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The surgeon inserts a cannula through small incisions in the skin. At the other end of the tube is a vacuum-pressure unit that suctions off the fat. |
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A snug compression garment worn after surgery helps reduce swelling. |
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Improvement will become apparent after about six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. |
Liposuction Procedures
Liposuction 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. Today, a number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) and the tumescent technique are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Dr. Taylor uses the tumescent technique on all patients and the ultrasonic technique on most patients. 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.
The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.
There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance its outcome.
Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube (cannula) is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon's preference. If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.
Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it's crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.
The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced.
Tumescent Technique: Dr. Taylor uses the tumescent technique on all his patients. This technique loosens up the fat so it can be sucked out more easily. It also causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels in the immediate area so there is limited blood loss, and less bruising. The local anesthetic in the tumescent fluid helps with the pain control post-operatively, and in some cases it allows the procedure to be done without any other anesthesia. Dr. Taylor typically does this for smaller areas and “touch ups” in his office operating room.
Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL): Dr. Taylor uses UAL on most patients. This technique requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique.
UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is needed. UAL tends to be more gentle to the tissues, so there is less pain, swelling and bruising. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.
[ BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS ]