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LiposuctionLiposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"), liposculpture or suction lipectomy ("suction-assisted fat removal") is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere. The fat is usually removed via a cannula (a hollow tube) and aspirator (a suction device). Liposuction is not a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet. It is a form of body contouring with significant attendant risks[1] and is not a weight loss method. The amount of fat removed varies by doctor, method, and patient, but the average amount is typically less than 10 pounds (5 kg). There are several factors that limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session. Ultimately, the operating physician and the patient make the decision. There are negative aspects to removing too much fat. Unusual "lumpiness" and/or "dents" in the skin can be seen in those patients "over-suctioned". The more fat removed the higher the surgical risk. As shown previously, reports of people removing 50 pounds (22.7 kg) of fat are exaggerated. However, the contouring possible with liposuction may cause the appearance of weight loss to be greater than the actual amount of fat removed. The procedure may be performed under general or local ("tumescent") anesthesia. The safety of the technique relates not only to the amount of tissue removed, but to the choice of anesthetic and the patient's overall health. It is ideal for the patient to be as fit as possible before the procedure and to have given up smoking for several months. Additional recommended knowledge
HistoryRelatively modern techniques for body contouring and removal of fat date back to French surgeon, Charles Dujarier. A tragic case that resulted in gangrene in the leg of a French model in a procedure performed by Dr. Dujarier in 1926 set back interest in body contouring for decades to follow.[2] Liposuction evolved from work in the late 1960s from surgeons in Europe using primitive curetage techniques which were largely ignored, as they achieved irregular results with significant morbidity and bleeding. Modern liposuction first burst on the scene in a presentation by the French surgeon, Dr Yves-Gerard Illouz, in 1982. The "Illouz Method" featured a technique of suction-assisted lipolysis using blunt cannulas and high-vacuum suction and demonstrated both reproducible good results and low morbidity. During the 1980s, many U.S. surgeons experimented with liposuction, developing some variations, and achieving mixed results.[citation needed] In 1985, two U.S. dermatologists described the tumescent technique, which added high volumes of fluid containing a local anesthetic allowing the procedure to be done in an office setting under intravenous sedation rather than general anesthesia. Concerns over the high volume of fluid and potential toxicity of lidocaine with tumescent techniques eventually led to the concept of lower volume "super wet" tumescence.[citation needed] In the late 1990s, ultrasound was introduced to facilitate the fat removal by first liquefying it using ultrasonic energy. After a flurry of initial interest, an increase in reported complications tempered the enthusiasm of many practitioners.[citation needed] In 2005-6, two new, FDA-approved technologies introduced laser-assisted liposuction. One technology employs a laser at high frequency, the other, a cold laser at low frequency. What the two laser technologies have in common is a refinement in the preparation of fat cells for removal that allows for a less invasive procedure. For patients, this can mean a smaller incision, and easier, more precise use of the cannula. The patient benefit, according to clinical trials and studies conducted by the medical technology firms and by surgeons employing the new technologies, is less tissue trauma and abbreviated wearing of the compression garment or girdle worn compared to other methods of liposuction.[citation needed] Overall, the advantages of 30 years of improvements have been that more fat cells can more easily be removed, with less blood loss, less discomfort, and less risk. Recent developments suggest that the recovery period can be shortened as well.[citation needed] PopularityRemoval of very large volumes of fat is a complex and potentially life-threatening procedure. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons defines "large" in this context as being more than 5 liters. Most often, liposuction is performed on:
CandidacyNot everybody is a good candidate for liposuction. As stated earlier, it is not a good alternative to dieting or exercising. To be a good candidate, one must be:
Diabetes, any infection, or heart or circulation problems usually nullify one's eligibility for the procedure.[citation needed] In older people, the skin is usually less elastic, so it does not tighten so readily around the new shape. In this case, other procedures can be added to the liposuction, such as an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). ApproachesThe basic surgical challenge of any liposuction procedure is:
As techniques have been refined, many ideas have emerged that have brought liposuction closer to being safe, easy, painless, and effective. TechniquesLiposuction techniques can be further categorized by the amount of fluid injection and by the mechanism in which the cannula works. Amount of fluid injectionDry liposuctionThe dry method does not use any fluid injection at all. This method is seldom used today. Wet liposuctionA small amount of fluid, less in volume than the amount of fat to be removed, is injected into the area. It contains:
This fluid helps to loosen the fat cells and reduce bruising. The fat cells are then suctioned out as in the basic procedure. Super-wet liposuctionIn this method, the infusate volume is in about the same amount as the volume of fat expected to be removed. This is the preferred technique for high-volume liposuction by many plastic surgeons as it better balances hemostasis and potential fluid overload (as with the tumescent technique). It takes one to three hours, depending on the size of the treated area(s). It may require either:
