
Liposuction New Zealand | Cosmetic Surgery New Zealand
by Howard W. Klein
How a person feels about themselves is reflected in hundreds of
different ways each day.
Interactions with friends,family and workmates are all profoundly
influenced by our sense of self and self confidence. The most important
and gratifying result of cosmetic surgery is not the surgery itself,but
how the change affects the way we feel about ourselves.
Liposuction in cosmetic dermatology
Liposuction is fast becoming one of the most commonly performed cosmetic
procedures in the western world today. There are basically two
methods by which liposuction can be performed, traditional liposuction
by general anaesthesia and liposuction by the tumescent technique.
Tumescent liposuction was first used in 1987 by a Californian dermatologist
and continues to be the main liposuction technique used by dermatologists
today.
Liposuction
Suction-assisted lipectomy -also
known as liposuction, fat suction, or suction lipectomy-is a technique
to remove unwanted fat deposits from specific areas of the body,
including the chin, neck, and cheeks; the upper arms and above
the breasts; the abdomen, buttocks, hips, and thighs; and the knees,
calves, and ankles. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight
reduction, but a method of removing localized fat that doesn't
respond to dieting and exercise.
If you're considering liposuction, this brochure will give you a
basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed,
and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions,
since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please
ask Mr. Klein about anything you don't understand.
The Best Candidates for Liposuction
Liposuction can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence,
but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or
cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to
have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with Mr. Klein.
The best candidates for liposuction are of relatively
normal weight but have pockets of excess fat in particular areas.
You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic
in your expectations. Most important, having firm, elastic skin will
result in a better final contour (Hanging skin won't reshape to your
body's new contours, and may require an additional procedure to surgically
remove the excess skin. This procedure will leave visible scars.)
Suction lipectomy is not recommended if you've had
recent surgery on the spot to be sculpted, if you have poor blood
circulation in that area, or if you have heart or lung disease. You
should also understand that liposuction by itself will not improve
the dimpled skin known as cellulite, though some plastic surgeons
offer other techniques that may improve this condition.
Women may have liposuction performed under the chin,
on their hips, thighs, and stomach, and in the under arm and breast
area
All surgery carries some uncertainty and
risk
Suction-assisted lipectomy is normally safe, as
long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is
properly equipped, and the physician is adequately trained in body
contouring as well as general surgery.
Nevertheless, in rare instances, the procedure may
cause severe trauma, particularly when multiple or very extensive
areas are suctioned at one time. Other infrequent, but possible,
complications include fluid accumulation (which must be drained) and
injury to the skin. Although serious complications are infrequent,
infection or excessive fluid loss can lead to severe illness. You
can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon who
has been granted privileges to perform liposuction at an accredited
hospital, and by closely following his or her advice.
The scars from liposuction are small and strategically
placed to be hidden from view, even in a bikini. However, other cosmetic
problems may occur. They may include rippling or bagginess of the
skin over the treated area, and pigmentation changes (such as
brown spots) that may become permanent if exposed to the sun.
Asymmetry (uneven contour or shape) sometimes requires a
second procedure.
Planning your Liposuction Surgery
In your initial consultation, Mr. Klein will evaluate
your health, determine where your fat deposits lie, and carefully
assess your skin tone. Mr. Klein will explain any alternative body-contouring
methods that may be appropriate-such as abdominoplasty, or tummy
tuck and discuss the options or the combination of procedures that
would be best for you.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with Mr.
Klein. He should be equally frank with you, describing the procedure
in detail and explaining its risks and limitations. He should also
explain the anesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the
surgery will be performed, and the costs involved.
During this consultation, be sure to tell him about
any large weight losses or gains you've had at any time. You should
also inform him if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications,
vitamins, or other drugs.
Don't hesitate to ask Mr. Klein any questions you
may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns
about the results.
Preparing for your surgery
If you're having extensive liposuction, discuss
the possibility of having blood drawn ahead of time with Mr. Klein.
Your own blood can be used to help replace the blood and other fluids
you'll lose during surgery if he feels this is necessary.
Mr. Klein will give you specific instructions on
how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking,
smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and certain
medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially
a skin infection, your procedure will have to be postponed. While
you're making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive
you home after your surgery and, if needed, to help you out for a
day or two.
