What is Liposuction?
Liposuction can help improve your body's shape. This procedure removes resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device. Liposuction can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck.
Why Liposuction Prague?
Prague has many attractive features for those considering liposuction abroad. Its location in Central Europe is easy to access; its mild climate is conducive to healing and its experienced clinics and liposuction surgeons ensure you'll receive the best possible care. Liposuction Prague costs are often much more affordable than in the UK or with the NHS. For more information about getting to and around the Czech Republic, please visit our handy cosmetic surgery Prague info guide.
Liposuction techniques
There are several different liposuction techniques, but the basic technique, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as liposuction surgery has developed and been refined, several variations have been introduced. Fluid injection, a liposuction technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today.
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Localization of fat reserves |
The fluid is a mixture of intravenous salt solution, a local anesthetic and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels.) This technique allows the fat to be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after liposuction surgery.
If the tumescent liposuction technique is used, large volumes of fluid are injected into the treated area. Tumescent liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, 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 anesthetic, additional anesthesia may not be necessary.
The super wet liposuction technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that less fluid is used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat that will be removed. This liposuction technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.
Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty is a liposuction technique that requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. This energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed through the traditional liposuction technique. UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is needed. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.
Intensive liposuction procedures (when more than five litres of fat is removed) require attentive post-operative care. When you lose the fat, you also lose water, which can result in post-operative shock. Discuss with your surgeon what types of post-operative care you will need.
Anesthesia
If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. Epidural anesthesia can be a good choice for more intensive liposuction procedures. However, some surgeons prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. With a general anesthesia you'll sleep through the entire liposuction operation. Typically, people are requested to not drink, eat and smoke for about six hours before receiving a general anesthetic and may need to stay overnight in hospital.
The liposuction surgery
Liposuction surgery takes from one to two hours, depending on the extent of the procedure (size of the area, amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.) 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 (about 6mm long), a narrow tube 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. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon's preference. Liposuction techniques differ as described above in “What is liposuction.”
Since fluid is lost along with fat, fluid infusions are applied during and after surgery to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored. Corrective procedures or repeating the liposuction procedure is not recommended within six months following the initial procedure.
Are you a good candidate for liposuction?
To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. 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 psychologically stable. 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. Find a liposuction abroad surgeon here to answer specific questions.
Before liposuction surgery
During your initial consultation, your surgeon will explain the surgery in detail, discussing which liposuction techniques are most appropriate for you. You will together determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. Be sure to discuss your expectations frankly with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each liposuction technique.
Your surgeon will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. You may be asked not to use any medications containing acetylsalicyclic acid (such as Acylpyrin, Aspirin, Alnogon, Mironal, etc.) They can increase bleeding during and after surgery.
It is assumed that no illnesses (viral illness, cold, etc.) will have occurred at least three weeks before the planned operation. Report any illness to your doctor. If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help out for a few days, if needed.
After liposuction surgery
Don't expect to look or feel great right after liposuction surgery. You may experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days. Your surgeon may also use antibiotics to prevent infection. You may experience 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. You can view liposuction before and after photos here.
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Final liposuction effect |
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. Healing is a gradual process. Your surgeon will probably tell you to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help 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 usually removed within the week after surgery.
Sports or other physical activity 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. You should listen to your surgeon's advice and follow his recommended check-up schedule to monitor your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed. To read about other people's experiences with liposuction visit our forum.
Lucinda sent at Mar-28-2008 7:37: