Procedure, Types, and Effects of Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat that seems difficult to get rid of with diet and exercise.

A dermatologist or plastic surgeon usually works to improve the shape of the forearms, back, buttocks, elbows, abdomen, and legs. However, liposuction can also be performed with other surgical treatments such as breast reduction, face lift, and tummy tuck.

Liposuction is usually not considered a weight loss method or an alternative to diet. If you are overweight, exercise, diet, and bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass surgery are more likely to lose weight than liposuction.

If you have extra body fat in some places but are otherwise healthier weight, then you are a candidate for liposuction.

Types of liposuction

There are only a few different liposuction techniques available. What they all have in common, however, is the use of a tube, a cannula that is connected to a vacuum. This sucks the excess fat out of your body.

Tumescent liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is probably the most common technique. Your surgeon will inject a sterile solution into the area where the fat is usually removed. It consists of saline, which is salt water, as well as adrenaline and lidocaine. The solution makes it easier to suction off the excess fat with less blood loss and pain.

Ultrasound assisted liposuction

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction, or perhaps UAL, uses sound wave energy under your skin to break open the cell walls of fat. As a result, the additional fat liquefies and it is sucked off.

Laser assisted liposuction

Laser-assisted liposuction, or perhaps SmartLipo, uses a laser to create a burst of energy that liquefies the fat.

The procedure of liposuction

Local or general anesthesia is used for liposuction. General anesthesia is given either as a gas or as an injection, which puts the patient to sleep for the duration of the procedure.

Local anesthesia, on the other hand, only relaxes the specific area of ​​the body to be treated and the patient remains awake during the procedure.

Tumescent liposuction is a widespread technique nowadays that only uses local anesthesia. This makes the procedure less invasive and requires faster recovery.

However, the choice of application and anesthetic technique is determined according to the level of fat to be removed and taking into account several other factors.

After the person is anesthetized, the surgeon will make small incisions in specific areas of the body to remove excess fatty tissue. The incisions are generally minor, ranging from a quarter to a third of an inch.

A skilled surgeon will ensure that the incisions are actually placed in such a way that the subsequent scarring remains as discreet as possible.

Through the incisions, the surgeon will insert a slim vacuum tube called a cannula. It will go into the deeper layers of fat. By moving the cannula back and forth, the surgeon can manually remove the fat cells.

As soon as the fat cells have disintegrated, they are sucked out with the help of a connected vacuum pump or a syringe.

At this stage, other technologies, radio frequency, ultrasound or laser can be combined to make fat removal easier and less invasive.

The person will be given intravenous replacement fluids during and after liposuction, as fat removal results in some amount of body fluid and blood being eliminated along with the fat.

After the procedure, the surgeon will close the incisions with removable or removable sutures. Drainage tubes can be placed under the skin for a few days to collect extra fluid and minimize the risk of infection.

Sutures and drains are usually removed in about a week to ten days. In some cases, the surgeon can leave the incisions open to reduce bruising and swelling.

Risks of Liposuction

As with any major surgery, liposuction carries risks such as bleeding and response to anesthesia. Possible complications with liposuction are:

• Contour irregularities.
• Fluid build-up.
• Deafness.
• Infection.
• Internal puncture.
• Fat embolism.
• Heart and kidney problems.
• Lidocaine toxicity.

Cost of liposuction

Since this is a surgical procedure, liposuction can sometimes be a little more expensive. The cost of liposuction will vary depending on what part or parts of your body you want to treat.

• Liposuction costs an average of $ 3,500 in 2020.

last words

After liposuction, the swelling usually subsides within a few weeks. The treated area will now be less bulky. After a few months, expect a leaner appearance in the treated area.

While the skin loses firmness as you age, the effects of liposuction usually last a long time as long as you are in control of your weight. If you gain weight after liposuction, your fat distribution will shift. For example, no matter what areas were previously treated, fat can build up in your stomach.

Before opting for liposuction, you should consult a cosmetic surgeon. During the consultation, the surgeon asks questions about the patient's medical history.

The cosmetic surgeon will also provide details of the procedure and show the patient before and after the photos. These before and after photos ensure that the patient is getting the best possible results.

About the author:

Ann Lewis enjoys the art of writing and has experience in various fields of the craft. By combining information with advice and spontaneous jokes, she writes articles that not only have something to teach but are also easy and easy to read.