| For the basic liposuction procedure, a very small incision is made on the specific area of the body and a cannula, which is a narrow tube, is inserted through the incision and into the layer of fat deep beneath the skin. The cannula is then manipulated to break up the fat cells which are then suctioned out with the use of a special vacuum pump or surgical syringe.
Fluid injection is a newer liposuction technique in which a medicated solution containing lidocaine, epinephrine, and an intravenous salt solution is first injected into the fatty areas to facilitate the fat removal. The fat is then removed with traditional liposuction techniques as described above. The benefits of fluid injection include reduced blood loss during surgery and reduced bruising after surgery.
Tumescent liposuction is similar to fluid injection except that a much larger amount of medicated solution is injected into the fatty tissue, typically two to three times more than the amount of fat being removed. This solution causes the fat to swell before being removed. The super-wet technique is yet another technique in which fluid is first injected into the fatty tissue. In this case, the amount of fluid injected is just about equal to the amount of fat being removed.
Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is performed with the use of a special cannula that facilitates fat removal. This cannula delivers ultrasonic energy to the fatty tissue which transforms the fat cells into a liquid. UAL is particularly effective in treating fibrous areas like the enlarged male breast or the upper back.
After surgery, a small drainage tube may be inserted at the surgical site and this will be removed within a few days after surgery. Bruising and swelling are common after liposuction but usually subside within three weeks. Some minor swelling may last for up to six months. Patients will need to wear a special elastic garment similar to a girdle for several weeks as this will help to control swelling and support the new contours of your body. Patients may also experience some discomfort, burning, itching or temporary numbness. Discomfort can be controlled with prescribed medication. Significant improvement may be seen within four to six weeks after the liposuction procedure, with the final result apparent after about three months.
Most patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks after their procedure. However, strenuous activity will need to be postponed for at least a month to allow the body to heal. Provided that you follow a sensible diet and exercise after your procedure, the results of liposuction can be long lasting.
Liposuction Questions
Q. Who can benefit from liposuction?
Men and women of normal weight and in good health who have firm, elastic skin, but have stubborn pockets of excess fat in certain parts of their body: buttocks, abdomen, flanks ("love handles"), thighs, hips ("saddlebags"), upper arms, knees, breasts, chin ("double chins"), neck, cheeks, etc.
Q. What, exactly, is liposuction?
"Lipo", according to the dictionary, is "a combining form meaning 'fat'" and "suction", of course, is "the act, process, or condition of sucking". Just as its name indicates, liposuction is used to literally suck unwanted fat out of a designated area of the body.
Q. What takes place before surgery?
During your initial consultation in his Beverly Hills office, Dr. Kapoor will evaluate your health and skin condition, determine exactly where the unwanted fat deposits are, and-based on his years of training and experience in cosmetic surgery-select the body-contouring method that's most appropriate and explain to you how it works. This is the time to frankly discuss your expectations, and for Dr. Kapoor to describe the procedure in detail and point out its limitations and risks.
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Candidates for liposuction include physically healthy men and women who are of normal body weight but have stubborn areas of excess fat. Common areas for improvement include the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, the flanks or “love handles”, buttocks, hips or “saddlebags”, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. The best results tend to be achieved on patients with elastic skin. Liposuction is not recommended for individuals with certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, or poor circulation. An initial consultation with Dr. Kapoor in his Beverly Hills office will help to determine if liposuction is right for you.
