Liposuction

Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery that involves removing fat deposits for a permanent contouring effect. Also called liposculpture, the most common area that people have treated is the tummy, but liposuction can be performed on the inner thighs, upper arms, hips, buttocks, knees, ankles and back. Even though it is most commonly used for body sculpting, it can also be used on the neck and face.

When it comes to fat removal, liposuction can get rid of fat in the areas that a person may not have been able to remove it through diet and exercise. The most rewarding aspect of this cosmetic procedure is that the fat cells, once removed from you body won't be replaced. This means the results will be long lasting, especially with proper nutrition and exercise to maintain the body shape.

Dr. Giorgio Fischer, a gynecologist from Italy invented liposuction in 1974. By 1978, the original procedure was developed further by two French doctors, Fournier and Illouz. Although liposuction was becoming popular, in the 1980's, there were some areas that needed improvement. Patients complained of undesirable rippling of the skin and there were some cases of excessive bleeding.

New techniques for liposuction were developed that involved smaller instrumentation and the use of local anesthesia. That resolved the excessive bleeding issues and problems with depressions in the skin.

Liposuction is not used to treat obesity, nor is it a treatment for weight control. People who are thinking about having the procedure done have to remember to have realistic expectations and to understand that there is a limit to the amount of fat that can safely be removed from some areas.

The basic procedure for liposuction involves making a tiny incision in the area of fat removal and inserting a small tube called a cannula. The cannula is pushed and pulled through the fat layer, breaking it up so that it can be suctioned out. A vacuum pump or a large syringe is used to suction out the fat. If liposuction is to be performed in a different area, a new incision is then made and the procedure is repeated.

Over the many years that this procedure has been carried out, there have been some technique changes. One technique that is commonly used by plastic surgeons is called tumescent liposuction. It involves injecting a medicated solution into fatty areas before the fat removal process. The fluid contains a salt solution, lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine. Epinephrine is a drug that contracts blood vessels and has proven to reduce blood loss from liposuction procedures. One advantage of the fluid injection method is that there is less bruising after surgery, another is that local anesthesia is widely considered the safest form of anesthesia.

The tumescent liposuction technique involves large amounts of fluid, usually 3 times more fluid than fat to be removed. This method takes quite a long time, especially if there is more than one site to inject.

Modified tumescent liposuction involves combining the local anesthesia with a general or heavier IV sedation. An anesthesiologist is needed if this type of liposuction procedure is used.

Similar to the tumescent liposuction technique is the super-wet technique. Less fluid is injected into the area and general anesthesia or IV sedation is usually used. This makes the procedure shorter, taking about 1 or 2 hours, compared to the 4 or 5 of the tumescent standard.

Finally, there is Ultrasound-Assisted-Lipoplasty (UAL). A special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy is used which explodes fat cell walls and liquefies the fat. The traditional suction is then used for fat removal. This procedure is the most time consuming and is used in high precision situations. It is a very effective form of liposuction.

Do you want to know if you would be a good candidate for liposuction? Here is a basic checklist. You should:
Be physically and psychologically in good health.
Have stubborn areas of fat that won't budge with exercise or dieting.
Have excess fat, but skin that is firm and elastic.
Be close to your normal weight range.
Have reasonable and realistic goals and expectations about what liposuction will do.
Be prepared to continue with good eating habits and exercise, once healed.

Although women make better candidates than men, this should not prevent men from having liposuction. It may take longer to perform but can have just as good of a result. Age is only a factor, in that; an older patient's skin may not have the same elasticity as a younger person, so the results may not be as good.

Who might not make a good candidate for liposuction? Anyone who has had surgery in the area selected for contouring. If you have a medical condition, such as heart or lung disease or you suffer from poor circulation and/or diabetes, the risks may be too high.

Whether you consider yourself a good candidate or not, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your health and determine if liposuction is an option for you.

