Liposuction

Liposuction or lipoplasty refers to the slimming and reshaping of areas of the body where localized deposits of excess fat have accumulated. It helps to enhance the proportion and contours of the body, thereby improving the appearance of the individual.   

The surgical technique of liposuction was originally applied to typical areas of fat accumulation such as the hips and thighs, but is now also applied to the ankles, calves, knees, abdomen, back, flanks, arms, breasts and neck for men and women. While liposuction would bring about a proportionate body with improved contours conveying the image of fitness and offering a deep sense of self confidence to the individual, it cannot and isn’t intended to replace weight reduction or other fitness regimens. It also cannot treat cellulite, a condition that brings about dimpled skin mostly in the thighs, hips and buttocks. It isn’t a treatment to improve skin quality, nor can it remedy saggy and loose skin. Individuals with loose skin could sometimes have their skin quality further reduced after liposuction.

Liposuction may not bring about dramatic improvement to individuals who are considerably overweight. As loose skin is a major deterrent to achieving the best results, the presence of loose skin and muscles in the abdomen may not bring about an adequate flattening of the contours. The results of liposuction will also be felt less in individuals with short thighs and wide pelvic bones.                 

The commonly employed methods of liposuction are the tumescent technique, ultrasound assisted liposuction and power assisted liposuction. The tumescent technique involves injecting large amounts of anesthetic fluid into the areas to be treated. This facilitates the removal of more fat through the suction-assisted liposuction (SAL) technique. This technique causes less blood loss and is the most preferred form of treatment for patients. Ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) combines the original method along with sound waves that dissolve fat cells, primarily in regions of the body such as the abdomen, back and the breasts where fibrous tissue makes fat removal by suction alone difficult. The technique is also employed if areas once treated through liposuction needed to be treated again. Power assisted liposuction (PAL) employs a motorized cannula for extracting fat. This technique is credited with causing less swelling and bruising as it reduces fatigue for the surgeon, ensuring precision.

Twin-cannula (assisted) liposuction (TCAL/TCL) and external ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL/EUAL) are two of the other developed techniques. The former employs a cannula pair that consists of a tube within a tube, with the inner cannula being the one that reciprocates within the outer cannula. The technique reduces the potential for burns as the cannulas don’t become hot, and is ideal for subdermal liposuction. XUAL is a kind of ultrasound assisted liposuction where the ultrasound energy is applied from outside the body through the skin rather than by the penetrating specialized mechanical cannula. This technique causes less discomfort, risk and blood loss for the patient, though it’s not yet widely employed.          

Whatever be the technique employed, liposuction only requires small incisions that measure a quarter of an inch in length. The resultant scars are generally unnoticeable, though permanent. The ultimate aesthetic satisfaction for the patient depends on the expertise of the surgeon in sculpting. It pays to select the right healthcare professional for your liposuction consultation and the treatment, if you decide to go ahead with it.

Liposuction is a safe procedure involving no serious complications, except in extremely rare cases. Side effects following the surgery generally involve soreness for about 48 hours in the areas treated. After this period, there’s often no pain requiring any kind of medication. A kind of stiffness can be felt for a week, while bruising could last for two weeks. The treated areas could also experience numbness or reduced sensation for a few months. It’s uncommon, though not impossible, to encounter bleeding or infection. Swelling could be around for a few weeks or two months. At the time of surgery a support garment is placed and must be worn for two weeks; this can be removed while bathing. The sutures at the site of incision could be the dissolving kind. If not, they need to be removed five to ten days later. For three weeks patients are advised not to exercise vigorously in the affected area. They can usually go to work the week after the surgery.               

At our surgical center, the liposuction procedure is carried out by an experienced and expert plastic surgeon - Dr. Christopher T.Chia. Liposuction is sometimes carried out along with other skin lift techniques such as tummy tuck, lower body lift, buttock lift, thigh lift, breast lift, or facelift. Liposuction as such cannot by any means help in tightening loose skin. However, liposuction as part of a skin lift procedure could help deliver the best results.