LIPOSUCTION,
IS THIS A SUBSTITUTE FOR DIET?!
History:
Since
its introduction into the United States in 1982, liposuction surgery
has rapidly become the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical
procedure. An effective means of fat transplantation and autologous
collagen preparation have emerged as well from liposuction technology.
The technology was first developed by Italian Physicians, the
Fischers, in the early 1970s. They developed an instrument, a
cannula, to remove fat cells that were suctioned out by the use
of a mechanical pump. Later on, Fournier, a French physician,
refined this technique, and invented the method of syringe liposuction
as an alternative to suction pumps.
In the early days, patients were required to undergo general anesthesia
for the liposuction surgery, however, in 1987, Klein, an American
physician, introduced a new technique, “tumescent”
whereby only local anesthesia is required for liposuction surgery.
In this technique, patients are able to walk immediately after
surgery and have a more rapid recovery. Thus, the liposuction
surgery evolved into an elegant and safe cosmetic surgery.
Currently, most plastic surgeons still use the general anesthesia
approach, however, most dermatologist prefer the local, much safer
anesthesia.
Why
the need for liposuction?
Many
people are plagued with the problem of excessive fat accumulation
in unattractive areas. In women, the fat deposits occur most commonly
form the waist down, on hips, buttocks, outer thighs (“saddlebags”),
and lower abdomen. Men usually accumulate fat above the waist,
on the abdomen, and around the waist (“live handles”).
The fat stored in these areas are notoriously stubborn, they are
resistant to removal by dieting or by a vigorous exercise program.
Additionally, hereditary predispositions to storing fat in these
specific areas are difficult to overcome.
It
is interesting to note that recent research has shown that obesity
in the male with the typical distribution pattern described above,
is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hardening
of the arteries, and diabetes.
Liposuction
surgery allows both men and women to improve the contours of their
body through this relatively safe and simple technique. Although
this is not a procedure to correct general obesity, it can be
used in areas such as the chin, neck, jowls.
Generally,
it does not improve the appearance of cellulite (dimpled appearance).
It
does nothing to improve muscle tone.
It
cannot make a perfect body contour, but rather, liposuction can
offer excellent improvement of existing contours.
Where
is the surgery performed?
Nowadays,
liposuction is easily performed in the comfort of the dermatologist
office. Patient may require some preoperative blood tests. Premedication
is often employed to help relax the patient prior to the procedure.
What
are the common complications of liposuction?
Just
like any surgical procedure, liposuction carries the risk of complications.
The most common complications are not serious and generally resolve
on their own; they include, bruising, swelling, persistent swelling,
tenderness, fatigue, numbness, and small redness at the incision
sites. Dents or waviness over the treated areas are seen frequently,
but they often spontaneously resolve. Infection,collection of
blood or serum are other very rare complications.
To
reiterate, there are always certain inherent risks with every
surgical procedure which should be discussed with the physician.
Patients can minimize complications by carefully following the
physician’s directions and recommendations.
In
summary, liposuction surgery while not a cure for general obesity,
is an excellent technique to remove unsightly localized fat accumulation.
Furthermore, the recent use of syringe liposuction instead of
the suction pump, and the replacement of general anesthesia by
local anesthesia has made this procedure much more refined and
much more safer than ever before.
