Letty's Liposuction Directory

All About Liposuction...

Author: Letty's Staff Writer

Okay. So, what is liposuction?

Liposuction is also known as lipoplasty.

Liposuction is the surgical removal of fat by means of an aspiration device called a cannula (thin, wand-like device with holes used for suctioning fat).

First thing is:

First a small incision is made in the skin through which the cannula is inserted just under the skin. Next, the surgeon uses suction through the cannula to remove the superficial fat deposits.

Liposuction temporarily produces tunnels in the fatty tissue. So upon completion of the surgery the incision is closed and the surgical area is wrapped with tight bandages, and covered with supportive garments.

The final stage of the procedure actually occurs during recovery when the disrupted tissues collapse back into the desired shape during healing.

"Lipo" otherwise known as...

Liposuction also known as suction-assisted lipectomy. Liposuction is cosmetic surgery used to remove unwanted superficial deposits of fat from under the skin.

Your surgeon re-shapes and sculpts the body by removing these fatty deposits that have been resistant to diet and exercise.

Is liposuction permanent?

Removal of the fat tissue is permanent.

This does not mean that a patient cannot gain weight again.

Those particular fat cells will not regenerate again after liposuction. However, after surgery other fat cells in the body can increase their fat-storing capacity – and the individual (due to this) may in fact gain more weight than was removed during surgery.

The average amount of fat removed is about a liter (a quart).

Liposuction can be performed as an outpatient procedure – under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia will dull the pain locally at the site of incision without loss of consciousness.

Liposuction is more art than surgical procedure in many senses.

Expert application of the procedure requires skill on the part of the physician in tailoring the procedure to the patient before him or her.

He or she really must have a good sense about what areas from which to remove fat and in what quantities.

How much fat will be removed?

And like any good designer – the skilled surgeon will have a practiced sense of when enough fat removal has taken place to obtain the best result for the patient. In other words they will know when to quit. Liposuction entails a practical application of scientific knowledge with precision and craftsmanship and is a skill attained with clinical experience.

How long does the surgery take?

The length of time a typical surgery may take can vary. The more fat removal that takes place will increase the length of surgery.

Typically most operation will take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Before the surgery precise and accurate pre-operative markings will be made on the surgical area for the best result. With the patient standing the surgeon will outline areas to be treated with a fiber-tipped permanent marker. Not only will the areas to be liposuctioned be marked – but the areas to be avoided will be identified as well.

How long until my final results?

It takes about 6 to 12 weeks for the body to reabsorb fat cells that have been damaged during the surgery. So the final result of liposuction is seen only after the 6 to 12 weeks. This is something that your plastic surgeon should cover with you.

What is Liposuction References:

• "Cellulite." Mai Tran. and Teresa G. Odle. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Ed. Laurie Fundukian. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2009. 4 vols.

• Venkataram, Jayashree. "Tumescent liposuction: A review." Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery 1.2 (2008): 49. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 23 Jan. 2010.