Cosmetic Services

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Liposuction - Introduction

Liposuction is a process by which fat is permanently removed through a suctioning process. It is not a substitute for weight loss but, rather, a method of reshaping the body's contours.

About liposuction
As we advance in life, the body tends to remap the areas where it deposits most of the excess fatty tissue. The flanks, lower abdomen and thighs become common targets in women; the abdomen flanks and chest in men. Unfortunately, losing sufficient weight to clear fullness in these areas commonly leads to excessive volume loss in the face, giving it a tired expression. In some people, even at a young age, there are stubborn fatty tissue deposits, mostly around the thighs, which seem to be genetic.

Liposuction is the removal of fat from deposits beneath the skin using a hollow stainless steel tube called a cannula and a powerful vacuum. A procedure chosen by both men and women, it is not a method of weight reduction. Rather, it is a way to remove stubborn fatty deposits that remain despite dieting, exercise or massage.

In the early days of liposuction, the procedure involved using relatively large cannulae and was associated with extensive bruising and a higher risk of irregularities. Today, liposuction uses much finer cannulae that cause less trauma to the tissues and allow fat to be removed in a much more controlled manner. These finer cannulae can be used closer to the skin surface to provide a superior result.

An earlier approach, call Dry Technique Liposuction is no longer considered safe. Today, the world-wide standard of care is the Tumescent Technique.

In tumescent liposuction the area to be treated is injected with a buffered salt solution before any fat is removed. This solution contains adrenaline to control bleeding and a long-acting local anaesthetic to minimize discomfort after the procedure.

A more recent addition to the armamentarium of body sculpting surgery, is the impressive LipoSelection technology termed VASER®. Based on an ultrasonic-assisted system, it allows for a carefully controlled and gentle surgical process to dissolve areas of fatty tissue deposition and can be used just as safely around the face, neck, body and limbs. The benefits of the technique include reduced bruising and swelling postoperatively, faster recovery and a smoother surface even after more intense contouring. Because of its ability to reduce irregularities, the process has been reliably used in abdominal etching has also given rise to the concept of high-definition liposuction.