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Liposuction

Liposuction, or simply lipo, is a cosmetic surgical procedure which removes excess fat from different parts of the body in order to improve its contour. The safety of its procedure relates not only to the amount fats removed but also the anesthetic choice and to the patient's overall health condition.

326 Questions

Is Liposuction or lipo the same thing?

  1. Basically yes... Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation that helps sculpt the body by removing fat deposits from specific areas like the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, under chin, cheeks and neck. The fat is usually removed through a cannula (a hollow tube) and aspirator (a suction device). Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, but it can remove stubborn areas of fat that do not respond to traditional weight loss methods.

How long to wear garment after lipo?

Some patients wear the garment as much as possible for the first 7 days. After that it is good to purchase a lighter support garment or body shaper from a local department store to be worn during activity for 1 more week. Compression created by the garment is the most important thing after your procedure. Take your garment off only to shower or change the dressing.

Remember, wearing the garment is more important than trying to stay dry so do not attempt too many frequent dressing changes. To change the dressings, simply take off the wet ones and use the sanitary pads or the dressings provided by the nurse and apply over incision sites. Use extra padding in these areas. Chin support garments are worn 24 hours per day for 2 days and then nightly through the next 10 days.

How much money is spent on liposuction each year?

Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular over the years. Almost 9 million people underwent cosmetic surgical procedures in 2003, compared to slightly more than 400,000 in 1992.

About 45% of the cosmetic surgery procedures performed in 2003 were repeats. And 32% of the patients having cosmetic surgery had multiple procedures done at once.

Liposuction was the second most popular cosmetic procedure (nose reshaping is slightly more popular). In 2003, approximately 320,000 people had liposuction procedures. This comprises about 4% of all cosmetic procedures performed. In 1992, only 47,000 had liposuction, about 3% of all cosmetic procedures performed.

Only 10% of liposuction patients in 2003 were men. In 1992, 13% were men. About 68% of women and 58% of men questioned during a phone survey said that they approve of cosmetic surgery. But only 19% of the women and 7% of the men surveyed admitted that they have had or would have cosmetic surgery themselves.

(These statistics are taken from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons� website at www.plasticsurgery.org.)

What is the safest way to liposuction fat?

There are always risks when one chooses to have liposuction surgery. If one is wanting to have fat liposuction the safest way is to choose a very reputable physician or specialist. One should always ask for references in this type of surgery as well.

What are some surgical procedures that aid in body shaping?

There are many surgical procedures that shapes your body the way you've always wanted it to be shaped. If you are overweight and would love to look thin, then liposuction surgery may be for you. Another procedure that will make you look thinner is a tummy tuck. There is also a procedure called cellulite removal that removes any cellulite from your body that is not wanted.

What types of liposuction can be performed?

Tumescent liposuction, the most popular form of the procedure, can be performed on many parts of the male and female body. Abdominal liposuction is most often performed on women. This is an effective replacement for tummy-tucks for most patients. Many women who have an abdominal bulge after child birth or a hysterectomy find that liposuction can improve the look of their stomach. Arms are also a mostly female procedure and produce the highest rates of success. Many women choose to have the flap under the upper arm reduced with liposuction. Included in this area is the fat at the front of the underarm, just above the bra line, and at the back of the underarm as well. Liposuction of the breasts can be performed on both men and women. Women who have very large and mostly fatty breasts may find that they can attain results similar to or better than a traditional breast reduction surgery. Liposuction on breasts that are mostly glandular is not efficient nor is it recommended. Some men have significant fatty deposits in the breast area and see significant results with liposuction. Men suffering from gynecomastia, a condition where there is a large amount of glandular breast tissue, are not good candidates for this procedure. Many women find that the buttocks area contains a great deal of fat and achieve great results with liposuction of this area. The primary goal is to achieve a more rounded look, symmetry, and of course a smaller profile. The lower legs and ankles can be treated with liposuction, however the procedure is more risky because most of this fat is superficial. These areas are more susceptible to nerve and blood vessel damage. Liposuction of the thighs, in many cases, should be done over a series of procedures. Because there is a larger area to cover, the risks of complications increase. Hips, outer thighs and buttocks are usually done at the same time. Anterior thighs and inner thighs should be done at a separate time.

