary operation to correct a minor irregularity may be needed.
It often takes up to six to eight weeks before the benefits of the procedure are visible. It usually takes 6 months to see the final result, so don't lose heart if you can see no improvement for the first few weeks.
Should there be any questions regarding liposculpture, be sure they are answered in advance by your surgeon. Well-meaning friends are not a good source of information. Find out everything before the operation - a well-informed patient is a happy one.
The best candidates for cosmetic surgery are those who want to enhance or improve their appearance, not those who seek perfection. You will be satisfied with the results of surgery if you have realistic expectations. It is important that you make the decision to proceed with surgery for yourself, not anyone else.
The next step when considering cosmetic surgery is a consultation with your surgeon. You will be shown before and after photos and will be given the opportunity to discuss the procedure with previous patients.
The above information mentions only some of the benefits and complications of liposuction. This information should not be regarded as a substitute for information and advice provided by Dr Sackelariou during consultation.