Liposuction - removes fat permanently
Liposuction removes stubborn unwanted fat that you have not been able to diminish through diet and exercise. When unwanted fat is removed, it cannot come back to that area, because the fat cells are removed. It is important however, that the patient follows a sensible diet and undertakes regular exercise to protect and enhance the benefits of the procedure. Fatty deposits found mainly in the tummy, abdomen, buttocks, inner and outer thighs, back and under the chin can now be safely and quickly removed with minimal discomfort. Liposulpture is the 'artistic' removal of these fat deposits to create a new shape or bring back the old shape.
Dr.Josef Goldbaum is a cosmetic surgeon based in Melbourne Australia and he describes the tumescent method of liposuction. This method involves the infiltration of areas to be treated with local anesthetic and a vaso-constrictor. The inclusion of local anesthetic makes the procedure virtually pain free and the and the vasoconstrictor limits blood loss. Whilst other doctors place the patient under heavy sedation or general anesthesia during the procedure, Dr. Goldbaum uses only local anesthesia and a light pre-med analgesia.
The benefits of this are many. First and foremost is the patients safety. "The less chemicals one uses the less risk one takes, there are greater risks involved in using a combination of sedatives or hypnotics". Dr. Goldbaum gives the patient an injection of pethidine, followed by tumescent fluid containing xylocaine, adrenaline and bicarbonate infiltrated into the areas to be treated, according to the techniques developed by dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Klein in the USA.
Because the patient is awake during the procedure and constantly on the move the risk of deep-vein thrombosis is reduced. The surgeon is able to operate at the right angles to remove the maximum amount of fat possible and create the best possible new shape. In addition, because the patient is not sedated during the final extraction, the patient can sit up in a vertical position or stand up for final touches. Fat and skin always behave differently when lying or standing.
“When liposuction is performed under a local anaesthetic the patient is able to move around into more positions than possible if a general anaesthetic is used. The multiple positioning of the patient allows the removal of larger amounts of fat, as well more precise body contouring (liposculpture)” says Dr. Goldbaum. Surgical staff monitor patients facial expressions, pulse rate and blood pressure at all times, even though very little can go wrong. Generally the patient will feel fine. Apart from minor discomfort during the infiltration process, it is virtually pain free. Towards the end of the procedure, when extraction gets close to muscles there may be some areas that are "hot spots" where the patient may experience a slightly hot feeling or perhaps some pain, it is not distressing and it can be overcome by infiltrating additional anesthetic.
Photos will be taken immediately before and immediately after allowing you to see the difference. The areas treated can be quite sore for 24 - 48 hours and may require analgesics. Depending on the patients tolerance level, the soreness has been likened to that of a solid gym workout, however, standard over the counter analgesics are usually all that is required.
Occasionally the patients may experience a change in sensation. It may take a month or two to come back, but usually everyone recovers fully. Infection is a possible complication but antibiotics are available to negate that. Recovery using this technique of liposuction is very quick. Depending on the size or number of areas done, patients can go to work the next day providing their work is not overly strenuous or physical.
Those who have had a lot of fat removed from a number of areas may need a couple of days off work. Patients can resume low-level activities immediately, though not all patients will feel like it. Generally, all normal activities can be resumed after 3-4 weeks. “Everyone has their own level of recovery. Everyone recovers at their own pace.“
