LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which fat deposits are suctioned from specific parts of the body, the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, or back. Liposuction  consists of the removal of body fat using a device called a cannula that aspirates fat cells by suction. There are limits to amount of fat that can be removed and the degree of body sculpturing that can be accomplished by liposuction. However, in patients with abnormal deposition of fat, liposuction is extremely helpful in enhancing appearance.

Liposuction is effective in most patients who have good skin elasticity. Liposuction is performed through small stab incisions (3 mm). A cannula is inserted into a layer of fat and the fat is extracted through a vacuum.

There are several techniques for liposuction. The super-wet technique injects fluid into the patient's body, roughly the same amount as the fat to be extracted. The tumescent technique injects double or even triple the amount of fluid.

Most of the time liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure under sedation or general anesthesia. The majority of case patients may be sent home a few hours after surgery. If large amounts of fat are removed (more than 5 liters) the patient is discharged from the hospital in the morning following the operation.

The patients are advised to wear the elastic girdle 2-3 weeks. The patient may return to daily activities and work in a couple days.