What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic treatment that removes excess body fat that is exercise resistant and shapes specific areas such as the abdomen, waist, cheek, chin, hips, thighs, knees, calves, arms, ankles, and neck.  It is a technique that improves the aesthetic image of a person rather and should not be misunderstood as a weight loss procedure.

Who is eligible to undergo Liposuction?

1. Physically fit candidate with ideal weight

2. Good skin elasticity

What should you do before Liposuction?

1. Several months before surgery hit a target weight

2. Build muscle several months before the procedure

3. Pre-liposuction diet has two goals – boost health for better healing and increase skin elasticity.  Hence consume antioxidant-rich foods such as cucumbers, pumpkin squash, and blueberries, and consume as much water as possible.

4. Refrain from smoking and also nicotine patches that may constrict blood vessels which is not helpful in the recovery process later.

About traditional Liposuction procedure

The procedure is performed as follows – 

1. The person is given general anesthesia or local anesthesia based on the extent or area of excess fat removal.

2. Tumescence of areas of Liposuction.  Tumescence is a procedure that involves injecting a wetting solution that contains – 

1. Normal saline

2. Epinephrine (to shrink blood vessels to prevent bleeding during the procedure)

3. Lidocaine (local anesthetic to numb the tissue)

3. Tiny incision to remove fat cells using a cannula that is attached to a tube and vacuum to suction out fat cells.

4. Once the suction is finished, then the incisions are closed with stitches.

You may also opt for any of the following types of liposuctions

1. Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction, in which radio frequency waves are used to liquefy the fat and suction out of the body by cannula.  This is minimally invasive and performed under local anesthesia. The more patient-friendly procedure with less bruising and discomfort during the recovery period.

2. Ultrasonic liposuction, in which ultrasonic waves are used to liquefy excess fat in stubborn areas such as knees, chin, neck, feet, and ankles.  It is again of two kinds – 

1. Internal ultrasonic liposuction – an invasive procedure in which the probe that emits sonic vibrations is inserted to liquefy fat.

2. external ultrasonic liposuction – uses a paddle-like tool to emit sonic vibrations outside the body without being invasive.  But this non-invasive approach may result in bruising and skin necrosis

3. Tumescent liposuction, in which the surgeon injects a fat-hydrating solution.  This has no complications during surgery and the procedure results in minimal bruising.

After liposuction surgery 

1. You may experience 

1. Mild discomfort

2. Bruising, redness, and swelling.

3. Swelling of some degree lasts for six weeks.

4. Minimal scarring is seen

2. Prescribed compression garments to be worn 24 hours per day for six weeks to help reduce swelling and promote healing.

3. To promote healing drink plenty of water, consume a healthy diet, and upon your doctor’s advice have a regular exercise routine.

4. Activities involving the site of liposuction should be minimized for at least 2 weeks.

5. Depending on the extent and area of liposuction, strenuous exercise and sports activities should be avoided for 3-4 weeks.

6. Avoiding exposing scars to the sun for at least 12 months

When should you call your doctor?

1. When you experience swelling that persists for a few days

2. If you have any side effects of medications such as rash, nausea, etc.

3. When you have persistent bleeding from incisions

4. If you see yellowish or greenish drainage from incisions, it may be because of infection.

How can you keep up good results from liposuction surgery

Follow the advice of your surgeon to see good results of the surgery.  Apart from that, some general lifestyle adaptations you may have to follow are as follows – 

1. Reduce caloric intake by focusing on protein

2. Adequate water intake

3. Regular physical activity

4. Avoid large meals, take small meals a greater number of times.

Liposuction improves cosmetic elegance by removing excess body fat and improving body shape.  However, the success of the procedure depends more on your involvement in prepping up your body with adequate exercise, water intake for elasticity, and refrainment from smoking before surgery to post-surgery care such as diet and physical activity as recommended by your surgeon.

If you have done everything to lose weight and haven’t been able to, consult our expert bariatric surgeons for accurate diagnosis and safe treatment for weight loss through Liposuction.