DEFINITION, AIMS AND PRINCIPLES
Liposuction can radically and definitively diminish localized areas of protruding fat.
These localized areas of protruding fat do not go away with strict diet and exercise.
Conversely, liposuction is not a method for losing or controlling weight, and it does not aim to control the patient’s weight.
Practically, liposuction can be applied to numerous body areas: hips of course, but also outer thighs, abdomen, knees, calves, ankles and upper arms.
Technical improvements have permitted to extend its action to the face and neck (double chin ,face oval).
BEFORE THE OPERATION
A preoperative check-up is made following your surgeon’s recommendations.
The anaesthesiologist will be seen in consultation prior to surgery.
It is strongly recommended to give up smoking befire the surgery.
No medication containing aspirin will be taken for 10 days before surgery.
HOSPITAL STAY AND TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Type of anesthesia : Liposuction can be performed, depending on the amount of areas to be treated, either under local anaesthesia, local anaesthesia associated with intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia.
Hospital stay : The duration of hospitalisation depends on the amount of fat removed.
THE OPERATION :
Skin incisions are small (3 to 4 millimeters) and discrete, usually hidden in a natural fold. Fat cells from deep and superficial fat layers are aspirated through smooth cannulas tunneled though subcutaneous tissue layers, taking care to avoid nerves and blood vessels.
At the end of the surgery, a pressure dressing is made with an elastic bandage or a panty.
AFTER THE OPERATION: POSTOPERATIVE CARE AND FOLLOW-UP
Swelling (edema) and ecchymosis are observed in the treated regions.
Pain varies , but it is usually mild. The patient can resume to normal life 3 to 6 days after surgery.
A pressure dressing is made with an elastic bandage has to be worn for 2 to 4 weeks. We can resume to sports activities within 3 week after the surgery.
THE RESULT :
The final result can be best appreciated 6 months after the procedure. It is most satisfactory when the patient selection and technique are properly done, permitting removal of localized fat deposits and producing skin retraction.