|
 |
| |
| |
FAQ's |
| |
More about Liposuction |
| |
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction is the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed in the United States. Invented in the late 1970’s, it was introduced in 1982 to the United States, where it is now performed on more than 400,000 people annually.
Liposuction is also known as “lipoplasty” or “suction-assisted lipectomy.” All of these refer to the removal of unwanted lumps, bulges, and areas of fat using a thin suction metal tube or a “cannula.” This instrument is inserted into subcutaneous body fat through small incisions. A strong vacuum is then applied through a hose attached to the cannula, which draws fat from under the skin
The term “liposculpture" refers mostly to the practice of liposuction where the body parts are contoured and shaped into a slimmer profile. Because it involves sculpting and contouring, your plastic surgeon should be one who is blessed with a strong artistic sense. It is, after all, not the latest liposuction technique or machine that will give you the ultimate figure. Rather, it is the skills of the plastic surgeon who uses them!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Men and women who have diligently tried diet and exercise to reduce their size, and who have been frustrated time and again because they cannot achieve their ideal size and figure, are good candidates for liposuction. Often, these are people who have gained disproportionably large amounts of weight and fat due to pregnancy, or prescribed drugs such as hormone replacement therapies or cortisone. Also, those who have stubborn areas of localized fat such as “saddlebags,” “thunder thighs,” “love handles,” and “double chins” are good candidates. |
|
| |
|
Can I Undergo Liposuction If I Have Diabetes, or Other Chronic Conditions?Men and women who have chronic health conditions, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis can still undergo liposuction – provided that their conditions have been successfully optimized by their physician. Even as the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure, liposuction is still major surgery, and must be treated as such in all cases. A responsible plastic surgeon will perform blood tests, and take a comprehensive medical history to assure that all risks of surgery are minimized.
How do I know that I have enough fat to be liposuctioned?
Pinch an Inch! If you can get an inch or more of tissue between your thumb and index when you pinch an area of your body, that means that you have enough fat there to be liposuctioned. This is only an approximation, since the thickness of skin and subcutaneous fat varies through out the body. The rule of “pinch an inch” applies mostly to the trunk and extremities. |
|
 |
| |
Does the Fat Removed Through Liposuction Come Back? What Will Happen If I Gain Weight After Liposuction?
We develop all of our fat cells by the time we reach puberty. When fat cells increase in a part of your body, you gain weight there. Although the total number of fat cells remains stable in most people, in cases of extreme obesity the body can actually increase the number of fat cells in order to be able to store increased fat. Therefore, the common belief that patients who undergo liposuction will become “fat” in other parts of their body is to some extent true.
Fat cells that are removed from a body area do not return. Rather, fat cells in the remaining parts of the body, not treated by liposuction, will fill up with fat, thus causing one area to become disproportionately larger! Therefore, patients who have undergone liposuction need to avoid gaining significant amounts of weight -- thirty or more pounds.
Does Liposuction Remove Stretch Marks?
No. In fact, the stretch marks can possibly become more noticeable after liposuction. Stretch marks are caused by excessive stretching, breakdown, and separation of the deep layer of skin, which is indicative of poor skin elasticity. Therefore, areas that have many stretch marks will not have the smoothest and tightest look after liposuction. |
|
| |
 |
|
|
Does Liposuction Remove Cellulite?
Cellulite refers to the fatty deposits that form uneven, wrinkled, dimply skin found on the thighs, hips and buttocks of women. Even when fat is lost from other areas, cellulite remains and will actually be the last fat to disappear, because it occurs only when damaged fatty tissue accumulates. Cellulite develops when connective tissues beneath the skin that shape the fat become weak and deformed. This connective tissue is made up of fibers, and acts as an anchor between the muscles and the skin. It also forms the chambers that hold the fat cells. In areas with poor skin elasticity, excessive removal of superficial fat can potentially worsen the appearance of cellulite.
What is Large Volume Liposuction?
What person today has not heard of gastric bypass surgery, more commonly known as “stomach stapling?” The news stories about musicians, new anchors and other celebrities who have undergone this procedure are frequent. Yet, only twenty years ago, the mere mention of gastric bypass would have elicited a declaration of “that would be malpractice!” In much the same way, our assessments about the safety of Large Volume Liposuction are progressing.
Notions of what is attractive are constantly evolving. The voluptuous actresses of the 1950’s would today be considered overweight. However, while we can’t really define what an “ideal” weight is, it is widely accepted that a significant portion of Americans today are overweight. This is both a health issue, and a self-esteem issue. More than half of American women wear a size 10 or more, and are unhappy with their size. |
| |
When approximately two liters of fat (about the size of a Coca-Cola bottle) are removed, this is considered Small Volume Liposuction. This is successful when smaller localized “problem” areas of the body are being contoured. However, the removal of this quantity of fat will not make a difference in a large person whose goal is significant size reduction. In the latter case, large volumes of fat, five or more liters are removed, with the dramatic outcomes- 2 to 5 size reduction in cloth size. |
|
| |
What Is the Difference Between Liposuction and a Tummy Tuck?
