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Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery » Body Contouring Surgery » Liposuction
Liposuction
Liposuction or liposculpture is a surgical procedure used to remove fat deposits in different parts of the body: hips, thighs, knees, ankles, arms, abdomen, breasts, face, neck, etc. This treatment is not suitable for obesity or to substitute weight loss, but it does help to correct those accumulations of fat that will not disappear, either with diet or exercise.
Liposuction is suitable for women and men who have excess fat deposits.
Before surgery
At the consultation, the plastic surgeon will assess the patient's overall condition, body shape and skin quality in order to prescribe the best treatment. Sometimes, liposuction alone is not enough to get the desired results and it has to be combined with other procedures, such as an abdominoplasty.
Surgery
Liposuction is performed in the operating room in the outpatient unit but hospitalization may be necessary, depending on the extent and type of anaesthesia. If the amount of fat being removed is not excessive in relation to the patient's body size and health condition, it can be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation. Otherwise, it might have to be performed under epidural or general anaesthesia, depending on the area to be treated.
The time that liposuction procedure lasts will vary, depending on the amount and areas to be treated, ranging from 1 to 2 hours.
After surgery
In the operating room, a compression garment will be placed around the patient to control the swelling and bleeding, and to help the skin adapt to the new contour. It must be worn for about a month. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 2 to 4 weeks, and the patient may return to work in 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the extent of the liposuction and the type of job they have.
Risks
Liposuction is a safe procedure that must be performed in an operating room by a qualified plastic surgeon, under the surgeon instructions.
There are risks that are common to any type of surgery, such as infections or bleeding. Serious complications are usually due to an excessive extraction of fat and when surgery is performed in unauthorized facilities without the proper equipment.
Liposuction shapes the body contour and sometimes leaves behind undulations, pigmentation changes in the treated skin area or asymmetries that may be permanent or require a second operation.
Results
Liposuction is an effective procedure that provides an excellent aesthetic body contour with minimal scarring. The results may be assessed after a few months and they can be permanent if the patient continues on with a proper diet and regular exercise.