What city has the best liposuction prices?

The average cost is $5700. If you go to Mexico, Brazil, India or the Belgium you can get liposuction real cheap, under $1000. Naples, Florida comes in at $1000. Wherever you choose to go you should consider more than just the price since some of these places get bad reviews for undesirable results.

What is tumescent lipo?

A little background: Tumescent liposuction was invented and developed in 1985. The word "tumescent" means swollen and firm. By injecting a large volume of very dilute lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) into subcutaneous fat, the targeted tissue becomes swollen and firm, or tumescent. Tumescent liposuction uses unprecedented large doses of lidocaine and epinephrine. When general anesthesia is added to the tumescent liposuction technique there are increased complications.

Liposuction surgery is an invasive, non-curative, harmful surgery. The complications from this surgery are not accurately followed. Because the reporting of adverse affects is not mandatory.

The HTAC issued this caution in 2002: "Death and disfigurement due to the cosmetic surgical procedure of liposuction should be a matter for serious public concern."An article in the Anesthesiology News, 2012, is entitled: "As Liposuction Deaths Mount, Study Exposes Cracks in Safety". The article states that, a quarter-century after the nation's plastic surgeons received what amounted to carte blanche to perform liposuction, a new analysis suggests that the procedure is no safer than it was back then.

Even patients who initially feel satisfied with a cosmetic outcome have had their bodies irreversibly changes in ways that will negatively affect their long-term physical and mental health, and their overall well-being. No matter how often it is renamed, or how the medical community spins it, liposuction is unsound. Scientific studies remind us that, regardless of the surgeon, the problem of liposuction has to do with the biology of fat.

Liposuction increases visceral fat, causes long-term fat mobilization, increases insulin resistance, and instigates metabolic syndrome - and all of these affects are so detrimental to one's health.

Liposuction is responsible for a spectrum of harm including:

· Permanent damage to muscles, nerves, underlying organs

· Painful skin adherence which is disabling and limits sitting and mobility

· Disturbing fat regrowth causing unnatural, disfigured appearance

· Possible increased in visceral fat which is linked to slowed metabolism and disease conditions known to shorten life

· Infertility and difficulties with lactation

· Loose sacks of skin that require risky skin excision and fat grafting

· Sunken pockets of divots

· Lack of transparent, clearly-communicated consent

· Problems of exceeded consent

· Financial hardship and even ruin

· Chronic pain, loss of quality of life

· Lidocaine toxicity, third-space swelling, Death

COMPETING DOCTORS INCREASE PUBLIC CONFUSION

A push-pull within sub-groups of the medical profession complicates the issues regarding liposuction / adipose removal: Board certified surgeons fault dermatologists (who don't have hospital privileges) for using local anesthesia and not being plastic surgeons. Dermatologists fault board certified plastic surgeons for performing too much toxic, aggressive surgery at once via general anesthesia. This internal finger pointing implies that the side effects are related to the doctor's training and technique, when in fact, the biology of fat is at fault. Not to be overlooked is also the invasive technique and guesswork that goes into liposuction.

In sum, several competitive groups of doctors who benefit handsomely from the surgery have convinced the public that - contrary to its poor track record and scientific studies proving otherwise - liposuction is safe. Of course, this does not make it so. The idea that doctors (board certified plastic surgeons or not) are above the fray should be earnestly questioned in order to prevent further widespread iatrogenic (medically induced) harm.

Who should you have perform your liposuction?

Anyone who the doctors convince to get these costly procedures including but not limited to women who go in for medically indicated breast reduction, men who go in for gynecomastia, people who get some breast reconstructions after cancer or harvesting fat for stem cell transfer or fat transfers for facelifts, Brazilian Butt lifts, abdominoplasty after pregnancy and weight loss and other reconstructive or cosmetic procedures, including totally fit weight lifters and athletes. There are long-term metabolic, health and contour complications to liposuction or any adipose tissue removal.

How much does it cost to get liposuction done on your arms?

The cost to procure liposuction on one's arms varies from surgeon to surgeon. The average cost ranges from 1500-5000 dollars. The best thing to do is consult a few plastic surgeons in your area to get a general estimate. The following is a website that lists the price ranges for liposuction. http://hubpages.com/hub/Liposuction Cost

Is there anything you can do to get rid of the bruising faster that is caused by liposuction?

