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| Liposuction
(lipoplasty or suction
lipectomy) is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by
removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen,
hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck.
The past decade has seen many refinements to the procedure, and today, |
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| a number of new techniques, including
ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique and
the super-wet technique, are providing selected patients with more
precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of
liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction
can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional
weight-loss methods.
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight
people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in
certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically
stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major
consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin
elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient
with tighter skin. While there are a number of liposuction techniques
available, do not let the options overwhelm you. Dr. Frost will
assist you in determining the best approach to drive the strongest
results.
Liposuction carries greater risk and may not
be appropriate for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes,
significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation or those
who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured. |
The
Procedure
A cosmetic procedure to improve
your body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with
a tube and vacuum device. Liposuction be performed using the tumescent
technique, in which targeted fat cells are infused with a saline-containing
solution before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and
swelling. (A local anesthetic accompanies the tumescent technique.)
Common locations for liposuction include chin, cheeks, neck, upper
arms, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves
and ankles.
For larger volumes of fat or for fibrous body
areas, ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) may be used. UAL is
a new technique in which an ultrasound probe is inserted beneath
the skin to "liquify" the fat before it is suctioned.
Traditional liposuction takes one to two hours
or more to perform, but UAL can reduce the surgery time by 20 to
40 percent. Liposuction is accompanied by local, epidural or general
anesthesia, and is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Extensive
procedures may require a short inpatient stay.
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Preparing for Surgery
You will be provided with specific instructions
on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and
drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, iron tablets
and medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind,
especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be postponed.
Though it is rarely necessary, your doctor may recommend that you
have blood drawn ahead of time in case it is needed during surgery.
You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery
and to help you out for the next couple of days, if needed. |
• Temporary
bruising
• Swelling
• Numbness
•
Soreness
• Burning sensation
• Temporary
fluid drainage from incision sites (with tumescent procedure)
• Larger incisions (with UAL procedure)
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• Asymmetry
• Rippling or bagginess of skin
• Pigmentation
changes
• Skin injury
• Fluid retention
• Excessive fluid loss leading to shock
• Infection
• Thermal burn injury caused by the heat from the ultrasound
device (with UAL procedure) |
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DIET
Take it slow and easy with diet. Start with clear liquids and simply
advance as tolerated. It is normal to have some nausea from anesthetics
and pain medication but by taking it easy, this should resolve quickly. |
ACTIVITY
Take it easy for a day or two. Walking is good. Your activity is really
only limited by discomfort. You may walk, run or do most any exercise
you can tolerate. Don’t swim for a week or two to keep the incisions
from soaking in water. |
PAIN
There is discomfort after any surgery. Most patients describe the
sensation after liposuction as “bruised”. The goal of
pain medication is to prevent¬ pain so don’t wait until
you are really hurting to take your medication. Follow the instructions
for your prescription and we think you will get the best relief possible.
Narcotics can cause constipation so drink plenty of water, eat fruit
and use an over the counter laxative if needed. You may switch to
an over the counter pain medication any time you choose. |
DRESSINGS & BATHING
Bathing is limited mostly by the compression. Wear the garment day
and night until instructed that it can be removed. Sponge bathe. Some
people prefer to shower with the garment on and dry with a hair dryer.
Do whatever is most comfortable for you but don’t remove the
garment. |
RESULTS
Don’t try to judge results yet. You will be swollen and bruised.
You should be able to see most of your results in a month or so but
some swelling will probably last 3 months or more. |
| QUESTIONS
Our goal is for you to be informed so if
you have a question, please call our office at 850.474.8333 |
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