Most of us are familiar with our body’s area with stubborn fat, and no matter what diet or exercise routine you follow, this stubborn fat won’t go away. Unlike the visceral fat attached to internal organs like the pancreas and liver, this fat lies under the skin that can be pinched and felt.
This can be frustrating, especially when you are following a healthy diet and doing exercise regularly, but still stubborn fat does not seem like leaving anytime soon.
In order to get rid of extra fat from the body, liposuction, also known as lipectomy, lipoplasty, or lipo, is used. It is a cosmetic surgical procedure that breaks down and sucks fat from the body.
Getting rid of excess fat is done not only for vanity purposes but also for preventing diseases and health problems such as diabetes, heart diseases, etc.
This procedure is often applied on the chin, neck, and upper and back of arms, abdomen, back, thighs, buttocks, and calves. A cannula is used to remove fat. A cannula is a hollow instrument inserted under the skin and high pressure; a powerful vacuum is applied to the cannula.
This procedure sucks out extra body fat. Liposuction is not an obesity treatment, it is not a weight loss process. It is a cosmetic procedure performed on people with stable body weight, but they want to tone their bodies by removing undesirable fats from specific body parts.
Normally liposuction is performed for cosmetic purposes, but it is also used to treat certain diseases. These conditions include:
• Lipomas: Lipomas are benign fatty tumors.
• Gynecomastia: Fats accumulates under a man’s breasts.
• Lymphedema: It is a chronic condition in which excessive lymph fluid accumulates in tissues resulting in swelling and edema. This occurs commonly in arms and legs. To reduce pain, discomfort, and swelling, liposuction is used.
• Lipodystrophy syndrome: In this condition, fat distribution is disturbed; fat is lost in one part of the body and accumulates in another. Liposuction provides natural-looking fat distribution and is used to improve the appearance of the patient.
• Extreme weight loss after obesity: A person who has lost 40% of their BMI after morbid obesity but is left with excess skin.
Liposuction for Men
Men tend to deposit most fat around the middle of the body. Liposuction for men targets mainly the love handles, belly and chest (to get rid of Man Boobs).
Liposuction For Women
Women have fat deposits mainly in the abdomen, back, hips, thighs and arms. So liposuction for women is aimed at these specific areas to get the perfect contour.
Several types of liposuction procedures are acknowledged worldwide. Today we will discuss and learn about those liposuction options that are available in Pakistan. This will help you understand and choose the best and most suitable option for you.
1. Suction Assisted Lipectomy: Suction-assisted liposuction is the most commonly used and standard procedure. In this procedure, a cannula is injected in the body under the desired body area’s skin, and vacuum suction is applied. This helps in breaking down fat cells, and these are later removed through the tube.
2. Tumescent Liposuction: This is the most popular type of liposuction. In this procedure a large amount of saline solution is pumped under the skin along with a vessel constrictor and local anesthetic. Small suction tubes are attached that will suck out fat from the body.
3. Dry Liposuction: In this method, fluid is not injected in the body before fat removal. This procedure is not used very often as it has a risk of bleeding and bruising.
4. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL): In this procedure, the cannula is energized by ultrasound. This helps in melting fat faster as vibrations from ultrasound helps to break the walls of fat cells. This liquefied fat is more comfortable with sucking out of the body.
This procedure is best suitable for back and male breasts. After this procedure, suction-assisted liposuction is used to remove emulsified fat.
5. Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAS): Power-assisted liposuction uses a specialized cannula that has a mechanized system that helps it in moving rapidly, and the vibrations help in breaking down fat. This procedure allows the surgeon to remove fat easily. It is used for patients that have large volumes of body fat.
6. Laser-Assisted Lipolysis (LAL): The laser guides this liposuction process. It requires tumescent fluid. This procedure is the least invasive of all fat removing procedures. In this method, through a small incision, a tube is inserted in the body that delivers laser energy to eliminate fat cells under the skin.
7. High Definition HD Liposuction (HDL): This is also known as abdominal etching procedure as it gives the appearance of six-packs to the body. This is a surgically invasive procedure and includes fat grafting and selective liposuction to achieve desired results.
Just like any other surgery, there are certain factors associated with liposuction. Some of the possible side effects and risks include:
• Contour Irregularities: Uneven fat removal might lead to wavy or bumpy skin with unusual healing and poor skin elasticity.
• Fluid Accumulation: There can be temporary fluid pockets formed under the skin. These pockets of fluids need to be drained with a needle.
