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Guide To Cosmetic Surgery - Liposuction

This is the fourth most popular procedure for men. Liposuction is popular with both sexes who see it is an ideal way of removing stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise cannot shift.

A healthy lifestyle can certainly help in that it will give you a slim, toned and trim body but as we all know too well there are always a few stubborn areas which cannot be shifted however hard we try.

One answer to this problem is liposuction.

This is a tried and tested procedure which can remove those stubborn deposits to leave a smooth, toned and shapelier body. A good way of thinking about this is as a form of ‘body sculpture’.

This is not a cure of excess weight gain or even obesity: it tends to benefit those individuals who eat sensibly and exercise but find that they have still have a few pockets of fat.  Fat distribution is determined by our genetics so those ‘bingo wings’ (upper arms) or double chin may be passed down in your family.

Many women find that they have excess fat deposits as a result of childbirth and this is where liposuction can help.

Gender also determines fat distribution: men store fat around the midriff and chin whereas women store fat around the stomach, hips, thighs and buttocks.

The procedure involves the insertion of small tubes or cannulas which are inserted into the problem area. The surgeon performs a series of push/pull movements which break down the fat cells. These cells can then be removed via a suction pump or syringe.

Suitability for liposuction

Who is suitable for this procedure? The vast majority of people are although surgeons will have a set of criteria which they use to assess a patient’s suitability for this procedure.

Your age, current state of health, reasons for wanting this procedure and emotional wellbeing are all determining factors.

Ideal patients for liposuction are those who are in good health, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly. They will be of average weight, with firm, toned skin and have not undergone surgery in the areas to be treated.

Younger patients tend to get better results mainly because their skin has more elasticity and tone. If you are aged over 40 then bear this in mind. This procedure is still an option but there is a greater risk of loose skin. If your skin is very loose then some surgeons will not recommend this procedure.

Your medical history will be taken by the surgeon during your consultation to ensure that you are fit and healthy to undergo this procedure.

Who would not be suitable for liposuction? If you have any of the following medical conditions then liposuction is not advisable:

  • Immune deficiency disorders
  • History of strokes
  • Heart disease
  • Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in the legs)
  • Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs)  

If you are taking certain medications such as Warfarin (anti-coagulant drug), aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines then these can increase the risk of bleeding during the procedure. Liposuction will not be recommended if you are taking any of these.

Preparing for this procedure

Once you have been given the day and time for your surgery then the next step is pre-surgery preparation.

Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with a set of guidelines before your procedure. These are in effect, a set of do’s and don’ts which are designed to ensure that you are in the best shape before your procedure.

They will include advice on what to get ready the day before and after your procedure, stopping smoking (if you are a smoker), what to eat and drink (if you are having a general anaesthetic) and the aftercare service.

This will also include arranging time off work and help around the house after your procedure. You are looking at a week to 10 days away from work so it’s best to arrange this well in advance.

We advise asking for help around the house as you will be tired, sore and swollen afterwards. If you have had a general anaesthesia then you may feel dizzy and slightly nauseous afterwards and will need to rest for a couple of days. You will not be up to doing your normal everyday jobs around the house such as shopping, cooking, cleaning etc so ask your partner or a friend to help you with this.

This will only be for a few days as most patients are up and about after that time.

It is also a good idea to think about your recovery period. You may think it is too soon to do so but getting things prepared in advance can save time later. Especially as you will not feel up to doing these things.

This means preparing meals in advance or buying in enough meals to see you through your recovery period. Buy bottled water as you will need to keep up your fluids. The small bottles with the ‘sports type’ cap are ideal. Also buy plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as the vitamins and anti-oxidants will help with your recovery.

You will find that your recovery time will consist of watching television, reading magazines or books or listening to music. Make sure you have a good supply of reading material.

Ice packs can help with any swelling and you can prepare these in advance. Frozen bags of vegetables are ideal or if you prefer, buy special gel packs from your local pharmacy.

There are herbal remedies such as Arnica Gel and Bromelain which can help to reduce any swelling and bruising but check with the surgeon first.

If you are having a general anaesthetic then you are looking at an overnight stay in hospital. This will mean packing a small overnight bag with your nightwear, a couple of books or magazines, medications (if required) and any other required items.

The list of instructions, given to you by your surgeon, will contain advice about this.

The liposuction procedure

There are several liposuction procedures which are:

  • Dry liposuction: this technique is not used as much as it causes a great deal of bleeding and bruising. The newer techniques involve fluid injected into the area to be treated which reduces this risk.
  • Wet liposuction: fluid is injected into the areas to be treated.
  • Super-wet liposuction: similar to above but with less volume of fluid.
  • Tumescent liposuction: an anaesthetic fluid is injected into the area along with a solution of lidocaine, saline and epinephrine.
  • Power assisted liposuction: a power supply is used to assist the surgeon with breaking down fat cells.
  • Ultrasonic Liposuction: this involves using a probe which emits ultrasound waves to the fat, causing it to break down and liquefy. This enables the surgeon to remove large volumes of fat.
  • Laser liposuction: laser technology is used to liquefy fat deposits before their removal. This is less invasive which means a quicker recovery time.

