LIPOSUCTION

What is a Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical technique that can improve the body’s shape of contour by removing excess fat from fatty deposits located between the skin and muscle. It involves the use of a small stainless steel tube called a canula which is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted through tiny skin incisions. The removal of fat is accomplished as the suction canula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery these tunnels collapse resulting in an improved body contour.

Liposuction is a technique to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body including the chin, neck, the upper arms, the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles.

Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction but a method of removing localised fat that does not respond to proper dieting and exercise.

helpful advice

General Questions

Dr. van Oudenhove and the staff work as a team professionally and discreetly to make your experience as smooth and comfortable as possible. Here are some of the commonly asked questions and answers we've put together to enable our client's in making the most informed decisions.

What is the procedure?

Ultrasound assisted liposuction using tumescent local anesthesia:

The word tumescent means swollen and firm. The ultrasound tumescent technique Uses large volumes of a diluted solution of a local anesthetic in combination with specific constrictive medications that temporarily shrink small blood vessels. The patient is prepared in the usual manner for the procedure. The surgeon marks the areas on your body with a felt tip pen requiring the liposuction. A soft plastic needle is positioned with tape into a vein on the hand. This allows for administration of intravenous sedation before and during the procedure. There is a wealth of experience both in the United States and locally to show that extensive liposuction can readily be performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. | will refer to this issue again later.

A theater assistant will cleanse the skin with a prepared antiseptic solution before the surgeon anaesthetizes the skin sites where the infiltrating cannulas will be inserted (8mm incisions). The local anesthetic solution is then injected through these sites. The surgeon then spreads a gel over the area and applies ultrasound. After ultrasonic treatment is completed the cannulae are inserted to suction out the tumescent fluid and liquefied fat. The ultrasound application by means of a probe on the skin allows for painless “Igosening up” of the connective tissue around the fat cells. In practical terms, this means that the fat may be sucked out much more easily and with less physical trauma and less swelling and pain afterwards.

Upon completion of the liposuction, which can take from half to 3 hours, the tiny incision sites are dressed but not stitched. Sanitary towels are placed over the incision sites to absorb the drainage that will occur over the next 24 – 48 hours. The attending sister will then help you into a compression garment.

Patients are usually allowed to return home the same day. In selected cases where large liposuction have been done, it may be advisable to stay overnight in hospital. In the average case of ultrasound assisted liposuction under local anesthesia, most patients are able to return to work anything from 3 – 5 days post operatively. It is extremely important to understand that the final result of a liposuction procedure performed in this way can only be expected after 6 months

Are there any Complications?

Bleeding and infection are possible risks. It is important not to mistake the blood stained fluid discharge which occurs for 24 – 48 hours post operatively for bleeding.

Excessive bleeding and infection are rare occurrences and a recent survey showed 1 case of infection out of 100 operative cases. This was due to a small superficial wound infection and easily treated. There may be temporary and in some rare cases.

More permanent injury to sensory nerves resulting in a burning sensation in the area of liposuction. This Usually resolves fairly quickly. There may be slight surface contour irregularities which are usually correctable with a minor procedure. Pigmentation of the scars where the instrument is passed through the skin may occur.

Our pre- and post operative advice

The best candidates for liposuction are in good general health and have realistic expectations. There is neither a definitive age limit nor weight limit for patients who are good candidates. It is important to again emphasize that liposuction is not a treatment for general obesity.

Before surgery please do not take any products that contain Aspirin of large doses of Vit.E for 3 weeks pre-operatively. If you take any form of over-the-counter medication, please notify your doctor well before the operation. Please report any signs of a cold, infection, boils or pustules appearing within 3 weeks of surgery.

For 24 hours before the procedure, please avoid excessive intake of caffeine containing beverages, smoking and alcohol.

Wear loose fitting clothing on the day of the procedure e.g. a tracksuit. We suggest having a light meal tan hour before the procedure.

Patients must be collected after the procedure and you may not drive yourself home. It is important to rest in bed for the first few hours at home. lf you are too active, you are likely to feel light-headed, dizzy and nauseas.

It is important to shower as frequently as you wish post operatively starting +6 hours after the procedure. You are advised to have at least 1 person helping you with the first shower because you are likely to have quite a lot of blood stained discharge from the small incisions. We suggest you remove the pressure garment while lying flat and then stand up slowly to get into the shower. After showering, the absorbent sanitary towels are placed over the incisions and the pressure garment replaced. The pressure garment needs to be worn for 2 weeks for 24 hours a day and 1 further week for 12 hours a day.

It is very important to avoid all forms of exercise except walking for 3 weeks. Any excessive movement will prevent the skin from settling flat and may cause surface irregularities. After 1 – 2 days the small incisions usually dry up and pads are no longer necessary. You may then continue wearing only the pressure garment. Bathing is again allowed after the incisions have dried up. After about 1 week, some difference in shape is already noticeable. We recommend that you be very patient in expecting results as this is a very slow process. It is due to a very gradual reabsorption of swelling and a slow maturation process involving the scar tissue under the skin created by the procedure.

In time (6 months) the maximum improvement in shape can be expected. There is usually minimal to moderate bruising after the procedure which settles fairly quickly.

Pain is not a major issue and it is rather a feeling similar to the muscle cramps caused by extreme physical exercise. Discomfort and stiffness remain a problem for about 7 – 10 days post operatively. Usually patients only need mild pain killers during this time. Starting at about 3 weeks post operatively we strongly recommend lymphatic drainage massage from a registered beautician for 7 – 8 treatments. During the first 2 weeks, you may wash your pressure garment and dry it in the tumble dryer.

Kindly note that the contents of page remain the intellectual property of Dr L. van Oudenhove