Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, suchOverview:

Liposuction is also called Lipoplasty or body contouring. It is the surgical procedure of reshaping the body by removing fat from various body parts. Body fat is removed from the abdomen, stomach or waist, thighs, hips, flanks, back, chest, face, cheeks, chin, inner knee, calves, upper arms, and buttocks. A hollow tube is inserted into the body, and the fat is removed. It is a cosmetic surgical procedure to remove unwanted and excess fat from the body. 

Technique of Liposuction: 

An increase in weight deposits fat in the cells. Cells become more significant with fat deposition. Liposuction removes the number of fat cells in a particular area. The amount of fat removed depends on the region from which the fat is removed and the volume of fat in it. The skin in the contoured area alters as per its elasticity and tonicity. If the skin tone is excellent and elastic, the skin in the contoured area looks smooth, but if it is not stretchy and does not have a good tone, the skin looks loose. 

Types of Liposuctions: 

Liposuction is of various types like suction-assisted liposuction, Tumescent lipo, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction, and power-assisted liposuction. Among all these, suction-assisted liposuction is the most common procedure of using a vacuum connected to a cannula to suck fat and fluids from the body. In tumescent lipo, a mixture of salt water and two medications are injected into the area being treated. Saltwater removes the fat, and medicines relieve the pain and narrow the blood vessels. 

• Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) uses energy from a metal rod under the skin. This opens and breaks the fat cells to lose fat. This can be used alone or in combination with suction-assisted lipo. A new type of UAL uses vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance (VASER) to improve the shaping of the skin. 
• Laser-assisted lipo (LAL) is another technique of using laser fiber to break down fat deposits. Later, these broken fat deposits are removed using a thin tube. Power-assisted lipo uses vibrations produced from thin tubes. These vibrations are made by a thin tube due to its back-and-forth movement, which helps to remove the tough fat. This can also remove the excess fat accurately, rapidly, and efficiently. This technique is used when a considerable amount of excess fat must be removed or when a lipo has already been done. 

Indications:

Liposuction is indicated when all the traditional methods like diet and exercise have not removed the excess fat from a particular area. This can be done if an individual wants to smooth fatty bulges and permanent body modification. It is also used to remove extra breast tissue seen in a condition called gynecomastia in men. 

This can be done in individuals with an average or above-average weight with pockets of fat that do not go by exercise or diet. Individuals with overall good health, nonsmokers, and realistic expectations from the procedure are only eligible for this procedure. Individuals with firm skin with high elasticity can have better results than loose skin individuals. 

Contraindications:

This cannot be used as a weight loss procedure. This does not reduce excess weight or obesity. This cannot improve stretch marks or the dimpled skin due to cellulite deposition. Individuals with a body mass index of more than 25, underweight, poor skin quality, and unrealistic expectations from the procedure are not indicated for this procedure. Individuals with life-threatening severe conditions are also not indicated for liposuction. Considering their skin elasticity and medical health condition, older individuals over 65 years are not indicated for this procedure. 

Before the procedure:

Before undergoing Lipo, an individual should give information about medical history, medications being used, any life-threatening conditions, and past lipo treatments. Photographs might be taken to compare before with after. Certain blood tests might be done to understand the current physical condition. Blood thinner medications have to be stopped, and others, like antibiotics, may be prescribed. Small lipo can be done in a clinic, but lipo, where vast areas of fat have to be removed, should be done in a hospital. 

During the procedure:

Some circles or lines will be marked on the body where the excess fat has to be removed. The type of lipo to be done depends on the areas to be treated, history, and goals of treatment. The surgical site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution, and the area is anesthetized. Local anesthesia will be used for small areas and general anesthesia for larger areas. Minor cuts or incisions are made, and based on the technique used, the excess fat is removed. The duration of the procedure depends on the type of lipo and the area to be treated. 

After the procedure: 

The individual will be in a recovery room after the procedure and will be carefully observed till the vitals are stabilized. Medications to reduce pain and swelling are prescribed. Temporary drains are placed to remove the fluids from the body. Compression garments, which are tight clothes that help in reducing swelling, are prescribed. One can resume daily activities as prescribed by the health care physician. 

Recovery from Lipo: 

It generally takes a few days to get back to work and a few weeks to months for the swelling to subside, the remaining fat to redistribute, and the results to be seen. 

Risks and complications: 

Surgical procedures, like bleeding, infections, and anesthesia toxicity cause some risks and complications. The remaining are irregular contours due to uneven fat removal, saggy skin, and scarring. Fluid pockets called seromas build up under the skin sometimes. 

Rare complications like rupture of the internal organs due to thin tubes can occur. Fat embolism and life-threatening kidney and heart problems can become medical emergencies. 

Conclusion: 

Liposuction offers a surgical solution for removing stubborn fat from specific body areas and enhancing body contours. With various techniques available, a patient’s needs can be addressed with desired outcomes. It can yield transformative results when performed on suitable candidates under proper medical supervision.  as from the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas. Other names for liposuction include lipoplasty and body contouring.Liposuction isn't typically considered an overall weight-loss method or a weight-loss alternative. If you're overweight, you're likely to lose more weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery than you would with liposuction.You may be a candidate for liposuction if you have too much body fat in specific spots (pockets of fat, such as an abdominal pouch) but otherwise have a stable body weight.