Liposuction (Fat Removal)

Liposuction is a surgical procedure using a vacuum technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms or neck. Liposuction aims to slim and reshape these areas. Another name for liposuction is lipoplasty.

Liposuction is not typically considered a general weight loss method or weight loss alternative. If you are overweight, you are likely to lose more weight through diet and exercise or through bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass surgery than liposuction. If you have a lot of body fat in certain spots but otherwise have a stable body weight, you may be a candidate for liposuction.

When you gain weight, fat cells increase in size and volume. In contrast, liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in a specific area. The amount of fat removed depends on the appearance of the area and the volume of fat. The resulting contour changes are usually permanent (as long as your weight remains stable.)

After liposuction, the skin is shaped according to the new contours of the treated areas. If you have good skin elasticity, the skin is likely to look smooth. If you have poor skin elasticity, the skin in the treated areas may appear loose.

Before the procedure, communicate in detail with your doctor what you expect from the surgery. Your doctor will review your medical history, ask if you have any ongoing chronic illnesses, and ask about any medications, supplements or herbs you are taking. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking blood thinners and certain medications at least three weeks before surgery. You may also be asked to have some laboratory tests before the procedure.

If your procedure requires the removal of only a small amount of fat, local anesthesia will be sufficient. If a large amount of fat is to be removed or if you plan to have other procedures at the same time, general anesthesia is applied.

Before your liposuction procedure, your doctor may mark circles and lines on the areas of your body to be treated. Photographs can also be taken so that before and after images can be compared.

How liposuction is performed depends on the specific technique used. Your doctor will choose the appropriate technique based on your treatment goals, the area of your body to be treated and whether you have had other liposuction procedures in the past.

Tumescent Liposuction

This is the most common type of liposuction. Your doctor will apply a sterile solution (a mixture of serum to help remove fat, an anesthetic (lidocaine) to relieve pain and a drug (adrenaline) that causes blood vessels to constrict) to the treated area. injects it. The liquid mixture causes the affected area to swell and harden. Your doctor then makes small incisions in your skin and with the help of a cannula under the skin, the fat and fluids in your body are vacuumed out.

Laser Assisted Liposuction:

This technique uses high-intensity laser light to break down and remove fat. During the procedure, your doctor inserts a laser probe through a small incision in the skin and melts the fat tissue. The melted fat is then removed through a cannula.

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction:

This type of liposuction is sometimes used with traditional liposuction (tumesan). During the procedure, the fat is melted with ultrasonic energy and the fat is vacuumed out with traditional liposuction.

There may be some pain, swelling and bruising after the procedure. Your doctor may prescribe painkillers to control the pain and antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. You usually need to wear corset-style clothing that helps reduce swelling for a few weeks.