Liposuction
Liposuction can be a great procedure if you are of normal weight but with bulges in specific areas which persist after diet and exercise.
Areas commonly treated are the upper arms, thighs and buttocks.
Liposuction is also often used in conjunction with other procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast reduction.
Surgery for Liposuction
The procedure removes the unwanted lumps, bulges and areas of fat using thin suction tubes that are placed into the body fat through small incisions.
Dr Nicklin uses the tumescent liposuction technique which significantly reduces blood loss from the procedure.
After injecting anaesthetic fluid into the treatment area, a metal suction tube attached to a strong vacuum is inserted which sucks out the fatty deposits from the body.
Your Hospital Stay
Liposuction is usually performed as day surgery under general anaesthesia.
Your Recovery
Post-surgery dressings are usually kept intact for 1-2 weeks and strenuous activity is restricted in this time when bruising and swelling are likely to occur.
A return to all normal activities is expected by 6 weeks. A post-op pressure garment is worn for 2- 3 months to decrease swelling and encourage the skin to contract to the new shape.
Risks of Liposuction Surgery
Key risks specific to Liposuction surgery are:
Bruising and swelling
Infection
Scarring
Slight irregularities such as grooving under the skin
Additional general risks inherent in undergoing surgery and anaesthesia are explained at the time of consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Liposuction can improve your overall body appearance by reducing and re-contouring localised collections of fat.
Surgical lipectomy, which involves removal of excess skin, as well as fat, may be advised instead of, or in addition to suction lipectomy.
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Liposuction is ideal for patients who have bulges which persist after diet and exercise. It is not a substitute for weight loss.
Usually, the overlying skin will contract following liposuction, however, in some circumstances, a further procedure to remove excess skin may also be required.
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Patients are advised that scars are the inevitable result of any surgery. However, because the incisions with liposuction are small at usually around 1 cm, the scars are not usually significant.
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At your consultation, time is spent counselling all patients to make sure they understand that liposuction can be a major surgical procedure often taking many hours to perform, is not an effective weight-loss technique and does not reduce stretch marks or improve the appearance of cellulite.
Glossary of Medical Terms
Liposuction
Insertion of thin hollow suction tubes through several small incisions and moving back and forth of the tubes in a controlled motion to loosen excess fat which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction
Suction-assisted lipectomy
Another word for liposuction
Surgical lipectomy
The removal of excess skin and fat by excision
Cannulae
Thin hollow suction tubes
RANDWICK PLASTIC SURGERY