Liposuction (Suction-Assisted Lipectomy)
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy, better know as liposuction or fat suctioning is one of the most frequently-performed cosmetic procedures. Liposuction is used to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific problem areas of the body. This can include the abdomen, upper arms, flank, hips, thighs, knees, lower legs, and even the neck. It is not a substitute for weight reduction.
The best candidate for liposuction is a patient who is of relatively normal build, but has an abundance of fatty tissue in a specific area. For women, the most common areas treated are the abdomen and/or the inner and outer thigh areas. For men, the most common areas are the abdomen and/or "love handles."
The procedure is performed by making very small incisions, usually in the natural folds or other easily hidden areas near the area to be treated. The suction cannula is inserted through the incisions beneath the skin. When the suctioning is complete, the incisions are closed with dissolving stitches, and a compression garment is placed on the treated area. This is usually an outpatient procedure that can be done under local or general anesthesia.
Your activity will be limited based on the area treated. You are asked to limit exercising and other strenuous activities for a few weeks to promote proper healing. Depending on the type of job, most patients return to work within a few days of surgery.
Tickle Lipo
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT TICKLE LIPO?
Tickle Liposuction also known as nutational liposuction is a new way to perform liposuction to remove excess fat cells. The nutational component refers to a rapidly moving suction cannula and infusion cannula which are used during the procedure. This allows the procedure to be done under a local anesthetic in the office thereby avoiding the charges of general anesthesia and outpatient facility usage. The rapid motion of the hand piece used for creating the anesthesia infusion is what allows this to be possible. This creates a much more comfortable way of performing anesthesia than multiple injections of an area would achieve. The rapidly moving tip of the suction cannula allows the passage of the instrument through the tissue layers in a much less damaging way so that there is less bruising and less swelling and less discomfort in the healing phase after the procedure compared to traditional liposuction techniques. Patients have the option to have an oral tablet before the procedure for mild sedation but many patients find that this is not needed. As with other types of liposuction the end point for healing requires four to six months to see all of the improvement in the treated area since swelling occurs and has to completely resolve before final results are achieved.
