Liposuction, the surgical “vacuum” removal of fat from the body, although not a recommended form of weight reduction is an excellent solution for those with unsightly fatty deposits, bulges and “rolls” that are resistant to diet and exercise.
The technique consists essentially of the aspiration (suctioning) of the fat of a particular area of the body. A blunt cannula (hollow needle), which is attached to a suctioning machine, is introduced through a very small incision in the skin. The cannula is tunneled through the skin repeatedly, suctioning more fat with each pass.
The miniscule size of the incision necessary to allow passage of the cannula is perhaps one of the most favorable aspects of this particular cosmetic procedure, usually being no longer than 10 mm.
In addition, the incision does not need to be in the exact area of the planned reduction, thus allowing the surgeon to place the incision in a much less visible place on the body.
Several forms of liposuction exist, including tumescent liposuction and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty.
The tumescent liposuction technique consists of infusing the fat cells with a combination of saline solution and local anesthetic prior to liposuction, which reduces postoperative bruising and swelling.
This type of liposuction is usually performed in the areas of the chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, hips, thighs, and knees, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, calves or ankles.
To facilitate the removal of large amounts of fat, and for areas of the body, which are more fibrous in nature, the method of ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty is sometimes used.
An ultrasound instrument is inserted beneath the skin, “liquefying” the fat before it is suctioned out through the cannula.
Most liposuction procedures are performed within 1 to 2 hours or more, ultrasound-assisted techniques taking 20-40 percent longer than traditional liposuction.
Anesthesia used may be local, epidural, or general depending upon the extent and area of the surgery, usually outpatient. Procedures that are more extensive may require a brief hospital stay.
The patient will definitely suffer some temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness and/or burning sensation. Those who undergo the tumescent technique will have temporary fluid drainage from incision sites.
Slightly larger incisions may need to be made to accommodate ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
Possible complications could include asymmetry, sagging of skin, uneven or “dimpled” appearance, pigmentation changes, injury to skin and surrounding tissues, severe fluid retention, excessive fluid and/or shock, infection of incision sites or involved tissue. The heat generated by the ultrasound device has caused burns in rare cases.
All of these complications are quite rare.
Liposuction patients may return to work within 1 to 2 weeks, with more strenuous activity within 2 to 4 weeks. Recovery from swelling and bruising will take 1-6 months or more. Use of tumescent technique or UAL may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling.
Results are permanent, although patients may still gain weight in areas where fat was not suctioned.
The main variable that determines the results obtained from liposuction is the original skin elasticity of the patient. If the skin is excessively flaccid, liposuction may result in a saggy “deflated” appearance. In this case, it is often recommended that the patient have the appropriate “lift” procedure for the area of skin flaccidity (sagging, i.e. thigh lift, upper arm lift, etc.)
Plastic surgery has historically been viewed as an exclusive and costly service only the rich and famous could afford to pursue. Not anymore.
With even the most dramatic and promising cosmetic surgery procedures becoming safer, more common and far less complicated than ever as well as a growing inventory of options now available for financing plastic surgery of all forms is becoming an increasingly popular life-enhancement choice for the middle class.
As a plastic surgeon in California I can say that our plastic surgery center in Beverly Hills is a good case in point. People in the entertainment industry seeking enhancement surgeries and other cosmetic reconstruction now share seats in our waiting room with mothers from the suburbs, college coeds and a growing number of men from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. At our center, we may have many clients from the entertainment industry, but we treat everybody like a celebrity.
There is a distinct demographic shift taking place today. Plastic surgery is becoming a growing phenomenon among the middle class because the perception that it is exclusively an option for rich white women is waning. We are seeing people from all walks of life seeking cosmetic surgery – people from a wide variety of age groups, ethnicities, family situations, and economic stations.
Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery also offers our patients customized plastic surgery financing packages to cover individual procedures, such the "Rodeo Drive Mommy Makeover" a popular choice for large numbers of Latino women in their 20's and 30's. The mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck, breast lift and frequently a breast augmentation with a small breast implant. The procedure helps the moms get their body back to the way it was before they began having babies.