Get some typical brown tea (orange pekoe) bags, wet them, and put them on your bruises. Soak your bruises in these. The tannic acid in the tea will help the bruises heal a lot faster. This works for any bruises.

Does health insurance cover liposuction?

Clinical Policy Bulletin:

Abdominoplasty, Suction Lipectomy, and Ventral Hernia Repair

Number: 0211

Policy

  1. Aetna considers panniculectomy/apronectomy medically necessary according to the following criteria:

    1. Panniculus hangs below the level of the pubis; and
    2. The medical records document that the panniculus causes chronic intertrigo (dermatitis occurring on opposed surfaces of the skin, skin irritation, infection or chafing) that consistently recurs over 3 months while receiving appropriate medical therapy (e.g., oral or topical prescription medication), or remains refractory to appropriate medical therapy over a period of 3 months.

    Aetna considers panniculectomy/apronectomy cosmetic when these criteria are not met.

    Aetna considers panniculectomy/apronectomy experimental and investigational for minimizing the risk of hernia formation or recurrence. There is inadequate evidence that pannus contributes to hernia formation. The primary cause of hernia formation is an abdominal wall defect or weakness, not a pulling effect from a large or redundant pannus.

  2. Aetna considers repair of a true incisional or ventral hernia medically necessary.

  3. Aetna considers repair of a diastasis recti, defined as a thinning out of the anterior abdominal wall fascia, not medically necessary because, according to the clinical literature, it does not represent a "true" hernia and is of no clinical significance.
  4. Aetna considers abdominoplasty, suction lipectomy, or lipoabdominoplasty cosmetic.

Background

In order to distinguish a ventral hernia repair from a purely cosmetic abdominoplasty, Aetna requires documentation of the size of the hernia, whether the ventral hernia is reducible, whether the hernia is accompanied by pain or other symptoms, the extent of diastasis (separation) of rectus abdominus muscles, whether there is a defect (as opposed to mere thinning) of the abdominal fascia, and office notes indicating the presence and size of the fascial defect.

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can improve cosmesis by reducing the protrusion of the abdomen. However, abdominoplasty is considered by Aetna to be cosmetic because it is not associated with functional improvements

Why is there a upper stomach bulge after liposuction?

I've seen liposuction done on TV and it's no wonder you are swelling and in discomfort. When the surgeon has you under anesthetic then they insert tubes that suction out the fat and there is pushing and pulling of those tubes. Your surgeon should have told you what lays ahead of you as far as healing time. Be sure you keep in close contact with your surgeon and if you have any concerns you call that surgeon and make an appointment. It will take a few weeks for the bruising to go away and at least a week to 10 days for the swelling to go down, but be careful of infection. Remember, if you don't feel well, the swelling doesn't go down in those 10 days get to your surgeon immediately and if they can't take you right away go to the ER.

How much does liposuction cost in rupees?

The charges for Coronary Artery Bypass (CABG) Surgery depends upon multiple factors and ranges from Rs. 1,20,000 to Rs. 4,40,000 in Chennai.

What kind of massages are good to get after liposuction?

