LIPOSUCTION
Contents
WHAT IS A FAT REMOVAL PROCEDURE AND WHY IS IT
PERFORMED?
A fat removal procedure can help men and women of all ages
(dependent on skin condition) to overcome the embarrassment caused
by localised areas of excess fat. Fat removal techniques such as
liposculpture and liposuction are most suitable for the reduction
or removal of stubborn areas of fat that have previously proved
resistant to normal diet and exercise regimes. Fat removal
techniques are especially suitable for areas that remain out of
proportion to the rest of the body shape, irrespective of a
person’s weight loss.
A fat removal procedure involves the permanent surgical removal
of fat from just below the surface of the skin through suction key
hole surgery. This procedure can be performed under local or
general anaesthetic and often involves a one night stay in hospital
to recover.
The ultimate objective of liposuction surgery is to produce a
well contoured and permanently slimmer profile on the area treated.
The aim of the surgeon is to create a new shape that will
compliment and work in harmony with the other proportions of a
patient’s body, and not to produce a magic weight loss result.
WHAT KIND OF MEN AND WOMEN REQUEST THIS PROCEDURE?
- Men and women of all ages who want to correct the shape of
their body
- Men and women who have uneven proportions
- Men and women who are limited by the way that their proportions
interfere with their normal daily activities and ability to
exercise in comfort
- Men and women who feel they have fashion restrictions caused by
needing to choose from a limited range of clothing styles
- Men and women who feel that their self esteem, confidence or
relationships are affected by their concerns and feelings about
their shape and size
- Men who suffer with a condition known as Gynaecomastia
(enlarged breast tissue).
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS LIKE?
This particular procedure can provide dramatic results,
correcting a disproportionate shape. This corrective procedure is a
lengthy and potentially challenging one and needs to be performed
by a Consultant Plastic Surgeon who is fully qualified and well
experienced to skillfully perform this type of surgery.
Improved results will take place almost immediately following
surgery, but these results will be obscured by the inevitable
swelling that takes place following this type of procedure. After
the initial post-operative swelling has settled down, subtle
improvements to the contour and newly created shape will take place
for up to six months following liposuction surgery.
WHICH AREAS NORMALLY RESPOND WELL TO FAT REMOVAL
SURGERY?
- Hips
- Outer thighs
- Inner knees
- Lower abdomen
- Lower buttock folds
- Chest area (in men only)
HOW IS A FAT REMOVAL PROCEDURE PERFORMED?
A liposuction procedure involves the surgical removal of surplus
fat through a slender tube called a cannula. This cannula can be
either connected to a large syringe or a special surgical vacuum
device, through which, excess fat cells are carefully sucked away.
During the procedure the surgeon gradually reduces the fatty
deposits of any problem area until the area resembles a
proportionate and more normal contour.
Customers can be either fully anaesthetised or sedated
throughout this procedure, which can take an average of between 1-2
hours to perform. The type of anaesthetic chosen will usually
determine whether a patient is treated as a day case or be required
to stay in hospital overnight to recover.
Techniques for fat removal vary between surgeons and according
to the individual needs of each case. However, most commonly, the
surgeon injects the selected area with a clear solution that limits
bleeding and bruising and numbs the surrounding tissue for up to 8
hours following surgery before excess fatty deposits are removed by
suction. This solution will be absorbed in part by the body and the
remaining solution will leak out of the tiny cannula incisions for
several days after surgery. This is a normal process and customers
should not be alarmed by such leakage.
Following surgery the small key hole incision sites left after
the suction surgery are either sutured together with a tiny single
stitch, or closed with a simple elastoplast dressing. Customers are
then dressed in a firm support garment, which must be worn at all
times for 4-6 weeks following surgery. This support garment is
important, as it adds pressure to the newly formed shape and
assists with the early reduction of swelling and tissue
healing.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER FAT REMOVAL SURGERY AND WHAT IS THE
RECOVERY PERIOD LIKE?
Whilst fat removal procedures are usually considered reasonably
minor, the operated area is often quite tender, bruised and painful
for several weeks following surgery. Analgesic tablets (pain
killers) are always provided for any discomfort and customers are
encouraged to stay as mobile as possible during their early
recovery stage to help improve their circulation. This in turn,
will help diminish residual swelling and bruising and aid a more
speedy recovery.
In the early days following discharge, customers are strongly
advised to avoid any excessive level of activity that would put
undue strain on the operated areas. Whilst the healing wounds are
well hidden beneath the skin they still need the same consideration
that any visible wounds require during a recovery stage.
In order to help the newly shaped fatty tissue and skin bond
firmly together, customers are usually advised to wear an elastic
support garment day and night for one week and then for a minimum
of another three weeks during
the daytime.
Customers will also be advised to take a specific amount of
recovery time away from work, dependant on the type of work they
perform, but it is usual to take around 7 days away from work,
dependant on the volume of the fat removed.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN FAT REMOVAL SURGERY?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing
complications. However, cosmetic surgery is usually undertaken
voluntarily and only when a patient is in good health. Therefore,
the probability of experiencing complications from this kind of
surgery are substantially lower than those who undergo surgery for
ill health reasons.
Risks such as irregularity, bleeding, alteration in sensitivity,
infection and scarring will all be discussed quite openly at
consultation, as well as our scrupulous efforts to manage and
minimise these risks to their lowest possible potential.
This procedure can involve the removal of reasonably large
volumes of fat. The elasticity of an individuals skin will
determine how moderate or dramatic the shape change can be. In
appropriately selected cases and in the hands of a skilled surgeon,
loose skin following surgery should not be a significant problem,
but it is worth bearing in mind that not everyone is suitable for
this procedure for this reason. A careful assessment of an
individuals skin condition will always be made by the Surgeon,
before any decisions are made about a patient’s suitability for
this procedure.
The surface contour over the treated fat removal area/s can
sometimes be irregular, particularly if a lot of fat has been
removed, however if the technique is properly carried out by our
appropriately skilled surgeons these irregularities are usually
very minor.
Dimpled skin, (cellulite) will not usually be improved by
undergoing a liposuction procedure.
The loss of superficial skin sensitivity following liposuction
surgery in an entirely variable one from patient to patient.
Post-operative skin sensitivity can often be interrupted because of
swelling developing around the nerve endings of an operated area.
Sometimes it can take several months for skin sensitivity to
completely recover and on very rare occasions, a treated area may
remain permanently numb.
Typically, the key hole incisions made during a procedure are
very small (a few millimetres across). However, the appearance of
scars, (which generally fade progressively after surgery), are a
highly individual matter. Usually these extremely small scars
mature, soften and fade to a negligible level by 6 months following
surgery. Very occasionally however, customers can develop
discoloured, unsightly firm scars, known as hypertrophic or keloid
scarring, which may require further corrective treatment.
WHAT NEXT?
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the
Consultant Plastic Surgeon who will perform your procedure cannot
be over stressed. You need time to consider all benefits and risks
of fat removal surgery and the opportunity to reflect on the
information the surgeon offers you before you make any decision
regarding potential surgery.
At Vive Life Care each consultation is tailored to an
individual's needs, but the process will always involve a thorough
evaluation of your present and past medical history and a physical
examination of the problem area. Your surgeon will take time to
listen to your concerns regarding your present body shape and will
take care to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what
can be done to help, the procedure itself, the recovery stages and
a clear explanation of the risks involved.