Liposuction

LIPOSUCTION HOW DOES IT WORK?

This is basically what Dr. Reid will be going over during your consultation. Liposuction surgery is a medical procedure where excess fat is removed for isolated areas on the body through a suction method. Areas where liposuction is typically used include the buttocks, thighs, hips and abdomen. However, liposuction can also be used in other areas of the body where fat is deposited, such as the

• Cheeks
• Neck
• Upper arms
• Calves
• Ankles
• Breasts
• Knees
• Thighs

The procedure is mainly sued for cosmetic purposes and is also known as body contouring, since the patient’s body is literally being reshaped to improve overall appearance.

PRE-OP

Before liposuction surgery is performed, a patient will receive extensive consultation with Dr. Reid during which she can answer any questions, go over the procedure and what to expect. She will then administer a physical exam and review the patient’s medical history. It is important to carefully think about whether the procedure is the best course of action. Anyone undergoing liposuction surgery should be fully informed about the procedure, possible risks, and proper care and treatment post-operation.

How Liposuction Works

Before treatments begins, Dr. Reid typically outlines or marks the areas on the body that will be treated. After local of general anesthesia is administered, a small incision is made on the skin where a suction tube will be inserted to remove fat. There are several techniques that are used for liposuction to help with fat removal:

• Tumescent liposuction: The most common technique used for a liposuction procedure is tumescent liposuction. This method uses a special solution made of local anesthetic lidocaine, a drug to make blood vessels constrict, epinephrine, and an intravenous salt mixture. This uses a special solution injected to numb and reduce bleeding and bruising and to allow the fat to be suctioned easily.
• Ultrasound –assisted liposuction: This technique sues ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat cells that are to be suctioned out. Ultrasound assisted liposuction is typically used in conjunction with tumescent liposuction.

Liposuction surgery can take up to several hours, with a duration that is dependent upon the amount of fat that is being suctioned out. Once the fat is removed, the Dr. Reid may leave the incisions on the patient’s body open to help drain the fluid and may even insert drainage tubes to remove fluid and blood. The patient will be keep in hospital overnight. If necessary the patient can be given intravenous fluids to restore and fluids that may cause a temporary imbalance.

UNDERSTANDING LIPOSUCTION

Dieting and exercise are still the best means for losing weight, liposuction surgery should not be looked at as a quick and easy substitute for a living a healthier lifestyle. One must be in good health to be a candidate for liposuction to reduce the risks of complications.