Liposuction
About Liposuction
Liposuction is a fairly minimally invasive cosmetic procedure used to remove localized areas of fat from the body, performed through a small thin tube called a liposuction cannula (looks like a hollow knitting needle). The fat from the targeted area is suctioned from the body through the cannula to help patients achieve a slim and balanced appearance. While the conventional liposuction procedure was effective in removing excessive fat deposits, it was a painful procedure that involved suctioning out large areas of solid fat. New technology has allowed for different techniques that improve the accuracy and reduce the pain associated with this procedure. Today, liposuction is usually performed via the tumescent technique, which breaks of fat cells and also provides for temporary profound numbness and vasoconstriction (less bleeding), making it easier to suction the fat, allowing for more fat to be suctioned safely and providing for less post-operative pain. Additionally, smaller cannula caliber size and the judicious use of ultrasound tipped cannula, add to the beneficial results. These technologies have transformed liposuction into a much safer and less invasive procedure.
Candidates for Liposuction
The ideal candidate for liposuction is someone who is in good overall health and maintains a healthy life, but has one or more problem areas with unresponsive fat deposits. It is also important for patients to have realistic expectations, and remember that liposuction cannot be used as a means for weight loss. It is instead used to remove localized areas of stubborn fat strictly for appearance and only after the patient has attempted other natural weight loss methods. In fact, since fat, volume-to-volume, weighs less than water, significant weight loss is not appreciated after liposuction even though large “volumes” are removed. This operation is a sculpturing procedure, not a weight loss procedure.
Liposuction can be used to treat localized fat deposits within the:
Thighs
Abdomen
Back
Waist
Hips
Chest (in males)
Neck
Inner Knees
Buttock Crease
This procedure may be performed alone, or can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift, breast reduction or tummy tuck, to achieve maximum happiness.
The Liposuction Procedure
There are several different techniques currently available for patients seeking liposuction treatment in Apollo Hospitals. New technologies have improved the accuracy of this procedure for both patient and doctor, and allow patients to achieve their desired results through a much less invasive procedure. Liposuction is performed through a tumescent technique, and may also include the assistance of an ultrasound tipped cannula. Liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Several tiny incisions are made and an infusion of the tumescent fluid (which contains saline with a local anesthetic and a local vasoconstrictor called adrenaline) is performed into the space to be suctioned. This tumescent fluid expands the fat territory, breaking up fat cells thereby making it easier for volume removal. After the tumescent fluid has been injected, and allowed to percolate, various size liposuction cannulas are then inserted through the same incisions and the fat is suctioned. The tiny access incisions are closed and a surgical garment placed.
