TheBestDermatologist.com - Cosmetic Procedure

The current belief is that once fat cells have been removed from the body they do not grow back. Future weight gains tend to be distributed more evenly over the body, as weight gain is the result of existing cells swelling. Obviously liposuction removes some of those cells, so weight gain in the treated areas is proportional to the increase in size of remaining cells.

Liposuction was developed in the 1970’s by Georgio Fischer, M.D. of Italy for the removal of fat deposits located in areas that are resistant to diet and exercise, or that are naturally subject to fat deposition. While not a treatment for generalized obesity, this procedure is ideal for the removal of unwanted fat deposits in the face, chin, neck, hips, buttocks, abdomen, knees, calves, chest and breasts.

To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It's important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. 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. Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured.

Planning and discussion of liposuction may require one or two consultations before an appointment for the procedure is made. A consent form will be signed by the patient prior to treatment. Prior to having the surgery, patients should refrain from taking any aspirin, (it can interfere with proper blood clotting for at least 10 days).

On the day of the surgery, you may go about your usual routine, eat a light breakfast if the surgery is in the morning or a light lunch if it is in the afternoon. Avoid drinking large quantities of liquid, as the procedure may take 1-3 hours. Be on time for your appointment and wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes. Pre-operative digital photographs will be taken prior to the procedure.

At the surgery, the doctor will mark the areas to be treated and inject local anaesthetic into the areas where he plans to make incisions. Small incisions are then made through which saline and numbing solution will be injected using a blunt-tipped needle. Some discomfort may be felt initially as the solution starts to go in, but that should soon fade as the anaesthetic takes effect. The doctor will inject the solution across the entire area to be treated. (Patients report a feeling more of pressure than discomfort or pain during this). Then, the doctor will insert the instrument (cannula) and start to remove the fat through suction.

You will work with the doctor during the procedure and he will ask you to stand up to assess the smoothness of your new contours (fat lies differently in different positions). If the procedure is on the buttocks, legs or abdomen, we request that you have someone to drive you home and also recommend taking it easy for the first 24 hours, but there is no need to stay completely sedentary. In fact, light activity will help to stimulate healing. Post-operative bruising and discomfort is usually minimal and may be treated with low grade pain-killers such as Tylenol.

A follow up visit two days later is scheduled. You should not expect to be fully able to assess the results for a few months, as the skin recontours to the reduced fat layer. In a month, additional photographs will be taken to compare to the pre-operative photos.