Skin Club by DermaGenesis

The main purpose of liposuction is to reshape one or more areas of the body, and not to reduce body weight. Liposuction is typically used on "problem" areas that have not responded well to diet and exercise. These areas are often on the outer thighs and hips on women and the waist and back on men. The face, neck, abdomen, back, buttocks, legs, and upper arms are all commonly treated areas.
Liposuction is not used to treat obesity and it will not get rid of cellulite or stretch marks. Liposuction is not a substitute for exercise or balanced diet. The results of liposuction can be long lasting but never permanent.

Surgical procedure

Liposuction should be done only by a doctor who has special training in liposuction and surgery of the skin and in how to respond to complications during surgery. During liposuction, small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes (cannula) are inserted through tiny cuts in the skin. Fat is suctioned out through these tubes as the doctor moves the tubes around under the skin to target specific fat deposits. Liposuction is usually done as a daycare procedure in a properly equipped doctor's office, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital. In general, it does not require an overnight hospital stay unless a large volume of fat is being removed. However, liposuction of large areas of the body should only be done in a hospital or licensed surgical center.
In recent years, improved techniques have made liposuction safer, easier, and less painful. These newer techniques include:

Tumescent liposuction
A large amount of an anesthetic solution containing lidocaine and epinephrine is injected into the fatty tissue before traditional liposuction is performed. The solution makes the fat expand and become firmer, which allows the tubes to move more smoothly under the skin. It also causes the blood vessels to temporarily shrink (vasoconstriction), which greatly reduces blood loss during the procedure.

Ultrasound-assisted (ultrasonic) tumescent liposuction
This newer technique uses energy created by ultrasound to liquefy the fat before it is removed. The tubes move more smoothly under the skin after the fat has been liquefied, so this technique may be particularly helpful in areas where the fat is very firm or fibrous-such as the sides, the back, male breasts, and the area around the navel-or when removing large amounts of fat. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction may take 2 to 4 hours longer than standard tumescent liposuction.

Laser-assisted tumescent liposuction
This technique uses a laser to liquefy the fat before it is removed. Similar to ultrasound-assisted liposuction, this helps the surgeon remove the fat from under the skin. A laser also may be used to tighten the skin over the area where the fat was removed.

Post surgery

After the procedure, the area of the body that was treated is firmly wrapped to help reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Elastic bandages and tape, support hose, a special girdle, or another type of firm-fitting garment may be used, depending on which part of the body was treated. Patients may have to wear the compression garment or wrap for 3 to 4 weeks. Expect a lot of bruising and swelling for at least the first 7 to 10 days. Fluid may drain from the incision sites for several days. In some cases, a short course of antibiotic may be given to reduce the risk of infection.
Most people are able to get up and move around as soon as the treatment is finished and after the effects of the anesthesia and any sedation have worn off. Most people can return to work within a few days. Recovery may take longer if large areas were treated.

Results

Liposuction is not intended as a method for weight loss. It is used as a shaping procedure for areas where hereditary fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise have accumulated. The best results from liposuction occur in body areas where there is reasonable muscle tone, where skin has good elastic quality, and where fat is not excessive. Liposuction generally does not tighten the skin over the treated area. After fat has been removed, the skin around the area may be somewhat loose. It may take up to 6 months for the skin to tighten around the treated area. In cases where there is a significant loss of tone and elasticity, superior cosmetic results may require a combination of both liposuction and surgical skin tightening to remove the excessive loose tissue. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations and look forward to contouring enhancement rather than weight reduction.

Safety, risks and side effects

Liposuction performed by an experienced doctor in a properly equipped facility is usually safe. Having more than one area treated, or having a very large area treated, may increase the risk of complications during or after the procedure.
Common side effects of liposuction include:

• Temporary swelling, bruising, soreness, and numbness in and around the treated areas.
• Irritation and minor scarring around the incision sites where the cannulas were inserted.
• Baggy or rippling skin but the skin will usually tighten and retract after a few months. Unfortunately, in some people the skin may remain somewhat loose.

Less common side effects include:

• Permanent colour changes in the skin.
• Uneven skin surface over the treated area.
• Damage to the nerves and skin. The heat generated during ultrasonic or laser liposuction may burn the skin or damage the tissue under the skin.

Although death is very rare with liposuction, it can happen, due to:

• Excessive blood and fluid loss, leading to shock.
• Fat clots or blood clots, which may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and become life-threatening.
• Build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema). This is most likely to occur when a large volume of fluid is injected into the body.
• Toxic reaction to the injected solution (lidocaine toxicity).
• A puncture into the cavity containing the abdominal organs or damage to an organ.

Cost

Cost of liposuction is influenced by the opearation site, surgeon's skills and the hospital ranking. On an average, it may range from RM 4000 to RM 8000 for abdominal liposuction.