Facial and Body Contouring With Liposuction Surgery
Procedures for body contouring through fat-removal traditionally involved extensive operations. These resulted in large scars which could only be concealed by clothing.
Several years ago, European physicians, particularly in
BODY CONTOURING
“Diet resistant” fat cells differ little from fat cells elsewhere in the body although there is evidence that their metabolism is different; consequently, this fat is generally unresponsive to weight loss programs which include diet and exercise. The affected areas can look worse after weight reduction than before.
LIPOSUCTION TECHNIQUE
While this procedure can be done either under local or general anesthesia, our office liposuction is done under a sophisticated form of local anesthesia called tumescent anesthesia. Relatively large amounts of very dilute numbing medication is infiltrated into the tissue prior to extraction. This tumescent anesthesia consists of saline, epinephrine, and lidocaine. It not only renders the area completely numb; but it separates the dermis and tissue from the muscle wall allowing the fat to “float” or be suspended in the anesthesia.
Specifically designed fat extractors are introduced through a tiny entry site. The fat cells are loosened and removed by a high-pressured vacuum. Each site is treated as an individual one; that is, the local anesthesia of one area is followed by the fat extraction of the same area. The tissue thus removed also contains most of the previously injected local anesthetic making this technique a safer one.
The instruments we use are the narrowest practical fat extractors; which minimizes the risk of contour irregularities.
NECK CONTOURING
The double chin can be corrected with liposuction. The fatty deposits can be suctioned without the need of a traditional neck lift. A compression sling is worn around the neck for three to seven days after the procedure to facilitate healing and a firm result.
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
Recovery from liposuction surgery can be remarkably rapid. While some discomfort is normal; it is usually well tolerated and non-narcotic analgesics are usually sufficient for its control. Bruising is normal and is minimized by the specially designed compression garment that is worn for three to seven days. We often suggest the use of light compression beyond the healing time for our more active patients so that they can make a swift return to their lifestyles and exercise regimes. The recuperative period depends on the liposuction site and the individual. It varies between two to seven days.
ADVERSE EVENTS
There is a degree of variability from patient to patient and the physician performing any operation. No long-term adverse effects or consequences have been found to occur with this procedure when a properly trained and qualified physician performs it.
There is on occasion, a temporary fluid or blood accumulation underneath the skin. This is easily treated and resolves with no long-term adverse effects. Bruising is normal and numbness in overlying skin, as with any surgical procedure, may occur, and is usually temporary.
Patients with “cellulite” on their hips and thighs should not expect to see it improve with
liposuction. The preliminary result could actually be worse, but as the healing progresses, the individual will probably notice that the skin quality looks much like it did before the procedure. Liposuction is a process which addresses contour of the body; not skin quality or tone.
SUMMARY
- Body contouring through suction fat removal is ideally suited for fat deposits in the hips, buttocks, abdomen, thighs and knees. It can also be very effective in the chin and jaw line area.
- The procedure is done under local anesthesia with a mild sedative. The pain is minimal, and the treated areas are compressed to express the leftover tumescent anesthesia and to prevent fluid accumulation under the skin.
- Both men and women can be treated by the liposuction surgery. The most common areas in male patients are abdomen, “love handles” and chest.
- Post-operative recuperation depends on the area treated. It varies from two days to one week
- Smoothness of the contoured area depends on the location treated. The abdomen is usually remarkably smooth with very occasional irregularities. Some dimpling and irregularities of the skin’s surface may occur on the thighs. Most patients, however, consider these possible side effects insignificant when compared to the desired result of body contouring by the removal of the offending bulges.
- This technique is not meant for weight reduction, or for the corrections of generalized obesity. It is perfect for those areas that are disproportionately large in comparison to the rest of the body.
