Liposuction: Suction assisted Lipectomy

INTRODUCTION
Liposuction is the most popular form of Cosmetic Surgery in the world today. The highest percentage of procedures in every country are in this range of suction assisted techniques.

The medical term - “suction assisted lipectomy” has been made more patient friendly by naming the procedure “Liposuction”. To further explain each technique there have been a range of “lipo” words introduced:

• Liposculpture - Describes the technique of shaping the waist, hips and thighs to give a well proportioned silhouette.
• Liposhaping - refers to an all over removal of body fat to reduce size.
• Lipostructure - using small amounts of extracted body fat to re-shape the facial contour.
• Lipobuilding - using larger amounts of extracted body fat to increase the breast size or expand body contours;
• Superficial Liposuction - Creates skin shrinkage by removing fat directly under the skin.
• Tridimentional Liposuction - Combining extraction of all 3 levels of fat to shape and lift the body and shrink the skin.

PROMOTED TECHNIQUES
Tumescent remains the most popular method and involves the infiltration of saline in to the fat prior to extraction. This solution usually contains local anaesthetic and a constrictive agent. This combination loosens the fat, shrinks the blood vessels and anaesthetises the area, which enables the surgeon to remove fat more easily and reduce bruising.

Ultrasonic adds another dimension to liposuction by dissolving the fat prior to extraction. Not all surgeons are convinced this method has any merit as it increases the possibility of tissue damage and has been known to cause skin necrosis requiring skin grafting post operatively.

Areas Treated
Almost any area can be treated. Most common are abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin and cheek, male chests, female breasts, knees, calves and ankles. The fat removed can be transferred to fill or enhance facial or body contours.

SURGICAL STATISTICS
Liposuction is a day stay procedure, most surgeons will prefer to have their patients in a registered hospital, for minor liposuction procedures some will have a registered and accredited theatre attached to their own rooms.

Operating time will vary from 1 to 4 hours. Fat extracted can be from 500mls for 1 small area to 7 litres for body shaping. Many surgeons consider it unwise to remove more than 7 litres in one operation.

Steps of Procedure
• The surgeon works up the plan of the procedure and patient is anaesthetised;
• A volume of tumescent fluid is injected into the fat;
• Sections of fat are removed with suction;
• The puncture sites are taped;
• A compression garment is placed over the areas treated.

Post operatively, the area is covered with a compression garment designed to hold the body in shape whilst the remaining fat compresses into the new contour. This garment is worn day and night for 6 weeks, but may be taken off for a short time daily for a shower or bath.

There may be some swelling, bruising and stiffness during the first week of recovery, however returning to normal activity should take only 1 to 2 days following liposuction procedures..

COSTS
Approximately $2500 for first area and each additional area $1000
Hospital $700 to $2500.
Anaesthetist $500 to $1800.

Garments - Short garments $150
Long Garments $250
Arm bands and Chin Straps $75

All costs are subject to GST in Australia and New Zealand.


MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it painful?
During the liposuction operation, with proper care and an experienced medical team, the patient will not feel any pain. During the first 1 to 2 days of recovery, there may be some muscle soreness progressing to stiffness for several days. By 7 days post operatively the patient should be without any discomfort.

Will the fat Return?
It is unlikely that fat cells will regrow following liposuction, however those left behind can still increase in size causing a shape change. Attention to diet and maintenance is advised.

How much thinner will I be?
A patient could reasonable expect to reduce 1 garment size, however, this is not a weight reduction technique. Liposuction creates a better body shape.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
The most common complications are:
• Corrugations or indents in the contour of section treated can be caused by surgeon error or inexperience. Usually there is too much fat taken from the section directly under the skin.
• Uneveness - resulting in one thigh being larger than the other;
• Skin Damage - scarring or damage to the skin causing necrosis;
• Excessive Bleeding - resulting in haematoma or extensive bruising;
• Nerve Damage - causing persistent numbness
More serious medical conditions can occur such as thrombosis, dehydration

HOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
The Cosmetic Surgery Report can advise you on how to avoid disappointment with any liposuction procedure. Please call us on 1800 682 777 for further information regarding liposuction.

© Pamela Noon 2003
All text and images on this website are property of Pamela Noon and are not to be reproduced without written consent.