Liposuction Surgery Procedure

Before the more conventional liposuction surgery, blood transfusions were required due to the amount of blood loss throughout the procedure. Dr. Jeffrey Klein, a dermatologic surgeon originated the tumescent technique which lets a patient go under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia lessening blood loss. Tumescent liposuction still has risks especially when there are large volumes of liposuction fat/fluid removed or if the patient has an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. Fatalities have been connected to abdominoplasty or abdominal liposuction. Other symptoms may be; toxic shock, skin irregularities, hematoma, unsightly scarring, nerve impairment and dermatitis.

Another reason tumescent liposuction causes minimal bleeding is due to the use of a small microcannulae. The small cannulae can tunnel into tissue more effectively causing less pain in which lowers the amount of anesthetic required during the procedure. Common areas for liposuction include upper and lower abdomen, hips and flanks (love handles), inner and outer thighs, inner knees, arms, neck, ankles, calves and back.

A patient must have a good understanding and realistic expectations when it comes to the results of their liposuction surgery. If they have cellulite it many improve but not expected to totally disappear. Post surgery the patient needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to retain the results. Not only physical expectation must be realized but emotional ones too. The patient’s motives for having the procedure might be to improve their marriage relations or get that job promotion they feel they deserve; these are reasons not to have cosmetic surgery of any kind and should be recognized by the surgeon during the initial consultation.

During the initial consultation the patient needs to disclose a full medical history including any medications and/or supplements, family medical history, prior surgeries and any allergies to medication. The surgeon should provide the patient with instructions for pre and post surgical care along with any risks associated with liposuction surgery. Recovery time for any cosmetic surgery usually lasts a week or more and longer for strenuous activates, like exercising or lifting heavy objects. The surgeon may offer alternative methods to having liposuction, it available. He’ll show the patient where the insertion marks will be placed and take the before surgery photos, so they can compare them to the after pictures taken at a later date.

The prospective patient needs to ask the physician if they are board certified, how many liposuction procedures they have performed, ask to see before and after photos or other patients and get patient referrals. The surgeon may also have a payment plan or associated with a health care credit company. Health care credit companies offer lower interest rates with higher limits and may guarantee financing for those with bad credit.

So if you have tried dieting and can’t get rid of those stubborn areas liposuction may be something you may want to consider. After getting liposuction many patients notice a decrease in appetite and along with the desire to maintain their results learn to live a healthier lifestyle.

What happens during the liposuction surgery?

First the area of skin where the liposuction will performed will be prepared with a disinfectant and the insertion sites will be marked. A local anesthetic will be used while the site is cut open, widened and pretunneled using a small hemostat. Then the anesthetic and a corticosteroid are used to numb and prevent infection to the deep layers of tissue. The cannulae will be inserted and the surgeon will guide the cannulae with his hand to all the areas that need liposuction until he feels his end point. At that time he may wake the patient to see if any areas were missed and then finish the surgery. Liposuction surgery is performed as outpatient and last 2-3 hours depending on how large the area or areas are treated.

What happens after surgery?

Some surgeons will suture the insertion sites while others will allow them to drain thus causing less bruising and inflammation. The patient will have to wear compression garments and absorptive pads immediately post-op and continued to be worn days or even weeks depending on the surgeon. As the swelling reduces the patient will need smaller garments. Other post-op restrictions may include; no showers, no heavy lifting, no exercise and no work until your follow-up appointment.

New liposuction procedures:

SmartLipo also known as the ‘lunchtime lipo’ uses a laser to destroy the fat cells that result in a liquid substance then removed by a tiny incision in the skin. This minimal invasive procedure allows patients to see faster results with fewer risks. If a small area is only needed many patients will go right back to work after the procedure.

LipoSelection uses ultrasonic energy to break up and soften the fat before it is removed leaving surrounding nerves, blood vessels and tissue practically unharmed minimizing post surgical bruising and swelling. A small probe will emit high frequency sound energy that breaks down the fat so it is easily extracted with liposuction tubes.