• Infection: Even though skin infections due to liposuction are rare, there is a possibility of skin infection that could be life-threatening.
• Nerve Irritation: Temporary nerve irritation can occur. After surgery, the affected area can undergo temporary or permanent numbness.
• Internal Puncture: Very rarely, a cannula can cause an internal puncture that needs immediate surgery to repair.
• Fat Embolism: A fat embolism can form. Fat embolism is a piece of loosened fat that might break away and enter the bloodstream; it can gather in the lungs or travel to the brain, causing a serious medical emergency.
• Kidney, Lung, and Heart Problems: As external fluids are added in the body, this might change the fluid levels of the body, and if those fluids are not suctioned out properly, this might lead to life-threatening kidney, heart, and lung problems.
• Lidocaine toxicity: Lidocaine is an anesthetic administered in the body and fluids to manage the pain. Even though it is safe, but very rarely, Lidocaine toxicity can occur that cause serious central nervous system and heart issues.
Some of these changes are permanent, and some are temporary. The chance of risk and complication increases if your surgeon is doing multiple procedures simultaneously or is dealing with a large surface area. Choose your surgeon wisely as this can either shape you or break you.
A Liposuction surgery is recommended when:
•The candidate is in good physical health
•The candidate is within a range of about 12 kilos of his should be body weight
•The excess fat deposits have not responded to either exercise or diet
•The candidate is above 18 years old
•When the candidate's primary goal is a major loss of weight
•When the candidate is a pregnant woman; this is because of the reason that a woman's body weight might significantly vary post-childbirth and hence, it is good to just wait and see how things shape up
•When the candidate is a smoker; this is because smoking constricts the body's blood vessels, thus impairing the circulation of oxygen that is essential for healing post-surgery
Liposuction is not dangerous, in fact, it is the most widely used cosmetic procedure nowadays. However, certain complications are associated with it. It is very important to consult an experienced cosmetic surgeon to reduce the risks and side effects. Talk to the surgeon about the outcome you are expecting out from the surgery and clear every possible doubt to minimise any danger.
The post- treatment guidelines include:
•Following a healthy diet: There is no set liposuction diet; having said that, lean protein, whole grains, fresh produce and dairy products rich in calcium.
•One should consume sufficient amounts of water in a day and cut back completely on processed foods.
•Exercising: Moderate aerobic exercises are probably the best options for a patient who has undergone liposuction. Some of the best forms of exercise include jogging, walking, cycling, etc.
Liposuction, being an outpatient procedure, results in quick recovery. In most cases, patients can resume their normal routine within 15 days. However, the bruising, tenderness and soreness could persist over a few weeks.
Studies state that about 5000 mL (5 L) of fat which is equal to 11 pounds can be extracted out. This a maximum limit and there may be variations depending on the body mass index of the patient. A drastic result should not be expected in terms of weight loss because the surgery is carried out to remove excess fat which has nothing to do with the body weight.
The results are more or less permanent. The fat cells which are removed during the procedure certainly do not form back. However, one needs to adopt a healthier way of life to achieve the best results and not let further fat cells accumulate.
The cost of liposuction in India ranges within Rs. 70,000 - Rs. 2,75,000 depending on how many body parts and fat to be removed.
It is important to eat right in order to maintain the results of surgery. Those who have had this surgery done should avoid:
•Consuming fried foods
•Beverages containing soda
•Baked food such as cookies
•Ice cream
•Refined grains,
•White bread
•Processed meat.
Liposuction v/s Tummy Tuck :
Liposuction is preferred when a person wants to get rid of small fat deposits from thighs, hips or stomach. A Tummy tuck in addition to removing fat also helps in getting rid of excess skin. It is used for a flat midsection. Patients who suffer from obesity should go for a tummy tuck than liposuction.
Liposuction can be carried out at many areas apart from stomach such as arms, chin or legs. A tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdominal area by tightening the muscles. Liposuction does not help against loose muscles and extra skin.
Are you looking to get your liposuction done correctly? Let Dr. Sheetal Londhe Monteiro do this who goes the extra mile to satisfy every single patient of him fully. She will not disappoint you after having years of experience in cosmetic surgery and performing hundreds of successful liposuction procedures.
She makes use of cutting-edge technology as well as up-to-the-minute surgery tools, in particular, advanced techniques. This is how she gets in the bag maximum client satisfaction.
Get to know about our client’s feedback for a better idea.
Above all, always choose a proficient cosmetic surgeon e.g., Dr. Sheetal Londhe Monteiro to yield maximum results.