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LIPOSUCTION
What does a liposuction consist of?
The surgeon will make a very small incision of approximately
0.1 inches long (3 mm) and will insert a small tube called
cannula under your skin. The cannula may be connected to a
device that generates high vacuum pressure, or to a special
syringe. The unwanted fat deposits, which prior to this process
were treated with injections of a special liquid (saline solution
combined with local anesthesia and a vasoconstrictor), are
removed from under your skin through the cannula by suction.
This liquid generates the adequate conditions for the extraction
of fat. The cannula is moved under the skin to reach all the
desired areas. The number of incisions vary according to the
characteristics of each area, but it is usually more than
one. In order to make the outward appearance more homogeneous,
the surgeon will have to perform the suction in a pattern
of crossing lines, making it necessary to introduce the cannula
from different positions.
In ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL), a special cannula
that emits ultrasonic waves is used. Since these waves cause
the fat cells to rupture and the fat is liquefied, its removal
becomes much easier.
For whom?
The best candidates for a liposuction have firm, elastic
skin with pockets of excess fat in certain areas.
You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable
and realistic in your expectations.
Your age is not a major consideration; however, older
patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve
the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin.
Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with
medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung
disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently
had surgery near the area to be contoured.
Post operation
After your surgery, you will likely experience some
fluid drainage from the incisions.
To control swelling and to help your skin better fit
its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment
to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Your doctor
may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection
. Even though the newer techniques are believed to reduce
some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience
some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness.
What is the time to recovery for your liposuction?
Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks.
More strenuous activity: 2 to 4 weeks.
Bandages
In order to heal properly, you will have to wear a special
bandage on the treated areas during two or three weeks. Unfortunately,
it is quite uncomfortable, but it is necessary.
Amount of pain
Between medium and severe. Your physician will advice you
to take analgesics every 6 or 8 hours; this will bring great
relief to you.
Removal of the stitches
7 days after the surgery.
Bruises and swelling
The wounds will heal after 3 or 4 days. Bruises will probably
appear and they may take 10 days to heal, they may migrate
to lower parts of your body before disappearing.
During the first two or three weeks, the inflammation will
probably not have diminished or have diminished unevenly,
making your body look asymmetric. But be patient: usually,
if you had a tumescent liposuction, you may be able to appreciate
the final results in less than 90 days, and if you had an
ultrasonic assisted liposuction, you will not have to wait
more than 4 to 6 months.
Scars
You will have several scars of no more than 0.1 inches (3
mm) long. Soon they become very difficult to see if we do
not know where they are. The number of scars will depend on
the characteristics of the area treated.
Recovery
You will have to rest at the hotel for 24 hours and, usually,
two or three days after the surgery you may be able to return
to your social activities or job. You will have to wait a
bit longer before doing any hard work or physical exercise:
between two weeks and a month, according to the special characteristics
of your own healing process and the areas treated.
Some people may experience depression during the recovery
period. This is very usual after any kind of surgery, regardless
of its triviality. You may even feel that you made a terrible
mistake in deciding to have a surgery. But you shouldn't worry.
Most of the people who today are happy and satisfied with
the results of a surgery have also gone through that phase.
Possible risks and complications
It is very unlikely for a liposuction to present any complications
when performed by a qualified surgeon. However, every surgical
procedure, regardless of its triviality, has some risks and
we should always think of them as a possibility.
Asymmetry. Even though the surgeon marks very carefully
the areas he is going to treat, there may be asymmetries.
Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Infections; although they are very unusual if you take
the antibiotics your physician will prescribe.
Pulmonary thrombosis. It happens very rarely, but if
a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and reaches the
lungs, it may cause a cardiopulmonary arrest. In order to
prevent this from happening you should try to leave the bed
as soon as you can.
Temporary loss of pigmentation of the skin in the areas
treated may occur.
Ecchymosis (bruises)
Recovery of the weight lost after the surgery. Remember
that it is up to you to keep the shape you acquired after
the liposuction. If you eat too much or you lead a sedentary
life, you may gain weight in the areas treated (though to
a lesser degree, since a considerable amount of fat cells
would have.
been removed) and in other areas where the fatty tissue
was not affected by the surgery.
What does Liposuction surgery do?
It removes the localized deposits of fat that are resistant
to diets and physical exercise. If you try to keep fit and
you eat healthy food and still you can't get rid of the fat
of certain areas of your body, especially in the abdomen,
hips, knees, ankles, arms and face, then liposuction may be
the answer you are looking for.
It models your body.
If programmed correctly, the fat removed may be used
to add volume to your buttocks.
What does Liposuction surgery NOT do?
It does not lift hanging skin. If your problem is the
excess skin, we recommend that you visit the section of our
site devoted to dermolipectomy.
It does not cure obesity. If you suffer severe eating
disorders, you may be interested in visiting the section of
our site devoted to bariatric surgery.
It does not eliminate cellulite. Liposuction deals
with deep fat deposits, whereas cellulite is a superficial
problem.
It does not make you look like somebody else and it
does not guarantee that you will be treated differently by
others.
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