Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical technique to remove unwanted deposits of fat from specific areas of the body, including the face and neck, upper arms, trunk, abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs, and the knees, calves and ankles. Liposuction may be performed as a primary procedure for body contouring or combined with other surgical techniques such as facelift, abdominoplasty, or thigh lift procedures to tighten loose skin and supporting structures. The best candidates for liposuction are individuals of relatively normal weight who have excess fat in particular body areas. Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final contour after liposuction. Skin that has diminished tone due to stretch marks, weight loss, or natural aging will not reshape itself to the new contours and may require additional surgical techniques to remove and tighten excess skin.
Suction-assisted lipectomy surgery is performed by using a hollow metal surgical instrument known as a cannula that is inserted through small skin incision(s) and is passed back and forth through the area of fatty deposit. Tumescent liposuction technique involves the infiltration of fluid containing dilute local anesthetic and epinephrine into areas of fatty deposits. This technique can reduce discomfort at the time of surgery, blood loss, and post-operative bruising. The cannula is attached to a vacuum source, which provides the suction needed to remove the fatty tissue. Occasionally a patient's results can be enhanced with the use of devices to assist the liposuction process. Power Assisted Liposuction PAL in one device sometimes used in this assistance process.
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction, but a method for removing localized deposits of fatty tissue that do not respond to diet or exercise. Body-contour irregularities due to structures other than fat cannot be improved by this technique. Liposuction by itself may not usually improve areas of dimpled skin known as “cellulite.”
There are a variety of different techniques used by plastic surgeons for liposuction and care following surgery. Liposuction is usually performed under general anesthesia.
Support garments and dressings are worn to control swelling and promote healing.
Suction-assisted lipectomy surgery is performed by using a hollow metal surgical instrument known as a cannula that is inserted through small skin incision(s) and is passed back and forth through the area of fatty deposit. Tumescent liposuction technique involves the infiltration of fluid containing dilute local anesthetic and epinephrine into areas of fatty deposits. This technique can reduce discomfort at the time of surgery, blood loss, and post-operative bruising. The cannula is attached to a vacuum source, which provides the suction needed to remove the fatty tissue. Occasionally a patient's results can be enhanced with the use of devices to assist the liposuction process. Power Assisted Liposuction PAL in one device sometimes used in this assistance process.
Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction, but a method for removing localized deposits of fatty tissue that do not respond to diet or exercise. Body-contour irregularities due to structures other than fat cannot be improved by this technique. Liposuction by itself may not usually improve areas of dimpled skin known as “cellulite.”
There are a variety of different techniques used by plastic surgeons for liposuction and care following surgery. Liposuction is usually performed under general anesthesia.
Support garments and dressings are worn to control swelling and promote healing.
