| Section: |
Liposuction |
| Procedure Title: |
Liposuction |
| Description: |
Plastic Surgery
Liposuction
(Suction Assisted Lipectomy)
Liposuction was developed in France and gained acceptance by the United States plastic surgery community in the early 1980’s. Since then, the public’s demand for minimally invasive body contouring has helped liposuction become one the most popular procedures in the field today.
Liposuction has been performed on nearly every part of the body’s surface. It is performed through tiny openings in the skin surface. These openings may be multiple to allow the surgeon to approach the same area from different angles to avoid contour irregularities when finished. It is typically performed in the deeper fat layers, especially in the trunk, so that the surface fat can provide a smooth contour when finished. Often times, the surgeon will inject the area prior to the suction process with a large quantity of specially formulated “tumescent” solution to aid the liposuction while simultaneously numbing the area and slowing any bleeding that may occur. There are also a wide range of instruments that may be used with liposuction. During your liposuction consultation, It would be appropriate to ask your surgeon his or her personal preference when discussing your surgical planning.
Liposuction is indicated in patients with significant adipose (fat) tissue in a certain area of the body that is disproportionate to other areas. Good skin tone is essential to prevent laxity of the skin once the fat is removed. Excellent candidates for surgery have maintained a healthy diet and stable weight for 6-12 months prior to the procedure to display a commitment to lifestyle change. It is important to inform your surgeon of any hernias, radiation, smoking, diabetes, or other co-morbidities before the procedure as this may put you at additional risk.
Liposuction will not cure cellulite or stretch marks and no surgeon should make promises to this effect. Also, liposuction is not a weight loss treatment. Rather, it a tool that experienced plastic surgeons can use to correct specific adipose contouring issues. Often times, it is used to supplement a larger procedure such as a face lift or “tummy-tuck” for fine tuning.
The importance of selecting a qualified plastic surgeon for this procedure is not seen in the performance of liposuction, as the technique is rather simple when compared to other procedures. Rather the importance is in preoperative counseling and surgical planning. Liposuction may or may not be needed to reach your goals. It is more important to let your plastic surgeon know what your goals are, and let them draw on the multiple techniques of their training to help you reach your goals.
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