Basically, liposuction is designed to remove excess fat from beneath the skin. Abdominoplasty, or a “tummy tuck,” is designed to remove excess skin and to tighten the abdominal wall and skin. While liposuction can significantly reduce the clothing size in a person who is generally obese, a tummy tuck may not change clothing size at all. On the other hand, a person who has lost much weight and has loose, hanging skin that makes everyday tasks and wearing clothing difficult, a tummy tuck is more effective.
What Are the Major Risks and Potential Complications of Liposuction?
Like any non-cosmetic major surgery, liposuction has potential risks and complications. Therefore, you should consider it as seriously as you would any major surgery.
What Are the Common Minor Complications, or Consequences of Liposuction?
Changes in Skin Sensation. This is a normal consequence of liposuction that occurs in everyone to a different extent. You may experience "paresthesias," which is an altered sensation at the site of the liposuction. This may either be in the form of an increased sensitivity (pain) in the area, or the loss of any feeling (numbness) in the area. This sensation is permanent in very rare cases. However, in almost all patients it goes away within the first two to four months after surgery. Massaging the area of liposuction helps increase circulation, and facilitate return of normal skin sensation.
Swelling. This is also a normal occurrence that occurs in every patient. Compression garments and post-operative massage help to minimize this, as well as reducing its duration to less than two months.
Bruising: There will be bruising in many areas that are liposuctioned, as well as in adjacent or dependent areas. For example, people who have abdominal liposuction experience swelling and bruising in their genitalia. This is not because these areas are actually liposuctioned. However, bruises usually move downward due to gravity, and can thus temporarily accumulate in the genitalia. Some bruising can last a long time or even lead to permanent skin pigmentation. Sun tanning immediately after surgery can cause these bruises to become permanent skin stains.
Skin Irregularities or Wrinkles: The extent of this depends on the elasticity of the suctioned skin areas. People who have many stretch marks, cellulite, or skin dimples have poor elasticity and therefore will have more skin irregularities or wrinkles. Usually, post-operative massage helps to smooth these areas.
Asymmetry: No two halves of the body are identical. Therefore, following liposuction, there may appear to be very slight differences between the contour and size of the two sides. Scoliosis or other spine derangements can magnify body asymmetry.
Muscle Spasm: It is very common to get temporary muscle spasm or cramps in the areas that were liposuctioned. This usually resolves quickly by itself or can be helped by gentle heat and massage.
Pain and Discomfort: You should expect to have pain or discomfort similar to a feeling of having worked out too hard. Some of this may feel like a stabbing pain in the liposuctioned areas, and in adjacent areas. This can usually be managed by pain medications, and it generally lasts for a few weeks. Rarely, and in people with Fibromyalgia, or other forms of chronic pain syndrome, there can be a worsening of the patient’s baseline pain.
Depression, emotional, or sexual changes: There have been reported incidents of post-liposuction depression similar to postpartum depression. While this is usually temporary, patients need to address it with their physician.
Seroma or fluid collection: After liposuction, there may be a pooling of serum, the straw colored liquid from your blood, in areas where tissue has been removed. While this can be a common problem with Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL), it rarely occurs with standard Tumescent Liposuction. Your surgeon can alleviate these by draining them with a small needle in an office procedure. |
|
| |
“I have already been laughed out of the offices of a few plastic surgeons, so what you do seems amazing to me. I have lost 130 pounds in the past two years. No matter what I do, I can’t get past this plateau. I’ve tried and tried, but my legs and butt are never reduced. My arms are huge and make me so self-conscious. I would love to meet with you as soon as possible. I hope that you can get me on the right track!”
--Cheryl, age 45 |
|
| |
How Painful Is Liposuction?
Because liposuction only involves the fat beneath the skin, and not entry into the abdominal cavity or cutting or tightening of muscles, most people describe it as feeling like a bad bruise. Others say that you might feel like you do after a heavy workout. For the majority of patients, liposuction is less painful than a C-section, hernia surgery, breast surgery, abdominal surgery or a hysterectomy.
When Can I Resume Sexual Relations?
Liposuction does not hinder your ability to have sexual relations. However, you should resume sexual activity only as you feel comfortable in doing so. The desire to resume having sex varies from patient to patient. |
|
| |
|
1 2 3 4 5 |
|
|
|
| |
