Liposuction
Liposuction is a modern surgical procedure that allows body contouring by removing the excess fat tissue. Fat is removed by vacuum suction.
About liposuction procedure:
In the course of surgery a surgeon makes several small (5 mm) incisions. Metal cannulas are inserted beneath the skin through these incisions. The incisions are made in natural body creases or at sites usually covered by underwear. Thus, small scars will be concealed.
A tube is connected to a fat suction machine. A surgeon moves the tube back and forth to loosen as many large fat deposits as possible. At the end of the liposuction procedure the incisions are closed with cosmetic stitches.
Preparation to liposuction surgery:
Prior to the liposuction procedure a patient should undergo clinical examination. Blood and urine tests, electrocardiography, chest X-ray examination are undertaken. Blood is also tested for such infectious diseases as hepatitis, syphilis, AIDS. The blood sugar level, clotting ability and Rh factor are determined.
It is very important to drop your bad habits (smoking, consuming alcohol, overeating, etc.) 2 weeks before the procedure. Smoking is also prohibited for 3 weeks following the procedure. This is because smoking constricts blood circulation through blood vessels in the skin. In turn, it impedes wounds healing.
Additional consultations with an endocrinologist, dietitian, general practitioner and anesthesiologist are held. It is important to identify serious contraindications to the liposuction procedure and possible allergic reactions to anesthesia. If any medicines, especially anticoagulants, are taken a patient must stop taking them for the period of the procedure and recovery.
Liposuction is contraindicated to the persons suffering from severe somatic diseases, obesity of endocrine nature, and persons whose skin has lost elasticity completely.
Eating and drinking must be stopped several hours before liposuction; a patient’s intestines should be purged and the urinary bladder should be emptied.
Surgery/procedure duration: 1-2 hours and more
Anesthesia: general anesthesia
Postoperative period:
After liposuction a patient stays at the clinic for 1 to 3 days. If no complications are observed within this period a patient is discharged from the clinic. Nevertheless, a patient can resume his or her social activity not earlier than in 10 days.
Swelling and bruising can be experienced in the first days after the procedure. They will subsequently subside without any additional treatment. To avoid skin sagging a patient must wear special compression garments. A surgeon removes sutures in a week.
A patient should stick to a low-sodium diet for two weeks after surgery. It is advised to avoid taking medicines affecting the blood clotting ability. Within a month after the procedure it is prohibited to visit gym, solarium or sauna.
The final result of liposuction becomes visible not earlier than in 3 to 6 months after the procedure. By that time all scars will heal, swelling and bruising will subside, skin will become smooth and possible lumps will disappear.
