Liposuction
Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, lipectomy or lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that breaks up and sucks out fat from isolated areas of the body. It can be done on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, flanks, neck, chin, upper and posterior calves or arms and the back.
- Liposuction permanently removes fat cells changing the shape of the body. However, the amount of fat that can be removed is limited.
- Liposuction is used to improve appearance rather than providing any physical benefits.It is not a weight loss method or a treatment for obesity.
- Liposuction is done under local or general anesthesia depending on the scale of the procedure.Patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels are monitored throughout the procedure.
- Liposuction works best for people with good skin tone and elasticity, if the skin lacks elasticity it may end up looking loose with contour irregularity after the procedure.
- Side effects include bruising and numbness which is usually temporary and negligible scarring. There is a rare chance of allergic reaction, superficial burn or infection all of which can be resolved with treatment.
- It is advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle after the procedure to maintain the result obtained.
Here is a list of commonly used Liposuction techniques used by Dr. Amit Bhalotia:
Tumescent Liposuction
This is the most common method of liposuction. The surgeon injects a sterile solution (mixture of salt water, an anesthetic to relieve pain and a drug that causes blood vessels to constrict) into the area that is being treated. The fluid causes the area to swell and stiffen.
The surgeon then makes small cuts into the skin and inserts a thin hollow tube called cannula beneath the skin. The tube is connected to a vacuum that sucks out fat cells from the body.
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
This type of liposuction can be carried out along with the tumescent liposuction. During the procedure a metal probe is inserted in the area to be treated that emits ultrasonic energy under the skin. This ruptures the fat cell walls and converts them to fluid which helps the removal process.
Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL)
In LAL technique,the surgeon uses a high-intensity laser light that melts the fat walls. The surgeon inserts a laser fiber through a small cut and targets the fat that needs to be removed. A small hollow tube (cannula) is then used to remove the fat from the treated area.
Powered Liposuction
In Powered liposuction,a small hollow tube (cannula) that moves in a fast back-and-forth motion is used. This vibration allows the surgeon to pull out tough fat more easily. Powered liposuction causes less pain and swelling. It also allows the surgeon to remove the fat more precisely especially on smaller parts such as arms and legs.