MESSAGE AND EXERCISE Down-stroking. As soon after surgery as your surgeon gives permission, (usually three to four days), you will want to start massaging your chin and neck area. Gather the skin gently, stroking it with a downward, soothing motion towards your heart. Circular massage. Another easy massaging technique is to stroke the area in which liposuction has been performed with a smooth, circular motion, tracing small circles on your skin with the tips of your fingers. The pattern should be repeated until you have covered the entire area. You can do this massage a number of times a day. Pinch/release. Another massage you can use after liposuction of the face, chin, or neck is to pinch your skin gently and, after a slow count to five, release it. Grasp as much of your skin in the chin/neck area as you can comfortably hold between your thumb and one or two fingers. Full it gently away from your body. Count slowly to five. Release the skin. Then repeat the pinch/release motions in another spot. Your surgeon will tell you how soon after surgery you can begin this massage. in general, in my opinion, a week after liposuction is the appropriate time to start. The pinch/release massage helps to reduce the inflammatory reaction by improving circulation. It stimulates the flow of blood, thereby aiding healing. Gradually increase the time of massage-starting with one or two minutes at a time, and working up to five minutes or so. Do this about 10 times a day. It will help blood circulation and speed the healing process. Do not be afraid to touch the area in which liposuction has been performed. It may be slightly numb at first, or even a bit tingly, like a foot that's gone to sleep, but that sensation will gradually go away. 1. Facial grimaces. Within three or four days after surgery, or as soon as your physician tells you it is all right to do so, begin practicing facial grimaces. In addition to smiling frequently, deliberately distort your facial features by twisting your mouth and jaw into strange contortions. When you first begin, doing these movements in front of a mirror may help you. As you become more confident and less self-conscious about them, you can grimace while you are driving a car, doing household chores, or whenever you have a few moments. These exercises can be done many times a day. The reason for grimacing is that it helps pull up the muscles in the face, chin, and neck area, thereby tightening your skin after liposuction, and helping you to heal faster and more attractively. 2. Neck extension. An easy exercise that will benefit the face, chin, and neck area is to extend your neck. Bring your head down towards your chest. Then, slowly bring it back up again to a normal position. Continue the motion backwards, until you are looking up at the wall or a portion of the ceiling, with your chin pointing up and your head tilted backwards. Next, return to your normal position, and begin again. Do not perform this exercise hurriedly or with a jerky motion. Instead, concentrate on doing it smoothly and gently. You will find it helps avoid undesirable adhesions, and stretches the skin gently, keeping it pliant and supple. 3. Neck rotation. With a smooth, unhurried motion, turn your face and neck from side to side as far as you can go. You are stretching your skin and your underlying tissues. At first, soon after surgery, your range of motion may be somewhat limited; as the healing process continues, and as you practice this exercise, you will gradually be able to move your neck farther in each direction. copyright-dr.leon tcheupdjian/liposuction 1. Front facial view shows key areas of facial musculature. copyright-dr.leon tcheupdjian/liposuction 2. Side facial view shows where key masculine areas appear in profile. copyright-dr.leon tcheupdjian/liposuction 3. The arrow indicates the location from which the liposuction proceeds copyright-dr.leon tcheupdjian/liposuction 4. The cervicomental angle is the area under the chin. 5. With fat removed, the patient's profile has a normal contour.

Can too much fat be removed with liposuction?

The amount that should be removed would be best discussed with your plastic surgeon. Regarding safety, standards have been set that no more than 5 L (approximately 10 lbs), of fat should be removed in one setting in outpatient surgery. For many plastic surgeons this is there maximum in any setting.

How much does liposuction to tummy cost?

The cost will vary depending on the specifics of your case and the area of the country the procedure is being performed in. Some clinics offer finacing options. including an interest free option.

Is liposuction safe?

  • No! Absolutely not. Adipose tissue is an important endocrine organ, not a decoration. When you remove, laser or freeze off fat cells, there are long-term negative physiological changes to the body that negatively affect health and contour long-term. Clotting, bleeding, nerve damage are all potential side effects, and the results will not last and the procedures goes against the patient's best interest health wise.

  • Liposuction has more risks and a higher death rate according to some studies but being that the majority of the procedures are pay-out-of-pocket in ambulatory centers, the long-term harm isn't being monitored and is widely under-estimated. There are thousands of desperate reviews online and more popping up all the time.
  • The majority of deaths related to liposuction surgery, happen when the patient has too much fat taken from their body at one time. Fat holds a lot of our water, and by removing too much, the body can be left dehydrated. Also, besides dehydration, the body can only take so much stress, and having large amounts of body fat sucked out, can cause a heart seizure, blood clot or shock.
  • Most of the complications or deaths in the press recently have been attributed to either a severe reaction to anesthesia or extreme blood loss, but there are so many other dangers too.
  • Anyone who is considering an elective procedure should educate themselves on the different procedures available to them and the risks and costs involved. It's difficult to educate oneself about the risks since the propaganda is so widespread because there is a lot of money to be made as a plastic surgeon, and innocent people have their health and contours ruined daily.
  • For starters, you can do searches for 1) "The Belly Finds What The Thighs Lose, " in the New York Times from May, 2011, 2) "Liposuctionruinedmylife dot com," 3) Lipocoaliton on twitter.

