Liposuction

Liposuction, also known as Liposculpture is a cosmetic surgery that contours and sculpts your body into a slimmer profile, removes unwanted and excess fat.
Liposuction surgery can be used to treat stubborn fat pockets in many parts of the body including the thighs, arms, neck, hips, waist, back, inner knee, chest, cheeks, chin, calves and ankles.
By reducing total body fat, it can help to lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Liposuction does not remove cellulite, only fat.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are:
1. Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone.
2. Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing.
3. Non-smokers.
4. Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for body contouring.
The procedure is most suited to those who are close to their ideal body weight, but if you have a lot of fat in a isolated area, you may still be a good candidate.
Some patients find liposuction to be a good incentive for weight loss, but it is not a remedy for obesity.

Liposuction pre-op preparation:
• Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications
• If you smoke, quit smoking for at least 2 weeks pre-op
• Obtain a copy of your doctor’s protocol
• Make arrangements to have someone drive you to and from the operation
• Fill prescriptions (especially pain medications) before surgery
• On the day of surgery, were loose clothing which will be easy to get off and on after operation
• Follow your physician’s directions carefully regarding medications, eating and drinking

Techniques:
There are two basic techniques used in liposuction: tumescent and ultrasonic. Both techniques share core surgical elements. In fact, even if ultrasound is used, it will be followed by tumescent liposuction.

Tumescent liposuction: First, the surgeon fills the fat with tumescent fluid (a solution containing saline and local anesthetic). Then, the fat is suctioned with long thin rods. The procedure can now be performed through a few small incisions, wich can be hidden with natural skin creases. The tumescent technique may reduce blood loss and alleviate pain.

Ultrasonic liposuction or VASER : also starts with filling the fat with tumescent fluid to make the fat stiff. However, the fat is not suctioned, but liquefied with high-frequency ultrasonic energy with a long thin rod that emits ultrasonic waves. The rod is inserted into the fat through a tiny incision and then, the fat is suctioned out.

Laser Liposuction  : also starts with filling the fat with tumescent fluid to make the fat stiff. However, the fat is not suctioned, but liquefied with high-frequency Laser energy with a long thin rod that emits Laser waves. The rod is inserted into the fat through a tiny incision and then, the fat is suctioned out .

Anesthesia:
Liposuction can be performed under general anesthesia, sedation, or under local anesthesia depending upon your surgeon and your circumstances.
Depending on how many areas are being worked on, surgery lasts from 30 minutes to 5 hours.
After surgery, you will wear a body-compression garment. You must wear this for several weeks.

Liposuction recovery:
Recovery from liposuction can be uncomfortable, but most people are back to work within 10 days. During the first few weeks most people experience varying degree of pain, burning, swelling and temporary numbness.
Although the new shape of your body usually begins to emerge in the first few weeks, some swelling may remain for several months. Major weight gain or loss after liposuction can produce skin surface irregularities. The final result may not be clear until 6 months after surgery.

Liposuction risks / complications:
• Abnormal body contour
• Anesthesia reaction
• Bleeding
• Burning
• Fat embolus
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Keloid
• Reactions to medications
• Necrosis
• Swelling

More risks are associated with:
Extracting large amounts of fat

Using general anesthesia in a hospital setting

Performing multiple procedures during the same surgery
The PIAA study confirmed that patients who had liposuction performed under local anesthesia using the tumescent technique had no fatalities and fewer complications.

Scars:
Surgical scars are permanent. However, usually only two small incisions are made for each area. Incisions are often placed in natural skin creases, are hidden in pubic hair, or inside the belly button so that they are not normally noticeable except on very close observation. Certain areas are easier to hide then others.

Are the results of liposuction permanent?
The fat cells are removed permanently during liposuction, so if you gain weight after the procedure, it usually will not concentrate in the area that was treated. However, it is important to note that liposuction will not prevent you from regaining weight. To keep your new shape and new weight after liposuction, you must follow a proper diet and exercise plan.

 

FAQ :

Who is a good liposuction candidate?

A good candidate is someone who has stubborn areas of fat that cannot be eliminated with diet or exercise. He firmly states that liposuction is not a method of weight loss, but rather it is a way of correcting specific pockets of fat.

How long is the surgery?

Most surgeries are between one to three hours.

 How many areas can be done during liposuction?

Usually between three to four areas can safely be done with a single liposuction procedure . If additional areas are needed, they can be done as soon as 4 months later.

Is Liposuction safe?

Liposuction is a safe procedure, but there are risks and potential complications associated with any surgery. We perform minimally invasive liposuction with local anesthetic, which has proven 100% safe . Additionally, Dr. Maamari’s skill and technique greatly lessen the risks.

When can I exercise?

You will be up and moving the day of your surgery. Most patients return to their regular exercise routine between two to three  weeks, although they may engage in mild exercise prior to that.

When do I see the results?

Final results usually take place around six months  but most patients see the beginning of results within one month. Usually by 3 weeks much of the swelling is down and most patients are looking better than before the surgery and are able to wear a swimsuit and go on vacation.

 How much fat is typically removed?

During liposuction, enough fat is removed to get a proportionate and natural result. It all depends on your unique case. The goal is not to remove as much fat as possible, but rather to remove just the right amount in the right areas. It may be as little as half a pound, or it may be up to ten pounds.

At what age can a patient have liposuction performed?

Provided all physical criteria are met for liposuction candidacy, liposuction can technically be performed on anyone 15 – 70 years old. However, skin elasticity is a primary consideration when performing liposuction. As one’s age advances, skin elasticity gets weaker and weaker.

What are the limitations of liposuction?

We do not use liposuction as a method for overall weight loss. We use it solely as a shaping procedure for areas where genetic fat deposits have proven to be resistant to diet and exercise. The best results from liposuction occur in body areas where there is reasonable muscle tone, where skin has good elastic quality, and where fat is not excessive.

What happens if I gain weight after liposuction?

When liposuction is performed correctly, the contours of the body should be permanently improved. In other words, if you gain weight, your new contours and proportions should remain much the same as they were after liposuction. Weight gain will simply make these contours a little less visible. If you then lose the weight again and this is more easier than before liposuction , your contours should resume their post-liposuction size and shape.

Are there post-liposuction scars?

Each incision Dr. Maamari makes is no more than 3mm in length. This is small enough to prevent the need for stitches following surgery. He may make multiple incisions in order to adequately treat your target treatment areas. However, these are usually well-hidden and heal without incident

How long do I need to wear the compression garment?

Patients are generally asked to wear the compression garment for 3 weeks  full time after surgery. After that, they can wear it part time for an additional 3 weeks on day time .