How is Liposuction Surgery Performed?

Liposuction is a term for removing excess fat from the body, deposited under the skin. The fat that is resistant to diet and exercise is eliminated through liposuction surgery. It is a cosmetic surgery. It targets any stubborn fat accumulations on your body. The most common sites for liposuction are the abdomen, belly, hips, thighs, waist, chin, calves, buttocks, upper arms, male breasts etc.

Liposuction involves the liquefaction/breakage of fat through various techniques. The emulsified fat is then suctioned out. Liposuction can be combined with other surgeries like breast reduction surgery, tummy tucks and gynecomastia and furthermore. It is performed to restructure the shape and outline of the body.

Benefits of Liposuction Surgery

• Eliminates diet and exercise-resistant fat
• Imparting a proportionate structure and contour to your body
• Eliminates the uneasiness in your routine and gives boost to your health

Types of Liposuction Method

Different methods are implemented for liposuction surgery. The technique chosen relies on both the plastic surgeon and your requirements.

Here are the common methods:

Suction-assisted Liposuction Surgery

It is one of the most prevalent procedures. This involves creating small stab incisions in the skin, followed by infiltrating the tumescent solution. It is the fat liquefying solution. Then a cannula is inserted. It is fixed to a suction apparatus or a syringe to enable a negative pressure for suctioning out the fat.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction Surgery

This is an advanced procedure. The procedure begins with giving an incision, through which tumescent solution is infiltrated. Then a special cannula device is inserted which emits ultrasonic waves at its tip beneath your skin. It aids to break down and liquefy the stubborn fat deposits for easy elimination.  Then the liquefied fat is suctioned out.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction Surgery

This procedure resorts to the laser fibre to emulsify the fat. This procedure begins with the administration of anaesthesia followed by incisions and tumescent fluid infiltartion. Your surgeon collapses the fat accumulations with a high-intensity laser tool. Then the liquefied fat is suctioned out.

Power-Assisted Liposuction

This procedure uses a power-driven cannula inserted into the fat deposits. The back-and-forth motion of the cannula mobilises and breaks the fat deposits.  The fat is then suctioned out.  This is again a minimally invasive procedure.

The Procedure of the Liposuction Surgery

Liposuction is a straightforward surgery. It is performed under general anaesthesia or sometimes local anaesthesia as well. This surgery is minimally invasive, safe and painless. The duration of the surgery varies according to the site and the amount of fat to be eliminated. A well-experienced plastic surgeon analyses various aspects of surgery. They execute preoperative procedures and postoperative factors precisely to avert any complications or side effects.

Preoperative Measures for Liposuction Surgery

This is a crucial phase when your surgeon prepares you before surgery. First and foremost, you must be healthy. It begins with the routine haematological and ultrasound and other investigations to rule out any disorders or complications. Moreover, specific preventive measures are to be followed to avert any unusual complications during surgery. It includes:

• Cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption few weeks before and after surgery
• Discontinuation of anticoagulants, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a few weeks before surgery
• Discontinuation of contraceptive pills
• Administration of iron supplements for anaemic patients
• Pre-Anaesthetic checkup

Liposuction Surgery- How is it Performed?

Mostly, liposuction surgery is performed under general anaesthesia., The technique implemented depends on your requirements and your surgeon. Here are the following are the various sequences of surgery.

• Your surgeon marks the surgical sites on your body.
• Administration of anaesthesia
• Making an incision at the surgical site over the fatty area
• Inserting a cannula
• Emulsifying or liquefying the abnormal fat using the designated liposuction method mentioned above
• The fat is suctioned out
•  Dressing of the area
• The results of the procedure are visible immediately

Postoperative Care and Recovery After Liposuction Surgery

It is necessary to strictly adhere to the post-operative guidelines of your surgeon for a smooth and rapid recovery.  Like any surgery, you may encounter post-operative symptoms like swelling, numbness of skin around the incision, pain.  However, they regress absolutely during the healing phase. Complete recovery is attained within a few days to weeks. Few post-operative cares include:

• You may require an overnight or 24-hour hospital stay
• Analgesics and antibiotics to alleviate the pain and expedite healing
• Compression garments to reduce inflammation and inhibit the mobility of the site that underwent the procedure.
• Rest as advised by your surgeon
• Mild exercises as prescribed by your surgeon

These guidelines expedite the recovery

Complications of Liposuction Surgery

Postoperative complications are encountered when an inexperienced surgeon performs the surgery without a well-equipped infrastructure. The liposuction surgery costs may be less; however, such places may interfere with the outcome. Therefore, it is essential to select the best plastic surgeon and centre to ensure the best outcome.

Here are a few possible complications:

• Adverse effects of anaesthesia
• Abnormalities in contour
• Persistent pain
• Skin discolouration
• Infection
• Bumpy skin due to inaccurate fat elimination
• Fluid accumulation which requires immediate drainage
• Delayed healing
• Unaesthetic appearance

Liposuction surgery requires immense skills. You may avert such complications by opting for the best surgeon with state-of-the-art facilities and well-equipped infrastructure. Such facilities may escalate the liposuction surgery costs. However, such expert surgeons and centres assure exceptional results with utmost precision. The expertise of your surgeon, well equipped and ultramodern infrastructure, combined with updated technology, reflects in every aspect across your treatment.

It is a well-known fact that liposuction is a permanent cure for the elimination of fat. It is a reliable, secure procedure for immediate results, unlike diet and exercise. The precision in liposuction surgery can overrule the liposuction surgery costs. However, these results can be maintained only if you adopt a perfect lifestyle modification. This essentially involves a healthy and well-balanced diet clubbed with routine exercise and workouts.

Dr Lokesh Handa is an eminent plastic surgeon with expertise in liposuction surgery. His proficiency and expertise in every nuance of liposuction surgery are reflected in the results of surgery.  Dr Handa’s calibre backed with innovative techniques and sophisticated infrastructure ensures accuracy with natural aesthetics.