How is liposuction performed?
Your surgery will be performed at one of our three surgery centers. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure and various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood. Fat is removed by first inserting a small, hollow tube, called a cannula, through one or more tiny incisions near the area to be suctioned. Incisions are usually less than one-quarter inch in length and are placed as inconspicuously as possible, often within skin folds or contour lines. The cannula is connected by tubing to a vacuum pressure unit. The suction device literally vacuums away the unwanted fat. When the surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. There may be some discomfort, but this can be controlled by medication which you may continue taking at home. A compressive dressing such as an elasticized bandage or specially designed garment may have
In liposuction, small incisions are made and a metal tube called a cannula is inserted. This cannula is passed back and forth to break up deposits of fat, which are then suctioned out through the cannula. Sometimes a tumescent technique is used, in which a solution of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine are injected into the target area. The solution engorges the tissues to create a firmer working area and the fat cells and solution are suctioned out. Epinephrine reduces bleeding during the procedure. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) involves the use of a special cannula or pads or paddles that emit ultrasound waves. These ultrasonic waves excite the fat cells and liquefy the fat, allowing it to be removed with suction. Unfortunately, there is the risk of burns using the UAL technique. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) uses a vibrating cannula to help power through the fat deposits and break them up. In each of these techniques, the loosened or liquefied fat is suctioned out. Suture
We perform liposuction surgery using the tumescent technique with local anesthesia alone. In the late 70s to early 80s we used general anesthesia. Then, injections of hypotonic saline solution (a diluted salt solution) were administered locally and this alone seemed to control bleeding. As the procedure grew in popularity in the United States, we became more adept in using local injections of anesthesia along with general anesthesia finally progressing to using local anesthesia alone. The use of local anesthesia alone has actually made liposuction surgery much safer because there are none of the side effects or problems associated with general or intravenous anesthesia. You will not feel pain during the procedure and will feel quite well post-operatively.
Liposuction is performed by first administering an anesthetic to numb the area or put the patient to sleep. Normally, liposuction is an out patient surgery but some cases may require an overnight stay. Incisions are made in the areas that the fat will be removed with an instrument called a cannula. The cannula is inserted into the incisions and a suction will remove the fat as the surgeon moves the instrument back and forth. Incisions are then stitched up in a manner to best conceal the scars, which will eventually fade.