Tumescent liposuctionIn the classic tumescent technique, a large amount of fluid is injected into the area, perhaps as much as 3 or 4 times the volume of fat to be removed. It is the same saline fluid as the super wet technique, but its increased quantity creates space between the muscle and the fatty tissue, which creates more room for the suction tube (cannula) that the surgeon uses to remove the fat cells. Depending on the size of the area(s) being worked, this procedure takes longer than other techniques must as the large amount of infiltrate must be introduced slowly. The high volumes of fluid and local anesthetic required for this technique have limited its use with larger people. Laser assisted liposuctionLaser assisted liposuction may involve either of two technologies, both of which received FDA approval in 2006. These technologies have been adopted by physicians seeking an advance in liposculpture procedures. The Erchonia Neira 4L laser produces a low-level, or cold, output that has no thermal effect on the body's tissue. According to Erchonia, this technology is currently in use at a handful of cosmetic plastic surgery practices in the US. Specifically calibrated to destabilize or liquefy the fat, without affecting surrounding tissue, the patient feels neither heat nor sensation from the laser's application.[citation needed] The cosmetic surgeon then uses a small cannula to remove the destabilized fat cells. According to Erchonia, the liquefaction of the fat cells allows for a substantially less invasive procedure, with less trauma to surrounding tissue. Laser assisted liposuction may also refer to a laser technology, known in the US as SmartLipo, that employs a cannula tipped with a diode laser emitter. According to Cynosure, the cold laser's US maker and marketer, a small cannula threaded and tipped with a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser fiber is inserted through a small incision.[3] It delivers energy directly to subcutaneous fat cells-causing them to rupture. The emitted fat melting energy also coagulates surrounding tissue, thus inducing collagen retraction and tissue tightening. The surgeon monitors cannula placement by following a visible red light that shines through the skin and tissue. This is from a “guide” optical fibre in the cannula. Typically, when SmartLipo is used, fat is not removed by a suction device, but rather, dissipates through the body’s natural processes, Laser assisted liposuction of either type is considered to be minimally invasive when compared to traditional liposuction techniques. Mechanism of liposuctionSuction-assisted liposuction (SAL)Suction-assisted liposuction is the standard method of liposuction. In this approach, a small cannula (like a straw) is inserted through a small incision. It is attached to a vacuum device. The surgeon pushes and pulls it carefully through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and drawing them out of the body by suction. Microcannula liposuctionMicrocannula or very small liposuction cannula that makes possible fine, close to surface contouring, sometimes through much smaller incisions. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)Also referred to as ultrasonic liposuction. A specialized cannula is used which transmits ultrasound vibrations within the body. This vibration bursts the walls of the fat cells, emulsifying the fat, i.e., liquefying it, and making it easier to suction out.
After ultrasonic liposuction, it is necessary to perform suction-assisted liposuction to remove the liquified fat. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL)PAL uses a specialized cannula with mechanized movement, so that the surgeon does not need to make as many manual movements. Otherwise it is similar to traditional UAL. External ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL or EUAL)XUAL is a type of UAL where the ultrasonic energy is applied from outside the body, through the skin, making the specialized cannula of the UAL procedure unnecessary. It was developed because surgeons found that in some cases, the UAL method caused skin necrosis (death) and seromas, which are pockets of a pale yellowish fluid from the body, analogous to hematomas (pockets of red blood cells).[citation needed] XUAL is a possible way to avoid such complications by having the ultrasound applied externally. It can also potentially:
At this time however, it is not widely used and studies are not conclusive as to its effectiveness. Water-assisted liposuction (WAL)WAL uses a thin fan-shaped water beam, which loosens the structure of the fat tissue, so that it can be removed by a special cannula. During the liposuction the water is continually added and almost immediately aspirated via the same cannula. WAL requires less infiltration solution and much less intraoperative swelling. This allows the surgeon to better realize the target result. The cannula movements are very subtle, helped by the water beam. This is a new technique that there is not much published yet in the medical literature.
StitchesTo stitch or not to stitch; that is the surgeon's decision. Since the incisions are small, and since the amount of fluid that must drain out is large:
In either case, while the fluid is draining, dressings need to be changed often. After one to three days, small self-adhesive bandages are sufficient. PreparationBefore receiving any of the procedures described above:
The procedureIn all liposuction methods, there are certain things that should be done when having the procedure:
RecoveryDepending on the extent of the liposuction, patients are generally able to return to work or school between two days and two weeks. A compression garment or bandage is worn for two to four weeks. If non-absorbable sutures are placed, they will be removed after five to ten days.
Expediting recoveryThe patient should:
The suctioned fat cells are permanently gone. However, if the patient does not diet and exercise properly, the remaining fat cell neighbors could still enlarge, creating irregularities. Side effectsA side effect, as opposed to a complication, is medically minor, although it can be uncomfortable, annoying, and even painful.
There could be various factors limiting movement for a short while, such as:
The surgeon should advise on how soon the patient can resume normal activity. Possible complicationsAs with any surgery, there are certain risks, beyond the temporary and minor side effects. The surgeon may mention them during a consultation. Careful patient selection minimizes their occurrence. Their likelihood is somewhat increased when treated areas are very large or numerous and a large amount of fat is removed.[7] During the 1990s there were some deaths as a result of liposuction, as well as alarmingly high rates of complication. By studying more and educating themselves further, surgeons have reduced complication rates. A study published in Dermatologic Surgery (July 2004, pp. 967-978), found that:
The more serious possible complications include:
The cosmetic surgeon should give the participant a written list of symptoms to watch for, along with instructions for post-op self-care. Combined with other proceduresLiposuction and tightening / lifting skinLiposuction is not a good tool for tightening the skin. The removal of quantities of fat from under the skin can leave the skin even more loose. When drooping skin and fat are the issue, then lift such as a Rhytidectomy Facelift, Mastopexy Breast Lift, Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck, or Lower body lift, Thigh Lift, or Buttock Lift are better tools and may include liposuction during surgery to refine the sculpture. SAL in combination with other surgery is common, but may have higher complication rates. When done simultaneously, SAL is done minimally in the areas of the undermined tissues to minimize further insult to the blood supply. ReferencesSee also
Categories: Medical treatments | Plastic surgery | Surgical procedures | Medical ultrasound |
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Liposuction". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |