Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
After the surgery, the person will need to wear a support garment continuously for two to three weeks. If ankles or calves were treated, support hose will need to be worn for up to six weeks. The support garments can be removed during bathing 24 hours after surgery. A drainage tube under the skin in the area of the procedure may be inserted to prevent fluid build-up.
Mild side effects can include a burning sensation at the site of the surgery for up to one month. The candidate should be prepared for swelling of the tissues below the site of the operation for up to six to eight weeks after surgery. Wearing the special elastic garments will help reduce this swelling and help to achieve the desired final results.
The incisions involved in this procedure are tiny, but the surgeon may close them with metal stitches or staples. These will be removed the day after surgery. However, three out of eight doctors use no sutures, relying on dressings to cover the incisions. Minor bleeding or seepage through the incision site(s) is common after this procedure. Wearing the elastic bandage or support garment helps reduce fluid loss.
Liposuction is virtually painless. However, for the first postoperative day, there may be some discomfort that will require light pain medication. Soreness or aching may persist for several days. A person can usually return to normal activity within a week. Postoperative bruising will go away within 10 to 14 days. Postoperative swelling begins to go down after a week. It may take three to six months for the final contour to be reached.
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Fat cells change in size throughout our lives, depending on what we eat and how active we are. One way to remove these fat cells is through liposuction, described in the video. Both traditional and newer liposuction techniques like laser ablation (Smart liposuction) are discussed and described.
The areas to be treated during liposuction are marked before surgery (A) and then injected with a solution to aid in fat removal (B). The surgeon inserts a cannula into the areas (C), then suctions out fat with a back and forth motion (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
Other Information
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"), liposculpture or suction lipectomy ("suction-assisted fat removal") is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere.
Liposuction is not a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet. It is a form of body contouring with significant attendant risks and is not a weight loss method. The amount of fat removed varies by doctor, method, and patient, but is typically less than 10 pounds (5 kg).
There are several factors that limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session. Ultimately, the operating physician and the patient make the decision. There are negative aspects to removing too much fat. Unusual "lumpiness" and/or "dents" in the skin can be seen in those patients "over-suctioned". The more fat removed the higher the surgical risk.
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