Details of the Procedure
During the procedure the surgeon gradually reduces the fatty
deposits of any problem area until the area resembles a
proportionate and more normal contour.
Patients can either be fully anaesthetised or sedated throughout
this procedure, which can take an average of between one to two
hours to perform.
The type of anaesthetic chosen will usually determine whether a
patient is treated as a day case or be required to stay in hospital
overnight to recover.
Techniques vary between surgeons and according to the individual
needs of each case. However, most commonly, the surgeon injects the
selected area with a clear solution that limits bleeding and
bruising and numbs the surrounding tissue for up to eight hours
following surgery before excess fatty deposits are removed by
suction. This solution will be absorbed in part by the body and the
remaining solution will leak out of the tiny cannula incisions for
24 hours after surgery. This is a normal process and patients
should not be alarmed by such leakage.
Following surgery, the small keyhole incision sites left after
the suction surgery are either sutured together with a tiny single
stitch or closed with a simple elastoplast dressing. Patients are
then dressed in a firm support garment, which must be worn at all
times for four to six weeks following surgery. This support garment
is important, as it adds compression to the newly formed shape and
assists with the early reduction of swelling and helps healing.
What kind of men and women request this procedure?
Men and women of all ages choose this procedure for a number of
reasons. They may;
- want to correct the shape of their body
- have uneven proportions
- be limited by the way that their proportions interfere with
their normal daily activities and ability to exercise in
comfort
- feel they have fashion restrictions caused by needing to choose
from a limited range of clothing styles
- feel that their self esteem, confidence or relationships are
affected by their concerns and feelings about their shape and
size
Men who suffer with enlarged breast tissue can sometimes have
their condition corrected by liposuction surgery.
Recovery
Analgesic tablets (pain killers) are always provided for any
discomfort and patients are encouraged to stay as mobile as
possible during their early recovery stage to help improve their
circulation. This in turn will help diminish residual swelling and
bruising and aid a more speedy recovery.
In the early days following discharge, patients are strongly
advised to avoid any excessive level of activity that would put
undue strain on the operated areas. Whilst the healing wounds are
well hidden beneath the skin, they still need the same
consideration that any visible wounds require during a recovery
stage.
In order to help the newly shaped fatty tissue and skin bond
firmly together, patients are usually advised to wear an elastic
support garment day and night for at least one week and then for a
minimum of another three weeks during the daytime. Patients will
also be advised to take a specific amount of recovery time away
from work, dependent on the type of work they perform, but it is
usual to take around 7–14 days away from work, dependent on the
volume of the fat removed and individual recovery.
Possible Risks
Risks such as irregularity, bleeding, alteration in sensitivity,
infection and scarring will all be discussed quite openly at
consultation, as well as our scrupulous efforts to manage and
minimise these risks to their lowest possible potential.
This procedure can involve the removal of reasonably large
volumes of fat. The elasticity of an individuals skin will
determine how moderate or dramatic the shape change can be. In
appropriately selected cases and in the hands of a skilled surgeon,
loose skin following surgery should not be a significant problem,
but it is worth bearing in mind that not everyone is suitable for
this procedure for this reason. A careful assessment of an
individuals skin condition will always be made by the Surgeon,
before any decisions are made about a patient’s suitability for
this procedure.
The surface contour over the treated fat removal area/s can
sometimes be irregular, particularly if a lot of fat has been
removed, however if the technique is properly carried out by our
appropriately skilled surgeons these irregularities are usually
very minor. Dimpled skin, (cellulite) will not usually be improved
by undergoing a liposuction procedure. The loss of superficial skin
sensitivity following liposuction surgery in an entirely variable
one from patient to patient.
Post-operative skin sensitivity can often be interrupted because
of swelling developing around the nerve endings of an operated
area. Sometimes it can take several months for skin sensitivity to
completely recover and on very rare occasions, a treated area may
remain permanently numb. Typically, the key hole incisions made
during a procedure are very small (a few millimetres across).
However, the appearance of scars, (which generally fade
progressively after surgery), are a highly individual matter.
Usually these extremely small scars mature, soften and fade to a
negligible level by 6 months following surgery. Very occasionally
however, patients can develop discoloured, unsightly firm scars,
known as hypertrophic or keloid scarring, which may require further
corrective treatment.
Contact us
To find out more about treatments and services at the Pinehill
Hospital, please contact us via our online form or on:
01462 427207