insideKENT Magazine Issue 22 - January 2014 | Page 82

HEALTH+WELLNESS

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM

Liposuction…
MISS NORA NUGENT CONSULTANT PLASTIC/COSMETIC
SURGEON AT NUFFIELD HEALTH TUNBRIDGE WELLS HOSPITAL
DISCUSSES THE FACTS ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR
COSMETIC PROCEDURES.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction, also known as suction assisted
lipectomy or liposculpturing, is a surgical technique
to remove unwanted areas of fat from the body
by suctioning the fat cells away.
What parts of the body can have
liposuction?
Liposuction can be used in several areas of body.
It is most commonly used in the abdomen
(tummy), hips and thighs but can also be used
in some cases in the arms, breasts, ankles and
neck.
Who can have liposuction?
Liposuction is best used as a technique to r move
e
stubborn areas of fat that do not go away with
diet and exercise. Liposuction can very effectively
remove fat and recontour these areas. It can also
be used to remove fatty deposits under male
breasts (gynaecomastia), to remove some lipomas
(benign fatty tumours) and to reshape or sculpt
breast reconstructions. Liposuction should NOT
be seen as a way to lose weight. It may be
combined with other procedures such as
abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or breast reduction
to give a more refined result of these procedures.
It will not remove cellulite. If skin is very loose or
inelastic as is sometimes the case, it will not
‘snap back’ after liposuction. A procedure to
remove the excess skin such as a miniabdominoplasty may be needed in this instance.
How is it done?
Liposuction can be performed under general
anaesthetic (with you asleep) or local anaesthetic
(with you awake) depending on the extent of
surgery planned. A narrow metal tube (suction
cannula) attached to a suction pump is inserted
through a very small skin incision and used to
remove the unwanted fat by moving it through
the area to be treated under the skin. Most
surgeons inject a local anaesthetic and adrenaline
solution beforehand to help reduce pain and
bleeding. Sometimes ultrasound is used to help
with the liposuction.
What should you expect afterwards?
You will have bruising and swelling in the treated
area afterwards. Most of this will go in the next
four to six weeks but swelling can persist for up

to six months especially in areas such as the
ankles. You will have small scars in the areas the
suction cannulae have been inserted and you
often have some temporary numbness of the
overlying skin. Some fluid may ooze from these
areas in the beginning. Your surgeon will often
advise that you wear a support garment over the
treated area for four to six weeks postoperatively.
Will you lose weight after liposuction?
Generally you will not lose any significant amounts
of weight as if the liposuction is performed safely
the surgeon will limit the amount of fat and fluid
removed. Usually this is limited to about three
litres or less.

How long will it last?
Once the fat cells are removed, the body will not
replace them. The change to your body contour
should therefore last. However if you have
significant changes to your weight, then changes
to body contour may occur. Liposuction is best
performed when you are at a stable weight. The
natural aging process of the body also continues
regardless of surgery and so may over time alter
your body shape.

How long is the recovery