Commonly known as ‘Lipo,’ ‘Lipoplasty,’ or ‘Body Contouring’, Liposuction is classified as a type of plastic surgery for removing localised fat from different parts of the body. However, lipo is not explicitly designed for weight-loss; instead, it is intended only to remove excess fat that does not reduce with diet and exercise. This type of fat usually accumulates over parts such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. This procedure is generally performed by a plastic or dermatologic surgeon with the help of a cannula, i.e. a hollow tube and an aspirator-like suction device.
However, the most advanced fat removal technique available today is the Ultrasound-based VASERLipo Treatment.
There are four different methods for performing liposuction surgery:
Suction Assisted Lipoplasty (Tumescent Liposuction)
Tumescent Liposuction is the traditional way of extracting fat from a specific region of the body.
Here, the surgeon first injects a sterile solution comprising of salt-water, lidocaine and epinephrine into the target region. This solution reacts with the underlying fat and makes it easier to suck it out with minimal pain and blood loss.
Sometimes, adrenaline is also added to the solution for preventing excessive bleeding.
Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
In this technique, an electrically powered device that oscillates in a piston-cylinder type cannula is used to suck out the excess fat.
As compared to the suction-assisted technique, PAL allows the surgeon to work flexibly and also results in a higher amount of fat removal in less time.
This method is typically used to remove fat from difficult, secondary and scarred areas, or for removing a large amount of fat for transplants.
VASER Liposuction Treatment
VASER Liposuction is the most evolved and latest technology for removing localized fat and achieving perfectly contoured body curves. It is much different than the traditional liposuction methods and is proving to be one of the most effective fat removal treatments today.
Read More About VASER Lipo Treatment
Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL)
This technique uses a high-intensity laser beam to emulsify the localised fat from under the skin.
The surgeon inserts a fibre through an incision and shoots a laser beam that directly breaks down the fat deposits.
The emulsified fat is then sucked out through a cannula.
Consult Dr Sanghvi for Liposuction Surgery in Pune.
As you gain more weight, the size of the fat cells keeps growing. And as the number of fat cells also grows, they start to accumulate around specific areas and create a thick layer which almost doesn’t melt even by exercising. It may lead to a condition called lipodystrophy. In some cases, this condition can be genetic, and hence, uncontrollable.
Liposuction is generally performed to reduce such localised fat deposits from a body part without causing any significant reduction or change in the overall body weight.
Liposuction is also performed as a secondary surgery to other cosmetic surgeries such as facelifts, breast reductions and tummy tucks, to improve their overall results.
Although it is a surgery to remove excess fat, it works expectedly only on people already in better shape and have stable body weight. Ideally, you are assumed to be a good candidate if your weight is not more than 30 % of your ideal weight.
Also, since Liposuction doesn’t alter any aspects of the skin, the results are better in people who have healthy, well-toned, and flexible skin which can mould its shape according to the new contour.
It has been observed that nonsmokers and nonalcoholics gain better results from this surgery than those who smoke.
You may not be approved to have this surgery if you’re suffering from conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, or if you have a weak immune system.
Liposuction is usually performed under local or regional anaesthesia. However, depending on the procedure, general anaesthesia may also be used.
First, the surgeon marks circles and lines as boundaries over the target areas of your body. The surgeon will make incisions over the target region and carefully insert a surgical cannula through it.
Now, with the help of any of the liposuction methods, the underlying fat will be broken down to a point where it liquifies.
The surgeon will then take a ‘negative pressure’ suction pump. This pump creates a vacuum within the tube, causing the liquified fat to be sucked upwards and removed through an outlet.
Once the desired amount of fat is removed, the cannula is removed, and the incision is closed with sutures. Consult Dr Sanghvi for Liposuction Surgery in Pune.
You will have to wait a few days before returning to your daily routine. You’ll have to wear compression garments over the treated area for some time. The fat cells are removed permanently, and the treated area will appear less bulky and leaner in a few months. Despite this fact, the overall body weight will return to its level before treatment after a few months.
The longevity of results from Liposuction highly depends on your body weight. Hence, the results will last as long as you stay fit and not put on excess weight.If your skin is weak and lacks elasticity, chances are the treated area will appear a bit saggy.
M.B.B.S., MS. Mch. FAIS Dr. Suresh Sanghvi is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon who has specialized for 30+ years in plastic, cosmetic surgery, and laser treatments.
M.B.B.S. DCP Dr. Shobha Sanghvi is a cosmetologist and a specialist in laser and cosmetic treatments. A graduate of the Government Medical College, Surat, and a post-graduate from NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad.
M.B.B.S., MS. Mch. FAIS Dr. Suresh Sanghvi is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon who has specialized for 30+ years in plastic, cosmetic surgery, and laser treatments.
M.B.B.S. DCP Dr. Shobha Sanghvi is a cosmetologist and a specialist in laser and cosmetic treatments. A graduate of the Government Medical College, Surat, and a post-graduate from NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad.