You may have to begin by choosing a plastic surgeon. In preparing your choice, take the time to do some background work. If you live in the US, it's always best to consider someone who has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Most countries have similar accreditation processes. The rule of thumb in choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon for your liposuction is that they should have completed about 3 years of general surgery and 2 years of plastic surgery.

Once you have met with the surgeon and it has been agreed that you are a candidate for liposuction, he or she will go over the procedure, explaining which methods would be best. A plastic surgeon can help you decide if liposuction is a good option for your tummy- in your case; a tummy tuck might be a better choice.

A frank discussion with your surgeon will show what you expect from the liposuction and any worries or questions you may have should be answered at this time. A good idea is to jot down some notes before the appointment. You'll have your list if you get distracted and can re-direct the conversation to your concerns. It can often seem overwhelming when given all the choices and options for liposuction. Your surgeon will help by recommending which techniques would be best for you.

You may be asked to go over your weight history. A list of questions will be provided for you to answer. Some questions might include:
What was your heaviest weight?
What was your heaviest weight with pregnancy?
How many times has your weight cycled up and down?
How stable has your weight been in the last year?
Do you exercise? How often?
Were you athletic in school?
Have you been on a diet? If so, which type?

Before your liposuction surgery you will be given guidelines to follow on what to eat and drink. Things like smoking, avoiding certain vitamins or supplements and medications will be covered. If you come down with a cold or develop an infection, your surgery may need to be postponed.

As a precaution (rarely necessary), it may be recommended that you have some blood drawn ahead of surgery. In the case of liposuction, where there is minimal blood loss, it is not likely that you will need blood, but it is still done as a safety measure by some physicians.

Don't forget to thoroughly discuss liposuction costs. Plan to have someone drive you and pick you up after you've had your liposuction procedure.

Liposuction has been done for many years and is a safe procedure. Like any operation, there is some risk. If a great number of areas are going to be treated at the same time, the risks will increase. The same is true if there is a large amount of fat to remove and the area is large. If you want liposuction in various areas, it is best to space out the sessions.

In the ultrasound technique (UAL), the heat from the device used to liquefy the fat may cause injury to the skin. It is also important to consider that this is a fairly new procedure and long-term effects are not yet fully known.

You may have your liposuction done in a hospital or in a clinic setting. Most tumescent liposuction is done in an office setting, as there is no need for an anesthesiologist. It also saves on costs to have the procedure done at your plastic surgeons office or clinic.

What should you expect after having liposuction? For one, it is perfectly natural to feel a little uncomfortable right after surgery. There may be temporary feelings of pain, swelling and numbness. Some people notice pigment changes in their skin right after having liposuction. Again, these are temporary changes.

The incisions from liposuction are small and strategically placed in inconspicuous areas of the body. After surgery you may have some drainage from the incisions. To control swelling and to help your skin fit the new contours of your body, you may be given a snug-fitting elastic garment. It may have to be worn over the treated area, for a few weeks. Antibiotics may also be prescribed as an infection preventative.

It may take a few weeks after surgery before you start feeling more like yourself. Everyone is different and you should allow yourself time to heal. Before long, the results of the liposuction start to make people feel and look better.

One thing you can do to reduce swelling and speed the healing process after liposuction is to do some walking. This will also prevent blood clots. Here are some time frame estimates to consider when recovering from liposuction:

7-10 days post-surgery- you are feeling better and should be able to be back at your job. The stitches will either dissolve at this time or they can be removed.

Up to 30 days post-surgery- other than walking, strenuous activities should be avoided.

From 3 weeks to 6 months post-surgery- depending on the scope of your liposuction and your body's reaction, bruising and swelling should have disappeared.

You'll be scheduled to check in with your plastic surgeon after liposuction to see how things are progressing. If any unusual symptoms develop, like pain or bleeding, call your physician right away.

How long until the incredible new you? You'll notice a difference in your shape soon after liposuction surgery. However, it will take from 4-6 weeks to really see an improvement because of post surgery swelling.

People who have had liposuction report an improved outlook on life. It can definitely give you a psychological lift to have your clothes looking and feeling better. Many patients go on to exercise more and live a healthier lifestyle.

Liposuction has been done for many years and is a safe procedure. With the continuous improvements that have been made to liposuction techniques, experts say risks of major complications are estimated at a lower than 0.5 percent. If a great number of areas are going to be treated at the same time, the risks tend to increase. The same is true if there is a large amount of fat to remove from an extensive area. Each case is unique, but most plastic surgeons will want to space out several sessions. If you want liposuction in various areas, this is a safe and effective way to do it. It will also speed up recovery time and make the transition to the new you much easier.

There are some myths about what liposuction can and cannot do. What liposuction can do is remove fat from areas on the body, contouring and re-sizing it. What it can't do is get rid of cellulite and stretch marks on the skin.

It may cost men less to get their dry cleaning done, but when it comes to liposuction men may find they are paying higher fees. That's not due to any procedure differences between men and women. Men simply have a different type of fat that women do, making it harder to remove and adding time to the liposuction procedure.

An estimated 3,000 gallons of human fat comes from Florida liposuction clinics every week. A Norwegian businessman is looking into ways of converting that fat into a form of biodiesel fuel. Imagine a car that runs on human fat!

If you've decided you would like to look into having liposuction surgery, you'll want to find someone in your area who can perform the procedure.

In the US, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world. It has the extensive list of all ASPS certified physician members as well as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Visit their online referral service to find a liposuction surgeon in your area.

From the Greek word meaning "woman-like breasts", the condition, known as Gynecomastia is more common than you might think. It affects about 40 to 60 percent of men. It can affect one breast or both. Most causes for the condition are never really understood, although it is linked to certain drugs and medical problems. Obesity is one cause and gynecomastia liposuction or male breast reduction can be very helpful, since many men who lose the weight still have gynecomastia.

Often this condition can affect young men and cause social and psychological distress. At any age, it can make a man feel self-conscious. So, who makes a good candidate for gynecomastia liposuction? Men who are generally healthy and emotionally stable will do well with this surgery and the more firm and elastic their skin, the better.

It is not recommended for men who are overweight or obese. There should be an attempt at overall weight loss and better eating habits before liposuction. Also, men who drink excessively and smoke marijuana are not usually good candidates for the surgery as it has long been suspected that these drugs, along with anabolic steroids may cause gynecomastia. These men are asked to stop using the drugs to see if the breast fullness diminishes on its own.

The temporary effects of gynecomastia liposuction on the breast area include numbness, which can last up to a year.

There are two variants to this sort of surgery. If the gynecomastia is caused by excess fatty tissue, a small incision is made and a small cannula breaks up and vacuums out the fat. It may be that there is glandular tissue that is the major cause of the gynecomastia. In that case, it will cut out, using a scalpel. If necessary, liposuction is added to the procedure. In some cases, a plastic surgeon may want the patient to have a mammogram or a breast x-ray beforehand. Not only with this rule out the possibility of breast cancer, it will let him get a look at how much fat and glandular material is present.

The general cost of gynecomastia liposuction is about $3,000. This procedure is sometimes covered by medical insurance.

There are many cost factors to consider with liposuction. You should discuss and understand the cost for your procedure beforehand. You certainly don't want any surprises after you've decided to go ahead with liposuction surgery!

The fees for this type of surgery are widely different. Here are some things that will affect the cost:

Regional differences

Amount of fat removed (more removal means a longer procedure)

There may be a facility fee

Compression garments may be needed

Blood tests

Post-liposuction treatments including ultrasound and massage

The average cost for liposuction ranges from $3,000 to $10,000.

Risks associated with body contouring include, but are not limited to:

·Infection
·Uneven body contours
·Sagging skin, which occurs when the skin does not shrink (contract) to the newly contoured area
·Depressions/dimpling
·Blood or fluid collection under the skin. This usually dissipates over time.
·Rarely, blood clots to the lung (pulmonary embolism) or the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
·In rare cases, a fluid and electrolyte imbalance may result in shock

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