Facts about Liposuction You Should Know

Having a cosmetic procedure performed can be a major step in many folks lives. Liposuction has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures and prospective liposuction patients have a number of options and techniques to consider before having the surgery performed. There are many important details all prospective patients should know about liposuction surgery.

Surgeons are able to help their patients decide which surgical treatment approach is best for their situation. This is called surgical judgment, which is used to decide the best surgical treatment for individual patients. This assessment of your situation can be used to prevent any potential complications, to handle unexpected occurrences during surgery, and to treat any possible complications. Liposuction candidates should always choose a surgeon that is certified by the ABPS

Prospective liposuction patients should also have information on what a good liposuction candidate should be. Good candidates for liposuction are those with realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure. Patients should also understand that liposuction enhances certain areas of the body, but does not change your overall looks. The best candidates for the surgery are folks of normal weight with firm elastic skin, and pockets of excess fat in certain areas. Patients should also be physically healthy, psychologically stable. The age of the potential patient is also a major consideration as older patients have diminished skin elasticity, and may not achieve the same results as younger patients.  

There are several types of anesthesia available to be used during the liposuction procedure. The surgeon and patient should come to a mutual agreement on what type of anesthesia provides the safest and most effective level of comfort for the surgery. If a small amount of fat is being removed, then the liposuction surgery may be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the areas being treated. The local anesthetic will be used along with intravenous sedation, which will keep the patient more relaxed during the procedure. Regional anesthesia is used for more extensive procedures. A common type of regional anesthesia is the epidural block, which is also used during childbirth. Some patients prefer general anesthesia, which offers complete sedation and it often used in large-volume procedures.

The liposuction procedure offers several techniques, which can be used to improve the ease of the surgery and enhance the outcome. The liposuction procedure removes localized deposits of fat and contour more certain areas of the patient’s body. A thin tube or cannula is inserted through a tiny incision, and with a vacuum attached to it, is used to vacuum the fat cells. The tube is pushed and pulled through the fat layer, and used to break up the fat then suction them out. Blood and other fluids are lost during the liposuction procedure, so patients must receive replacement fluids intravenously, during and after the surgery.

There are also some risks involved in having the liposuction procedure. Patients may develop infections, which delays healing, patients may form fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death. Patients may also experience excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock or fluid accumulation, or patients may have friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves or perforation injury to vital organs. The ultra-assisted liposuction technique, which uses heat energy to liquefy fat cells may cause injury to skin and other tissues.

After the liposuction surgery, patients will experience fluid drainage from the incisions, and swelling in the treated areas. Patients are required to wear a fitted elastic garment over the treated area, which helps control swelling and helps the skin fit to its new contours. Some patients may also need antibiotics to prevent possible infections. There will also be pain, burning, swelling, and temporary numbness after the surgery. Stiffness and soreness are also a common occurrence after liposuction surgery. There are also some instances of postoperative depression and anxiety, but these feelings will subside a few days or weeks later.