|
Liposuction
The number of fat cells in the body
are established by the time a person reaches puberty. After these
period these cells act like balloons, so when we gain weight these
cells augment their size, because they're storing more fat. Also
when we loose weight these cells tend to "shrink" because
the fat inside diminishes.
What these means is that after puberty
these cells stay the same in number, but may get larger and smaller
depending on several factors varying from person to person. Liposuction
is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing these unwanted
cells of fat from different areas of the body. When removed these
cells will never come back.
Liposuction today is the most commonly
requested cosmetic surgery in the world and can be performed at
virtually any age and in any part of the body.
Patients commonly request these procedure
to be performed in their neck, cheeks, jowls, abdomen, buttocks,
thighs, hips, knees, ankles, calves and arms.
Liposuction is also used to correct
enlarged male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia. Liposuction
can be performed alone or in conjunction with virtually any other
plastic surgery procedure.
THE PROCEDURE
In liposuction the area to be treated
is injected with a special fluid/anesthesia combination prior to
suctioning. The fluid constricts the surrounding blood vessels,
making the procedure nearly bloodless, while minimizing the pain.
It also provides anesthesia during and after surgery.
When the procedure is to be started
a thin, hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through one or more
tiny incisions near the designated area. It is attached to a machine
that creates a strong vacuum. The cannula is strategically manipulated
to contour and sculpt the body. No actual pain is felt during the
procedure, although you may feel an occasional stinging sensation.
Multiple areas of the body may be
treated at the same time. Depending on the areas to be treated liposuction
can take from one to two and a half hours. After the procedure is
finished fine sutures are placed in the incisions, and tight fitting
garments are worn.
POST OPERATORY
This procedure is done as an outpatient
procedure in the overwhelming majority of cases, so you will be
discharged after resting in your suite and feel comfortable to go.
You may feel a little bruised and sore as if you would have overexercised
that part of the body. Some swelling is expected, which commonly
peaks at three to four days and disappears within four to six weeks.
Depending on the areas treated you
may return to work the next day although some patients wait two
to three days of rest to return to their work. It is important to
begin normal activity as soon as possible. Also you will be recommended
a medical massage therapy starting on the next day after the operation.
The support garment should be worn
for four to six weeks to reduce the possibility of swelling, unevenness
or waviness. Your results will be likely visible almost immediately
after surgery, but the full effect may not be fully evident for
four to six weeks after most of the swelling has subsided. Patients
are usually very pleased with the results of the procedure with
a more comfortable shape of the body and an enhanced self-esteem.
|