A metal tube called a calendula is passed through incisions in the skin to remove pockets of fat. There are two main types of liposuction procedures.
Suction Assisted Liposuction (SAL). In suction assisted liposuction, the tube is attached to suction device which removes fat like a vacuum.
Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL). Power assisted liposuction uses an electric motor or compressed air which causes the calendula to vibrate through an in-out or a spinning motion. This helps to loosen the fat tissue, making it easier to suction.
Since fat is a connective tissue, it needs to be broken up to facilitate the suctioning process. This can be accomplished through:
– Ultrasonic generator, which uses sound waves to break up the fat
– Laser, which uses monochromatic light to break up the fat
Liposuction can be used on a wide range of areas. This includes:
Stomach, buttocks, hips, love handles, saddlebags, thighs, calves, ankles, breasts, arms, neck.
There is even facial lipsuction for double chins.
Since liposuction is a type of surgery, medication is needed to help minimize pain and maximize patient comfort. Your doctor may recommend the following options:
– local anesthesia
– intravenous sedation
– general anesthesia
Safety measure will need to be taken to help mitigate the potential for complications. For example, your heart, blood pressure, pulse and blood oxygen levels will be monitored throughout the procedure.
Swelling and bruising will be present for 48 hours. During your recovery period, it is important to avoid exerting undue stress on your body. This includes lifting, bending and any form of strain in general.
However within a 7-10 day time frame, this will subside. Stitches from the incisions can be removed as well. And you can start to resume normal movement and activities.
It is important for patients to be as physically fit as possible. Smokers will need to stop smoking for several months prior to the actual procedure. This is because smoking can hinder the healing process.
Also your doctor will require that you stop taking certain types of medications that increase the changes of bleeding. This includes asprin and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications.
You can use a mirror so that you can view yourself and point out specific areas you would like to improve. To evaluate the back area, your doctor may take photographs so that you may both review and discuss objectives and how feasible these will be.
Your physician will take into account how elastic your skin is so that you don’t end up with a lot of loose skin. Also, he or she will discuss any discrepancies between your ideal weight and a realistic weight that can be accomplished. If you are female, plans for future pregnancies will also be taken into consideration.
Liposuction accomplishes the basic objective of removing fat. It is safer and less expensive than a tummy tuck, which is a far more complex procedure that results in a wide scar in the lower abdomen. Tummy tucks are recommended for drastic weight loss and in situations that involve lots of loose excess skin.
No. Fat transfers require living fat cells that need to be carefully harvested. Liposuction procedures do not preserve the integrity of fat tissue, since sound, laser and mechanical motions are used to break up and loosen the fat.
Fat transfers are intended to enhance the volume of a particular area
– face
– lips
– buttocks
– chin
– acne scars
Although fat transfers can be done on the lips, this is not recommended. Since the lips move a lot, the fat will be quickly absorbed by the body.
Fat harvesting is important. Successful fat transfers require high quality living fat cells. Poor outcomes are the result of poor quality fat grafts.
Fat injections are not guaranteed to be permanent because your face will naturally lose volume with age.