How affordable is liposuction?

"The costs associated with liposuction depend on many variables. One must take into account the PreOperative tests, anesthesiology, hospital costs, surgeon fees, and PostOp care. The surgeon's fees might range from $2000 to $9000, depending on variables such as, which areas of your legs are being done, how big you are, and how much time and effort are required of the surgeon."

Should plastic surgery be banned?

Why shouldn't it? :)

Some people would need facial reconstruction, after an accident, for example.

Others, like myself, would need a part of the body repairing after a major operation. I have a tumour on my right hip and will need some form of plastic surgery to have it put right, afterwards.

It's not all nose and boob jobs!

How much can non surgical liposuction cost?

Ultrasonic liposuction usual costs anywhere in the region of $2,000 - $5,000. It is the process of removing the fat from the body, but will vary in cost depending on where on the body the procedure is undertaken.

How long does laser liposuction recovery takes?

You will be active and walking from day one. However I will limit your vigorous exercise and weight lifting or aerobics for ten days.

Your garment will be changed to a light Spanks type garment after three to five days.

When small areas like the chin or a minor tummy procedure are done, some people return to work the next day.

Recovery to a more normal skin appearance can take ten days to two weeks for swelling and bruising, if any, to resolve.

Your skin appearance, skin tightening and result will continue to improve for three to six months as the skin gradually tightens over the areas where fat has been removed. The remarkable thing about the this new technique technique is that the skin is much smoother than after traditional old time suction lipectomy. I believe that the laser dissolving of the fat prior to removal results in a more uniform fat removal.

What is positive about cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is a great confidence booster in most cases. When a perceived physical imperfection is holding someone back, such as sticky out ears or bags underneath the eyes, it can affect things such as personal relationships. In these circumstances cosmetic surgery can be life changing. People in such situations tend to feel they can move on and enjoy life more after surgery, without the embarrassment that this imperfection caused before. After cosmetic surgery many people take a new pride in their appearance and are driven to improve other aspects of their lives as a result of a positive surgery experience

How often can you have liposuction?

This question's answer is complex, but can be answered generally in 2 parts. First, lipo, if done correctly by a trained and properly certified plastic surgeon can be effective if done only once if you maintain your healthy weight and exercise. If enough fat was removed and the result was as you desired, then it was considered effective. If you didn't get the look you wanted, it could still be said to be effective, but simply not meeting your ideals. The plastic surgeon along with you, the patient, determine before surgery what is to be interpreted as the best outcome or an effective result. When the patient's wishes diverge from what is prudent or what is feasible, even if the lipo was done well and produces a cosmetically appealing result, the patient can say that the surgery was not "effective" even though it may have been quite effective. This is a separate argument and doesn�t address effectiveness, but speaks to patient expectations which can be really out of line with what is possible or probable.

The second part of the answer deals is how many times can it be done and be effective, using the definition of �effective� above (cosmetically appealing, meeting ideals, etc). Lipo produces minor damage to the tissues from the cannulas being forced in and out of the fat. This may produce scarring which can contract the tissues. Going back in the same area, the surgeon might encounter fibrous or tough scar-like tissues which don't suction well. This can produce a moth-eaten or over-suctioned appearance. I think of Tara Reid�s stomach when I think of over-suctioned. She looks like someone either didn�t know what they were doing (see credential comment above) or someone who did too much. So, for this part of the answer, repeated lipo in the same area with that kind of outcome could be said to be ineffective after repeated treatments, regardless of how many. That said, know that lipo revisions are common, meaning that the surgeon might have to re-enter the lipo'd site to take more fat, but this is usually a very small amount in a focused area, so the risk of over-suctioning is smaller...but it can still happen.

In summary, lipo can be performed once and be effective, and multiple suctioning of the same area may be more effective if done judiciously and in small amounts with the goal of perfecting the first procedure. Of course, if you are not going to exercise and eat healthy, lipo is a waste of money and time. You supposedly cannot add more fat cells to areas that are lipo'd but you can likely expand the fat cells left behind and you can certainly add fat to other areas, distorting the overall proportion of your body that you paid to attain with lipo. Many surgeons won't take patients who are not within a fair range of their ideal weight for his reason.