What Are The Different Types Of Liposuction?

Liposuction procedures may vary due to many factors such as the patient’s preference, amount and type of fat to be removed, and according to the surgeon’s opinion. There are mainly six kinds of liposuction procedures involving different methods and equipment.

Laser Assisted Liposuction

A highly concentrated laser beam light is flashed which breaks down the tissue and melts the fat away. This technique means lesser bleeding, bruising and inflammation to the patient.  

Power Assisted Liposuction

A cannula, operated mechanically, makes small incisions and extracts fat quickly. This results in more precision and a short surgical procedure.

Suction Assisted Liposuction

A classical procedure where fat is extracted with a cannula attached to a pressurized vacuum. 

Twin Cannula Assisted Liposuction

Using two mechanical cannulas for the procedure  instead of one means lesser burning and scarring. This method makes it easy for the surgeon to perform the procedure and demands lesser efforts from him.

Tumescent Liposuction

A tumescent fluid (to produce swelling and firmness) is injected into the fatty tissue. The surgeon uses a cannula to extract the fat and the blood vessels contract. This ensures minimal bleeding and bruising to the patient.

Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction

This procedure does not involve lasers and suctions. The fat is exposed to an ultrasound energy which cause the cells to rupture and liquify, making it easy for the surgeon to extract them. This makes the procedure efficient and causes the least trauma as compared to the other methods.

What To Do Before A Liposuction?

• Choose a surgeon you are comfortable with and discuss with him the techniques, complications, results, your expectations and preferences, his opinions, and other necessary details. 

• Get lab tests and other important medical evaluations as suggested by your surgeon. This is to ensure you are fit for the procedure.

• Take certain specific medicines as prescribed or you may have to adjust your current course medication and prepare for the procedure. For example, aspirin and other pain medication have to be avoided for one week prior to the surgery as they lead to excess blood flow and prolonged recovery time.

• Quit smoking and other tobacco-related products to minimise post procedural risks.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and other herbal medicine should be avoided as they could cause excessive bleeding during the surgery and in the stages of healing after it.

• Make sure to arrange for someone to drive you back home after the surgery and assist you in the day that follows. 

What Is The Post-operative Care For Liposuction?

• Do not engage in strenuous physical activity in the first few days that follow the surgery. You can slowly begin your exercise routine 4 days after.

• Elastic bandages or compression garments have to be worn on the treated areas to control swelling and compress the skin to the new body contours. While removing these garments, the patient may feel lightheaded which can be prevented by giving a ten minute interval between removing two garments. 

• Small drains may be placed temporarily in the incisions to remove excess fluids. Generally, the more drainage there is, the lesser bruising there will be.

• Antibiotics and other prescribed medication must be strictly taken according to after care instructions.

• The patient is required to keep the incisions clean by washing them with soap and water and showering daily.

• Application of ice packs, heating pads and bandages is not allowed on the treated areas during the recovery stages.

• Aspirin, ibuprofen and consumption of other non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs can increase bleeding and can weaken the immune response to infection. 

What Are The Realistic Expectations From A Liposuction?

Having realistic expectations for a liposuction surgery is important so that the patient feels satisfied after the surgery. 

• The first thing to note is that, liposuction cannot be used to eliminate stretch marks or cellulite from the skin, but is instead useful to remove fat concentrations from specific areas in the body. 

• While the patient loses moderate amount of weight through the surgery, s/he can also put on some weight after the procedure, resulting in changing body shape. 

• It is important to realise that liposuction is not a solution for obesity. Thus, patients cannot opt for the surgery as an alternative to diet and exercise. 

• While the results of liposuction last for a lifetime and are permanent, the fat cells cells that remain after the procedure can grow bigger if the individual puts on weight.

Who Should Avoid Undergoing A Liposuction?

Before undergoing a liposuction procedure, a prospective patient must confirm his/her candidacy for the surgery with a qualified surgeon. 

• Generally, women who are pregnant and nursing should avoid the surgery as the anesthetic can affect the foetus negatively. 

• Individuals suffering from health problems such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart problems should also refrain from the surgery as their medical condition can interfere with their healing. 

• People who are taking blood thinning medications are not suitable candidates as these medicines can lead to excessive external and internal bleeding. 

• Those allergic to lidocaine (used in the procedure) are also not suitable candidates for the surgery. 

• In order to undergo liposuction, a patient must at least be 18 years of age or older.

What Are The Alternatives To Liposuction?

Endermologie

It is a non-invasive massage therapy which reactivates fat release and the production of collagen. It reduces fat cell and reshapes the body. However, it is a long term process and has a temporary effect.

Mesotherapy

It is the least painful non-surgical procedure, appropriate for healthy individuals. It is carried out by injecting certain medication into the layer of fat and tissue underlying the skin. This melts the underlying fat. The specific combination of natural extracts, pharmaceuticals, homeopathic agents and vitamins injected eliminates fat deposits from the body.

Cryolipolysis

This is a non-surgical fat freezing procedure, apposite for people looking to reduce small trouble spots on hips, abdomen or thighs. It cools the fat cells to a low temperatures near to 4 Celsius, without affecting the surrounding tissues, which leads to their subsequent destruction.

Once the fat cells perish, they naturally get eliminated from the body in the days following the treatment. This method has minimal healing time and helps achieve permanent results.

Does Liposuction Lead To Scarring?

The procedure does leave a few scars as small incisions have to be made in order to extract fat. However, the scars are very small, a few millimetres in length and are made in discreet locations. They are nearly indiscernible. These scars also tend to fade away over time and medication to help reduce their visibility can also be taken. 
Compression garments must be worn for about a month after the surgery in order to minimise swelling and achieve the best possible results. 

 What Are the Temporary Side-effects Of Liposuction? 

There are several risks and complications involved in a liposuction surgery, which can be tackled with adequate care and attention on part of the patient. 

• A patient might experience temporary swelling and numbness in and around the treated areas. This is normal and ice packs will help in subsiding the swelling.

• Irritation, scarring and minor scarring around the incisions and baggy or rippling skin are also temporary side effects of the surgery. Avoid rubbing the incisions.

• More serious threats include permanent change in skin colour and damage to nerves and skin. However, these are extremely rare and if a qualified surgeon is chosen to perform the procedure, safe results will follow.

 How To Choose A Surgeon For A Liposuction Procedure?

A prospective patient looking to undergo liposuction should choose a surgeon with maximum amount of experience, who is board certified with a good record of operations. This is because performing a liposuction surgery requires expertise, which only a well trained and skilled surgeon can provide. 

In order to ensure safety, a patient must always consider the safety philosophy and technique of a surgeon. Since qualifications of a liposuction surgeon are not rigidly defined, the specialty of a surgeon is not that important a factor in the decision making process. 
However, the patient must always choose the surgeon with whom s/he has a good rapport, and who seems honest and ethically sound.