The Classical Liposuction procedure

The liposuction procedure includes the following steps:

Step 1 –Anesthesia

Medications are administered during liposuction for the comfort of the patient. Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, as suggested by the surgeon depending upon the number of areas to be treated and patient general condition.

With the technical advances in performing liposuction, small area liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia. This allows the patient to return home on the same day of the procedure.

With this, the patient can carry on normal day-to-day activities with the appropriate medical authorization after 24 hours of the procedure. However, sports or any heavy physical activities must be avoided.

Step 2 – The Procedure

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions in a hidden place near the area to be treated. Tumescent anesthesia is administered through these incisions to constrict the blood vessels which reduces bleeding and anesthetize the area to be treated. A pencil sized, hollow tube known as cannula is then inserted through these incisions. This cannula is connected to a suction apparatus. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the fat. This loosened fat is then suctioned out of the body utilizing a surgical vacuum or syringe connected to the cannula. A board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience will suction out the fat from the “storage” area and not from the metabolic area.

This entire procedure to suctioning out the excess fat is approximately 25 minutes in duration for each area.

Post the suction procedure, the incisions are sutured and dressing is put in place immediately to compress the suctioned area. Antibiotics therapy is prescribed for 48 hours post operation.

Step 3 – The results

Your improved body shape and contours will be more evident and apparent once the swelling and fluid retention subsides. Patients should begin to see contour changes by 2 weeks and at 6 weeks, be able to appreciate significant changes in their shape. The final aesthetic result can be seen 3–6 months after surgery, depending on the patient.