Jan 30 2005 - Plastic surgery has been featured in the mainstream media more than ever before,
increasing awareness among women -- and men -- in every generation of the
techniques and procedures that can make them look good at any age.
Although liposuction is one of the most popular procedures, there are
still some facts that a prospective patient should clearly understand.
The first and most important thing is to make sure your physician is a
board certified plastic surgeon. Research your physician's credentials by
checking on the doctor's own website or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
website to see if the physician you are planning to see is a board certified
plastic surgeon and a member of the ASPS. This will ensure that you have a
surgeon who has been trained in total body plastic surgical procedures.
During your consultation with the physician, you should feel very
comfortable with the surgeon before entering into any surgical contract with him
or her. If you have any misgivings during the consultation, seek another opinion
and another surgeon.
Liposuction is not a surgical technique to lose
weight, rather it is designed to improve body contour. In almost all cases the
procedure is done in a conservative manner, taking what would be judged as a
small volume or a modest amount of weight. The best candidate for liposuction is
someone with fatty deposits or trouble areas that have not been eliminated with
diet and exercise. It is best to be within five to 10 pounds of your
ideal/stable body weight and not fluctuate up or down more than this range.
Cellulite is a skin condition that isn't usually changed or improved,
but liposuction affords a contour reduction that improves aesthetic lines
wherever treatment has taken place.
Large volume liposuction, on the
other hand, is usually defined as taking amounts over 5,000 cc and is most often
done with a brief overnight hospital stay. Procedures are most often done under
general anesthetic but also can be performed under local anesthesia and sedation
depending on the amounts and locations of the surgery. Most commonly, the
abdomen, hips, buttock region, and upper thigh areas are treated. Areas of the
knees, arms, chin, and back are somewhat less common areas of fat removal.
Technically, liposuction is currently performed by using small or micro
cannulas, which is used to mechanically break up the fat as it is suctioned.
The cannulas allows the highest degree of contour and maintain smooth
surfaces free of irregularities.
The most common forms of liposuction
today are referred to either as tumescent or wet techniques. These names simply
relate to the amount of fluid that is placed in the area of liposuction prior to
the removal of fat. The fluid contains certain chemicals that help reduce
bruising, bleeding, and trauma to the underlying tissues and promotes a more
rapid healing.
A number of years ago ultrasonic liposuction became
popular. Unfortunately this "newer" technique failed to measure up and actually
provided for more complications rather than less.
Post-operative care
always includes compression to the area of surgery, which is almost always
applied in the form of stretch garments worn for three to six weeks, as well as
physician follow-up. As with most cosmetic procedures, exercise is not
recommended in the first three weeks following surgery.
Today many
patients are able to find information through various sources, such as the
Internet, magazine articles, or television. While this research is certainly
helpful, it does not replace talking with the surgeon. Educating patients about
expectations, results and risks is best done by a surgeon one to one who
understands your specific situation and needs.
source: Written
by Gene E. Ireland, D.D.S., M.D., issued by The Plastic Surgery Group