Where your surgery will be performed
Suction-assisted lipectomy may be performed in a
Mr. Klein's office facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.
It's usually done on an outpatient basis, for cost containment and
convenience. Extensive procedures may require a hospital stay of
two or three days.
Types of anesthesia
If your procedure is not too extensive-that is,
the amount of fat and fluid removed does not exceed an amount Mr.
Klein will define based on your health, body size, and surgical procedure-liposuction
can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area, combined
with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake but relaxed,
and will feel minimal discomfort. Some surgeons may instead use an
epidural block, similar to the anesthesia used in childbirth.
If Mr. Klein plans to suction a large area, or to
treat several sites, you'll probably have general anesthesia. In
that case, you'll sleep through the operation.
The Liposuction Surgical
Procedure
Suction-assisted lipectomy usually takes an hour
or two, but the time required may vary considerably from thirty minutes
to several hours, depending on the area and amount being suctioned.
To begin the procedure, Mr. Klein makes a small
incision, just large enough to allow the insertion of a hollow tube
called a cannula. The opposite end of the cannula is attached to
a machine that creates a strong vacuum. The surgeon manipulates the
cannula deep within the fat layers under the skin, breaking up the
fat and suctioning it out. Sometimes additional incisions are needed
to remove all areas of fat.
If you've had local anesthesia, you'll feel some
vibration and friction during the procedure. You may also feel a
stinging sensation as the cannula moves closer to the muscle.
You'll lose fluid along with the fat during liposuction,
and it's crucial that this fluid be replaced to keep your body from
going into shock. You'll be given fluids intravenously, and if needed
you may also receive a blood transfusion (usually the blood you've
donated in advance).
After Your Liposuction Surgery
After surgery, a drainage tube may be inserted beneath
your skin for one to three days to remove any fluid buildup that
occurs. A snug elastic dressing, girdle, or body stocking must be
worn over the treated area to control swelling and bleeding, and
to help your skin shrink to fit your new contour. You may need to
wear this garment continuously for two to three weeks, then just
in the daytime for a few weeks more, depending on Mr. Klein's instructions.
He may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
Don't expect to look or feel great right after surgery.
You'll even be heavier for a while, because of the extra fluids you've
been given. The suctioned areas will be swollen and bruised, and
you may feel a burning sensation. The pain can be controlled with
medications prescribed by Mr. Klein, though you may still feel stiff
and sore for a few days. You may temporarily lose all feeling in
the suctioned area; don't worry, it will return.
It's not unusual to feel depressed in the days or
weeks following surgery. Try to keep in mind that this is normal
and will subside as you begin to look and feel better.
Getting back to normal after your Liposuction
Surgery
Healing is a gradual process. Mr. Klein will
probably tell you to start walking around as soon as possible (to
help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs), but to avoid
more strenuous activity for two to four weeks. Any stitches will
be removed in five to ten days or dissolve, and you should be back
at work in 2 - 3 days, or as much as two weeks after your surgery.
When you resume activity depends on the extent of your procedure,
how you feel and what Mr. Klein recommends.
While most of the swelling and discoloration will
be gone a month or two after surgery, some swelling can remain for
six months or more. Mr. Klein will schedule follow-up visits to monitor
your progress and to see if any additional procedures are needed.
If you have any unusual symptoms between visits-for
example, heavy bleeding or a sudden increase in pain- or any questions
about what you can and can't do, don't hesitate to call Mr. Klein.
Your new look
Suction-assisted lipectomy is a highly effective
technique for giving you a new body contour with very little scarring.
The results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise
regularly. If you do gain weight, you'll probably gain it more
uniformly throughout your body, not just in the former "bulges."
Most patients are very satisfied with the results
of their liposuction-they feel more comfortable in a wide variety
of clothes, and more at ease with their bodies. As long as your expectations
are realistic, you should be happy with your new shape.
Liposuction
Pre & Post Operative Photos
South Island Plastic Surgery Ltd
26 Innes Rd,
Merivale,
Christchurch, 8005
New Zealand
Free Ph 0800 6476825
ph +64 3 3551499 |
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Liposuction New Zealand | Cosmetic Surgery New Zealand
by Howard W. Klein
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