Liposculpture

In considering the cost of Liposuction treatment abroad it may be useful to understand what is involved in this treatment at our clinic.

Liposculpture, also known as lipoplasty, liposuction, lipoaspiration, fat suction, suction lipectomy or body contouring, is a procedure that can help sculpt your body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck.

During the past decade this procedure has benefited from several new refinements. Not long ago the following were new techniques, now they are part of every good surgeon’s background:

Ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL),
The tumescent technique

These advanced techniques help plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

Is liposculpture right for me?

If you're thinking about liposuction it is essential that you have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It's important to understand that, while liposuction can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. So before you decide to have surgery, please think carefully about your expectations and do not hesitate to ask our trained facilitators to call you in order to discuss thoroughly this matter.

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 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.

How is liposculpture surgery performed?

There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome, surgeons will decide based on your particular case which is best for you.

Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out by a vacuum pump or a large syringe. If many sites are being treated, your surgeon will then move on to the next area, working to keep the incisions as inconspicuous as possible.As fluid is lost along with the fat it's crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients are carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced.

Fluid Injection
This is a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid - a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anaesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) - allows the fat to be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anaesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.

Tumescent Liposuction
Large volumes of fluid -- sometimes as much as three times the amount of fat to be removed - are injected in the tumescent technique. Tumescent liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anaesthetic, usually takes significantly longer than traditional liposuction (sometimes as long as four to five hours). However, because the injected fluid contains an adequate amount of anaesthetic, additional anaesthesia may not be necessary. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or 'tumescent' state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.

Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)
This technique requires the use of ultrasound. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique.

How long will liposculpture surgery take?

The time required to perform liposuction varies considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthetic and technique used.

How long will my recovery take?

Healing is a gradual process; you will probably be advised to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to ten days.

Activity that is more strenuous should be avoided for about a month as your body continues to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more.

What am I to expect after my surgery?

After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.Don't expect to look or feel great immediately after surgery. Although the newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your doctor, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days.