Liposuction Surgery – General Information

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that helps sculpt the body by removing fat from specific areas like the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. The fat is usually removed through a cannula (a hollow tube) and aspirator (a suction device).

Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, but it can remove stubborn areas of fat that does nor respond to traditional weight loss method.

Best candidates for liposuction:

The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, and realistic in your expectation. Individuals with medical problems like diabetes, heart or lung problems poor blood circulations are not suitable candidates for liposuction.

Anesthesia for liposuction:

Your surgeon will select the type of anesthesia that is most suitable and safe for your surgery. If only small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction is performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. Regional anesthesia is a good choice for more extensive procedures. In such cases the anesthetist makes sure you are completely asleep during the procedure.

Preparing for surgery:

Patient should stop taking anticoagulants for two weeks before surgery. Smoking must be avoided for about two months prior to surgery. As it interferes with circulation and causes blood clots.

The surgery:

The time required to perform liposuction varies considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and techniques used. Through or tiny incision, a narrow tube is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin.

The cannula is then pushed and pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out by a vacuum pump or a large syringe. The fluid lost along with the fat is replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. Under careful observation the patient receives intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.

Techniques used in liposuction:

The basic technique of liposuction as described above is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. A medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) help the fat to be removed easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery.

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