body contouring - liposuction
Introduction
Suction assisted lipectomy (SAL), liposuction or liposculpture is an aesthetic (cosmetic) surgical procedure designed to remove localized collections of fat, such as occur on the thighs, buttocks and abdomen, as well as the arms, neck and under the chin.
Liposuction may be used to improve your overall body appearance by reducing and recontouring localized collections of fat. It is not a substitute for weight reduction or a treatment for obesity.
Liposuction is not for everyone. Many patients present requesting liposuction when what they actually need is an excision of fat and skin as performed as part of a bodylift, tummy tuck, brachioplasty or thigh lift. In general the ideal candidate for liposuction is a patient with good skin tone, a minimal excess of skin with undesirable localised fatty deposits. Liposuction is merely a method of removing fat, from beneath the skin. The final result will depend upon the skin shrinking to its new shape. Thus good skin tone is imperative to a good result. A patient with significant skin excess may have their situation made worse by liposuction as it will further deflate the skin envelope thus creating more redundant skin.
The Surgery
Liposuction is performed in a hospital under general anaesthesia.A cannula attached to a high powered suction pump is inserted through a small incision and the bulging fat removed.
Whilst there are a number of techniques (ultrasound, vibration) available to break up the fat, the key to liposuction is this: All the techniques work well. The important thing is not the technique, but the technician. It's the quality of the surgeon that makes the difference. The method chosen should be surgeon's preference, as accuracy of fat removal is the key to a smooth result.
After Your Surgery
Liposuction can be performed as a Day Case or alternatively with a short hospital stay. This will depend on your general health and the extent of the procedure.A pressure garment is usually worn for 4-6 weeks post-operatively in order to decrease bruising and swelling and to encourage the skin to contract to the new shape.
Bruising and swelling are common - the bruising usually subsiding in 3 weeks and the swelling in 8 weeks. Other complications such as infection and prominent scars are unusual. Slight irregularities such as grooving under the skin may occur and this may be accompanied by looseness of the skin-although the skin does usually contract over a period of time. Because of their small size (usually about 1 cm) scars are not usually significant after liposuction
Returning to normal activities is an individual matter, but most people return to work within two to four weeks and to more vigorous exercise after six weeks.
To be able to drive a vehicle you must be comfortable, off all strong pain killers and moving freely, this can vary from one to four weeks after the operation.
Mr. Bloom encourages the use of a supporting garment to minimize swelling and optimise healing and contour.