Suck away the fat
Liposuction has been used for about twenty years. Over the years, the technique evolved from the experimental stage into a sophisticated surgical technique. Liposuction has become more than reducing disturbing amounts of adipose tissue. Now a detailed contour correction can be performed
Current liposuctions use a tube with the thickness of a ballpoint filling. First, the practitioner accurately indicates the location and amount of the fat to be removed. He then uses the tube to partially or completely empty existing fat cells. This way you can have fat tissue removed from anywhere on your body until your contours have changed.
Anesthesia
Liposuction can be performed under local anaesthetic if the surface area is not too large. If possible, general anesthesia is still preferred, for the sake of comfort for the patient and the operator.
General anesthesia is also attractive in terms of safety. The patient can be closely monitored and unwanted effects of anesthetic fluid can be avoided.
Different techniques
There is confusion in the media about the naming of liposuction. Very simply, liposuction comes down to the suction of fat in places where it is undesirable. The suction itself can be carried out in various ways.
For example, in dry liposuction, only fat is sucked out by means of negative pressure in the liposuction tube. When the tube is equipped with a vibrating mechanism, the fatty tissue becomes more fluid.
There is also a wet technique. The fat tissue to be aspirated is injected with a liquid. This makes fat tissue easier to suck away with less blood loss. There are other techniques that differ slightly from this method. But most liposuctions these days are performed wet with simple thin tubes.
Whole body
Many areas of the body are suitable for liposuction. A very rewarding place for fat reduction is the double chin, often complemented by the jawline. Within certain limits, a double chin can be removed. The jawline is then made tight with one or two stitch holes under the jaw.
Upper arms, forearms and even hands can be reasonably contoured in terms of fat filling. An existing skin surplus or a major liposuction with non-elastic skin offers less guarantee of a good result.
Breast development in men, which is based on adipose tissue, can also be corrected by means of a puncture hole under local anaesthetic. This gives a nice result without visible scars.
The upper abdomen, lower abdomen, flanks and ‘love handles’ are very easily accessible for liposuction. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. Sometimes the liposuction only takes place when the patient has an acceptable body weight.
Hips, thighs, inside and outside of the thighs, knees and lower legs are also easily accessible for liposuction. Here too, the skin must be in good condition and no undue expectations should be aroused. Even with cellulite, liposuction is sometimes performed. Cellulite often appears to be reduced after liposuction, but there is no guarantee for this.
Post-treatment
After the liposuction, you must wear a properly fitted elasticated pants or body. It is preferably custom made.
These elastic clothes give an even result, because they support the new forms of the fat tissue. Usually you need to wear them for 3 to 6 weeks. Elastic clothing also limits swelling after surgery and reduces bruising.
Danger of Liposuction
As with any procedure, liposuction also has its drawbacks. The main drawback is that you are never 100 percent sure of the result. This is determined by the quality of the skin and the severity of the abnormality.
Infections can occur after any procedure, including liposuction. However, when sterile work is carried out under optimal conditions, and not too much fatty tissue is sucked out, the chance of an infection is small.
The biggest danger of liposuction is overcorrection. An experienced operator therefore chooses to do something too little. He can still perform a re-correction later. That is less bad than an excessive correction with all its consequences.
A commonly used limit of adipose tissue to be removed is 2 litres, in special circumstances to 2.5 to 3 litres. If more fat has to be removed, it is wise to do this in several sessions at intervals of many months.
Thanks to Dr MP Carpentier Alting, Aesthetic Medical Center Bosch en Duin.
