Liposuction

Liposuction is the aesthetic procedure done to model certain areas that exhibit adipose tissue. Most often these areas are the hardest to tackle in diets, or that we inherit. Liposuction should not be regarded as a treatment for obesity! After this surgical procedure you must follow a balanced diet, sometimes determined by a nutritionist.

The operation can be performed at the level of the abdomen, flanks (“love handles”), thighs, buttocks, arms, knees, double chin, etc. Liposuction can be performed with other other aesthetic procedures such as abdominoplasty, facial lift, midface lift, brachioplasty, thigh lift, breast reduction or even laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Liposuction risks and complications

  • Bruising;
  • Changes in skin sensitivity;
  • Damage to deep structures;
  • Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary and cardiac complications;
  • Seroma (pooling of serum in areas where tissue has been removed);
  • Infection;
  • Asymmetries in the area undergoing treatment;
  • Persistent edema;
  • Excessive skin, forming folds;
  • Worsening of the “orange peel” aspect.

The surgical plan is established following a detailed evaluation of:

  • Your existing health problems
  • Your expectations
  • Body dimensions
  • Test required for surgery (blood tests, abdominal ultrasound – to highlight any weakness of the muscle wall or hernia, electrocardiogram, as well as other tests specific to any existing conditions you might have)

Preoperative recommendations:

  • Take an approximately one (1) week leave, which is the minimum time required for postoperative recovery.
  • Stop smoking for at least two (2) weeks before surgery, to improve your healing process. In the case of an abdominoplasty, smoking is completely forbidden.
  • If you are taking contraceptives, stop and use other contraceptive methods until after the intervention. This is necessary to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Please consult the gynecologist who prescribed your contraceptives before you stop taking them.
  • Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories at least 7-10 days before surgery. These drugs can cause bleeding during and after surgery. If you take other natural supplements, you should mention them, as these may also cause bleeding.
  • The day before surgery, take 3 granules of Arnica CH200 and continue taking them for another 2 weeks pos-surgery (3 granules / day).
  • The night before surgery, take a shower (body + hair) and rest well.
  • Do not eat or drink after midnight. If the procedure is scheduled in the afternoon, avoid any food and liquids at least 8 hours before the srugery.
  • Make sure to arrive at the clinic wearing light, comfortable clothes that can be easily put on after surgery.
  • Make sure you have someone to drive you from the clinic when you are discharged.

How is the surgery performed?

  • When you arrive at the clinic you will be taken to your room where you will read and sign the consent forms for the procedure. After your markings are done, you will be accompanied to the operating room, where you will be transferred to your surgical team and prepared for the effective procedure (mounting a bran as an access route for administering medicinal substances, installing self-adhesive electrodes to monitor vital intraoperative functions, fitting of a cuff to monitor blood pressure, pulse oximeter, compressive stockings in function depending on the area that’s subject to the intervention, etc.).
  • The surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia, except when liposuction is performed on very limited areas, only at the patient’s explicit request
  • The surgeon will make small incisions of approximately 1 cm in the areas where the adipose tissue is to be removed. The cannulas necessary for fat extraction are introduced through these incisions.
  • Once anesthetics take effect, a tumescent fluid will be introduced to the areas subject to the intervention to facilitate the suction of the adipose tissue.
  • The suction of fat and fluids from the abdominal wall is done methodically, by means of two-way movements.
  • At the end of the surgery, the incisions are sutured with non-absorbable threads, and you will be moved to a room where you’ll receive post-operative care and will be carefully monitored. In the case of liposuction procedures on very limited body areas, you can leave the clinic immediately after the intervention.
  • (At the bottom of the page you can find a video presentation of this procedure)

 

Postoperative recommendations:

  • After your procedure you will be slightly confused, which is why you must avoid making any important decision, or signing any documents.
  • The post-operative diet will be restricted (no foods that can cause nausea / vomiting, bloating or any digestive discomfort) – start by drinking liquids / eating soups and progressively switch to solid foods (yogurt, diet cheese, boiled vegetables, boiled meat / barbecue etc.).
  • You take your medications as prescribed: antibiotic, NSAID, gastric protector. Alcohol consumption is prohibited while taking your treatment.
  • Avoid spending too much time in bed, instead try to move around the house during the first postoperative days, until you resume your normal activity;
  • You can take a shower as soon as you get home, but don’t use a sponge / loofa over the sutured incisions.
  • Your sutures will be removed 14 days after the surgery
  • You must avoid any physical exertion (fitness, aerobics, etc.) during the first 6 weeks, which could cause your pulse to spike and consequently increase the risk of bleeding;
  • You will always wear compression garments for the first 3 weeks, but you’ll need to remove them when you shower. Over the next 2 weeks you will wear need to wear them for 12h / day and wearing them at night is mandatory. These compression garments reduce edema, by favoring the resorption of the infiltrated solution and help skin contraction.
  • Pain and bruising are normal after surgery, they are alleviated with the help of pain killers and local usage of special lotions, such as Lioton gel. There are also cases of declivitous ecchymoses, which appear under the areas where the procedure was performed.
  • Edema improves after three to four weeks postoperatively.
  • You will only be able to notice partial results after about three months, and the final result is visible after approximately ten months.
  • In case you show any of this symptoms: fever higher than 38 degrees C, redness that starts from the incision and extends outwardly, purulent or odorous secretions around the incision, pain and intense discomfort that is not improved by anti-inflammatory medication – THIS CLEAR SIGN OF INFECTION AND YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR COSMETIC SURGEON IMMEDIATELY
  • A week after the intervention you should be able to resume your normal schedule.
  • The result is very long lasting, allowing you to maintaing a normal weight during this time. It is important to have a balanced diet – otherwise fat will reappear!
  • Seek counseling from an experienced nutritional expert to help you come up with an effective diet plan.
  • Regular checkups at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year after the surgery and then a once a year (upon request).