Financing plastic surgery is becoming a popular option for those who do not have cash set aside. Others are socking money away for a variety of procedures, much as they would for any luxury item or family vacation. A lot of people save up for the surgery, and others chose to do plastic surgery financing. They are shifting their views on the expenses involved and see surgery as an important investment and first step toward an enhancement plan for the rest of their lives.
Part of the change comes because today’s plastic surgery is performed using improved technology. This results in less expensive and safer procedures with less down time. So now people with responsibilities both at work and at home can take time out for procedures, removing plastic surgery from the exclusive provenance of the leisure class.
We also are doing most cosmetic surgery procedures in outpatient plastic surgery centers which greatly improves the ease and convenience of procedures when compared to those done in the hospital setting.
Few Consult Their GP Before Plumping For Cosmetic Surgery, Says Which? UK Only around one in eight people consult their GP before deciding to have cosmetic surgery or treatments, shows new Which? research1. Although the cosmetic surgery industry will have increased 110 per cent by 20112, the lack of independent, user-friendly advice poses a serious problem, says the consumer champion - particularly if people don't think to consult their GP. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Sat, 19 May 2007 01:00:00 PDT
Physicians Converge On Washington D.C. To Explore Adding Aesthetic Procedures To Their Medical Practices Oakstone Medical Publishing will be conducting an intensive two-day Aesthetic Laser Workshop for physicians in Washington D.C. on June 9-10, 2007. MedSurge Advances is the corporate grantor for the workshop. This month, physicians will gather at the Hyatt Regency Washington D.C. in Washington D.C. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 PDT
AAFPRS Brings The Latest Developments In Facial Plastic Surgery To Boston The Educational and Research Foundation for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) will hold its Advances in Rhinoplasty Exhibit on June 28 - July 2, 2007, at the Westin Boston Waterfront in Boston. The conference is designed to enable facial plastic surgeons from around the globe to learn the latest rhinoplasty techniques while reinforcing skills and methods through focused panels and presentations of acknowledged rhinoplasty experts. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 PDT
Death From Cosmetic Surgery Is Never Acceptable Olivia Goldsmith, author of 'The First Wives' Club,' died having cosmetic surgery. This, as well as virtually every, reported death from cosmetic surgery was avoidable. With a 446% increase in cosmetic procedures since 1997, Friedberg's Anesthesia in Cosmetic Surgery from Cambridge University Press is a timely arrival. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 PDT
Surgeons Rebuild Iraq War Veteran's Entire Nose Using His Own Body Parts Technology, developed for surgery after nasal cancers, used in multiple reconstructive operations on 23-year-old whose face was disfigured. It took only seconds for the Humvee to flip over and crash on a highway near Camp Bucca in southern Iraq in August 2005. The force of impact was blunted by the body armor protecting Senior Airman Michael Fletcher. But his gear was not strong enough to stop the wreck from crushing the rest of him. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Wed, 16 May 2007 12:00:00 PDT
'Achieving Facial Harmony': Cosmetic Surgery Times Features Dr. Slupchynskyj's Patented S-implant In Recent Article Cosmetic Surgery Times, a publishing industry leader in the cosmetic surgery arena, featured Dr. Oleh Slupchynskyj in a recent article on March 1st, 2007, "Achieving Facial Harmony: Novel S-implant addresses complexities of African-American rhinoplasty." The article subject, "Achieving Facial Harmony," is timely based on the steady increase in plastic surgery procedures among ethnic groups. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Tue, 15 May 2007 12:00:00 PDT
American Society For Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Warns Patients To Steer Clear Of Injection Fat Loss Treatments The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) released today a warning against the use of injection fat loss treatments. Patients are advised to avoid these procedures, which are commonly known as lipolysis, mesotherapy, or the brand names Lipodissolve and Lipostabil. Although marketed as fat loss treatments, these procedures are scientifically unproven, lacking any objective data on safety and efficacy. [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 PDT
Only 15 Percent Of Bariatric Patients Follow-up With Plastic Surgery, ASPS Report Says Bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity is poised to become the most prevalent major surgery in the United States. However, while most bariatric patients consider plastic surgery to re-contour their bodies after losing weight, less than 15 percent of patients will actually have it, according to a Safety and Efficacy Report in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(R), the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). [click link for full article] Publ.Date : Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 PDT
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