Whichever procedure you choose also comes with a choice of anaesthesia although you will be advised about this by the surgeon.

There is the choice of a general anaesthetic, a local anaesthetic with sedation or local anaesthetic only. This will depend on yours and your surgeon’s preferences and the extent of the procedure.

The liposuction procedure starts with the surgeon marking the areas to be treated with a special marker pen. He or she will then make a series of small incisions (around 5 to 10 millimetres long) which are hardly noticeable.

A series of small tubes or ‘cannulas’, attached to a suction machine or syringe are inserted through these incisions. He or she will also inject a large volume of fluid into these incisions which prevents blood loss. It also reduces the amount of normal body fluid lost by the patient during this procedure.

This is what is classed as a ‘wet’ procedure and is now preferred over the traditional ‘dry’ method.

The surgeon will push and pull these cannulas, vigorously, through these fat layers which break down the fat cells. These cells are then suctioned out via a machine (pump) or a special syringe.

Fluid is lost along with the fat although a ‘wet’ technique can help to reduce this. Patients are normally put on an IV (intravenous) drip following this procedure to replace these lost fluids. If they have had the Tumescent or another type of ‘wet’ procedure then this may not be required.

Once the desired amount of fat has been removed the surgeon will close these incisions with stitches.

You will be given a special support garment (similar to a corset) to wear for the next 3 weeks following this procedure.

Recovery

There will be bruising and swelling following this and some soreness as well. You will be given pain medication to control any pain or discomfort.

This swelling and bruising will last for around 2 to 4 weeks although this varies from one patient to another. The important thing to remember is that every patient is different when it comes to their recovery and some will recover quicker than others.

For the first few days you will be tired, sore and if you have had a general anaesthetic, a bit groggy as well. Ensure you have a good supply of blankets (patients can be prone to chills) or the duvet close to hand and get plenty of rest. This is the time when your body need to heal so allow it to do so.

Avoid any unnecessary bending, stretching or lifting movements and don’t try and carry anything that’s awkward or heavy. This is where it is a good idea to have someone to help you during this time.

You will be asked to wear your special support garment for 24 hours a day over the next 3 weeks, and, during the day only for the next 3 weeks.

Your recovery period will include a series of follow up visits to the clinic or hospital. These are what we call the aftercare service and are designed with your health and wellbeing in mind. They can also check upon your progress and answer any questions you may have.

You will be able to undertake some gentle exercise such as walking for the first week following this procedure. However, it will be a month before you are able to return to your full exercise schedule.

The recovery period varies from one individual to the next but is generally a trouble free time. If you notice any of the following symptoms then contact the clinic or hospital instantly:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Infection
  • Chest pains, shortness of breath and/or a rapid heartbeat
  • A sudden increase in pain

The best results will be seen 3 months later.

The benefits of liposuction

These are both physical and mental. The physical ones include:

  • Firmer, toned skin
  • Smooth and better shaped body
  • Youthful looking appearance
  • The scars are difficult to see (designed to be hidden by swimwear/underwear)

The mental benefits include improved confidence, a boost to one’s self-esteem and a better quality of life. You will look and feel so much better especially when combined with your healthy eating and exercise regime.

The risks of liposuction (H3)

Numerous people undergo this procedure without any problems at all. It is a safe procedure and one that is increasing in popularity all the time.

However, all cosmetic surgery procedures are risky and this is something to take into account if you are considering surgery.

There are side effects and complications which are common to all types of surgery. These include a bad reaction to general anaesthesia, deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg), pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), infection and poor or a delay in wound healing. Others include haematoma (blood clot under the skin) and numbness in the treated areas.

Some people find that they feel sick and dizzy after a general anaesthesia but this doesn’t affect everyone. Some people are fine and yet others feel ‘woozy’ and off colour for a couple of days.

As well as the risks common to all types of surgery there are risks which are specific to an individual procedure.

Here is a list of the complications related to liposuction:

  • Embolism
    In a few rare cases a piece of fat may enter the bloodstream via broken blood vessels.
  • Dizziness
    If the ‘dry’ technique has been used then there is the risk of fluids being lost which can cause dizziness.
  • Oedema
    The medical term for a swelling. This can last from a few weeks through to a few months after this procedure.
  • Skin pigmentation
    The area that has undergone liposuction may show a slight stain or discolouration. This will disappear over time.
  • Asymmetry
    This is the name given to the condition in which one side of the body appears uneven to another. With liposuction, more fat can be taken from one part of the body than another which gives an unbalanced appearance.
  • Accumulation of serum
    Serum is the straw coloured fluid which forms part of the blood and can be separated out when blood clotting occurs. It can form a pool in an area that has been treated.
  • Change in sensation and nerve damage
    Sensation may be diminished after this procedure although this can return after a period of time. The patient may notice increased pain in the treated area.
  • Skin dimpling, waving or slackness
    The tone and elasticity of the skin can change following this procedure. If a large volume of fat has been removed then skin can loose some elasticity.
  • Scarring
    The surgeon will try to place the scars in areas where they are likely to be hidden. But there may some areas in which the scars are more noticeable such as the thighs.
These can all be treated if caught early enough.