Liposculpture

How is the liposculpture procedure performed?

Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, is the removal of unwanted fat from specific areas of the body. Using a straw-like tube called a cannula, the fat is suctioned out of the body. Since the body does not create new fat cells, this area is forever free of those specific fat cells. Incisions are strategically placed to be as inconspicuous as possible. Liposculpture is not a substitute for weight loss, but rather a way to change what heredity may have given you in regard to your proportion. Several variations of the procedure exist, and by assessing your health, features, and the desired results, your surgeon will decide which technique is best for you.

The two most common procedures:

1. The Tumescent Technique. Performed by injecting the treatment areas with a liquid solution, generally comprised of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine, prior to the surgery. This combination makes the fat easier to remove, constricts blood vessels, and uses anesthesia.
    
2. Ultrasonic Assisted Liplasty (UAL). Performed by using ultrasound energy to liquefy the fat before it is suctioned out via the cannula. This method is beneficial for removing large volumes of fat or in areas that are especially fibrous or have scar tissue.

What will I look and feel like afterward?

Because every individual varies in degree of swelling, pain tolerance and healing, there is no exact answer. But below are some general expectations:

• The first day there will be some soreness, swelling and bruising. You will be encouraged to get up and move around as soon as possible. Your surgeon will be able to prescribe medication to control any discomfort.
   
• During the first 5 to 10 days, the bruising will reach its highest point and begin to fade. Any stitches will be removed or dissolve and you will resume very light activities. You may have some bandages covering the incision marks and will most likely be dressed in a special compression garment, which you will be expected to wear for up to 2 to 4 weeks.
   
• After a couple of weeks, you may resume light exercise. Puffiness or swelling may still be present, and you may experience numbness and itching as the nerves and tissue heal. You will notice a difference and see the effects of the liposuction, but it can take as much as 6 months for the swelling to completely vanish and your new look to take its final shape.