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Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure wherein fat deposits over certain areas of the body are removed by suctioning. This procedure does not give desired result when aimed for weight loss. Maximum benefit is obtained when specific areas like hip rolls, buttocks, thighs or arms are targeted for contouring.
Surgical Procedure :
Liposuction is done as a day care procedure and patient is sent home the same evening. It could be performed under local anesthesia with sedation. However when two or more areas are targeted in the same sitting and when procedure is done with patient is prone position general anesthesia is preferred.Power assisted liposuctioning using tumescent technique is followed in our centre. Through 5mm access ports tumescent fluid is infiltrated into area to be contoured and after allowing sufficient time for the fluid injected to act locally, it is sucked out using cannula’s of various sizes with “ Microaire” power assisted system. Access ports are usually placed along creases that could be hidden in undergarments. Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. Suctioned areas tightly draped with plasters to keep the skin tight. These plasters are removed during the first post operative visit after two days. Patient is then advised to wear the custom made garment for three months.
Liposuction could be done for Cheek, chin, back, hip rolls, waist, buttocks, thighs, abdomen and arms. Results are obvious only after six weeks and better appreciated when the overlying skin quality is good.
Preoperative Instructions :
Patient is advised to see the anesthetist with investigation requested.
Blood pressure has to be within normal limits. If high, medications will be started preoperatively.
Area to be suctioned has to be washed with half a cap of Betadine scrub solution (Instead of soap) the night before and on the day of surgery.
Oral Antibiotic has to be taken previous day afternoon and night after food.
No Jewels, body sprays or perfumes to be worn on the day of surgery.
Patient is advised to stop oral intake from the previous night except for any specific medications.
He or she has to report to our centre forty-five minutes before the scheduled procedure.
Postoperative Instructions :
Light diet on the day of surgery and normal diet from the next day onwards.
Oral Antibiotic and pain relief medications to be taken three times a day after food.
Plasters are removed during the outpatient visit on second post operative day . During the same visit measurement for custom made garment is taken.
Sutures usually fall off within three weeks.
Driving is to be avoided on the day of surgery and resumed based on patients comfort level.
Outdoor activity could be resumed after first outpatient visit.
Swimming and gym activity could be resumed after three weeks from surgery.
After effects of Surgery :
Swelling over the suctioned area gradually resolves over six weeks.
Ecchimotic (Purplish blue) patches may be present over suctioned areas and would take three weeks to resolve.
Patchy areas of numbness would recover spontaneously in a couple of months.
Scars of 5mm size at the port site are permanent but the color usually fades with time.
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