Liposuction Surgery

JCI Accredited Hospital for Plastic Surgery, Body Contouring, and Liposuction Surgery in Dubai.

Liposuction Surgery is a time-tested and validated procedure for permanently removing unwanted fat from several body areas. The fat is permanently removed from the treated area in a single step. It is not a procedure for weight loss. It is important that the person follows a healthy life-style and avoids weight gain in order to maintain the results.

How Liposuction Surgery is performed?

Liposuction Surgery is performed using thin narrow hollow tubes called cannulas. They come in different designs which have suction holes in different sizes and patterns. To gain access, a few small cuts measuring 3-4 mm are made in hidden areas. A mixture of local anesthetic and adrenaline (called tumescent solution) is injected into the target fatty tissues to anesthetize the area and to shrink the blood vessels. Using vacuum generated in syringes or by machines, the cannulas are moved through the fatty tissues in a systematic way, progressively extracting the fat efficiently while sparing important structures like nerves and blood vessels.

The extraction of fat is a time-consuming process to be performed with attention to detail, but the changes are visible to the surgeon immediately. The surgeon uses his other hand to stabilize the tissue, to guide the cannula movements and to assess the thickness of remaining fat continuously. This helps to create uniform or differential contours as per plan.

The result of liposuction Surgery becomes obvious only when the skin shrinks down to the new shape. This depends on the intrinsic quality of skin elasticity in that person and cannot be controlled by the surgeon (but see under ‘ancillary technology’ for more on this).

Recovery: the access incisions may be left open or closed. The patient may leave home in the care of a responsible adult on the same day or after an overnight stay. A proper sized compressive garment is often recommended. The bloodstained fluid is likely to leak from these points in the first 24 to 48 hours. One can expect swelling, bruising, numbness, and some pain for a few days.

When do we see the final result? A good idea may be obtained at 1 week, however, results improve continually until 6 months after surgery.

Who is a good candidate?

The ideal candidate is not over-weight but has exercise-resistant collections of fat in specific areas of the body. Neck, male chest, abdomen, sides of trunk (love handles) arms, thighs are the usual areas. Best results are seen in persons with good elastic skin free from stretch marks.

Who is not a candidate?

Global obesity all over the body

The continued trend to increase weight

Certain medically compromised persons

Persons on blood thinners and anti-cancer medications

Persons having saggy bad skin

What happens to the excess skin? Does it sag?

A common concern is what happens to the loose skin. When performed according to modern tenets, the skin can shrink down to the new size, however, the extent varies from person to person depending on individual skin elasticity.

How many Kilos/liters of fat can be removed in one session?

Despite repeatedly stating that liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, the above question is asked by almost every client. The number of areas to be operated and the quantity of fat suctioned in one session are subject to limits imposed by medical safety and good standards of clinical practice. A common guide used is “to remove no more than 5% of body weight equivalent in fat volume and to work on no more than 40% of the body surface area” in one session. In a 70 Kilos individual, this would be 3.5 to 4 liters of settled fat and not operate on more areas than back/abdomen and arms in combination. Each area must be treated completely in one session; the other areas may be treated after a few weeks. It is not a good idea to do multiple sessions in the same area.

Removing excessive amounts of fat in one session increases the risk of low BP, lowering of hemoglobin, fat embolism, fluid imbalances and other issues.

In almost all cases of complications, it is observed that these guidelines have been ignored. It is important to repeat here that a perfectly safe procedure like liposuction can get a bad reputation if the necessary precautions are ignored.

Which areas are suitable for liposuction?

Most of the body areas can be improved by liposuction if there is excess fat. Common areas are double chin area, arms, abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, and calves. Uncommon areas are the lower face, upper back, forearms.

What another ancillary technology is used?

AACSH has invested in technology to perform advanced work with Liposuction Surgery in Dubai. Depending on the surgeon’s preference and individual case requirement, ancillary energy sources like Laser or ultrasound may be used to loosen the fat first. Vaser is one such brand using ultrasound energy. These energy devices also claim to improve tissue tightness by either more efficient mobilization of fat in between fibers or by heating the tissues to encourage shrinking. The latest technology to join this list is Helium gas-J plasma. Our own experience indicates that this method is able to shrink the skin very well.

Irrespective of the technology used, well-performed professional liposuction and patient’s skin quality are the most important factors for a good result. Technology only offers additional assistance. Correct use of technology may however be crucial to achieve high definition is selected cases.

J-Plasma (Sub-dermal tissue tightening)

Sub-dermal J Plasma is a revolutionary minimally invasive technology being used for skin tightening anywhere on the face and body, with amazing results! This unique procedure is great for patients suitable for liposuction as it gives the added bonus of skin tightening. It is also an alternative to traditional facelifts and tummy tucks in selected cases.

A long probe is used to deliver precise energy to the target tissues directly under the skin; the energy is carried by ionized Helium gas in ‘plasma state’. The energy is thus able to reach the target tissue directly without overheating or causing burns.

Some improvement is seen soon but the skin continues to shrink for 6 months.

VASER Liposuction (4D High Def)

VASER is an advanced energy device that was specially developed to improve the performance and results of liposuction. This branded technology uses high-frequency vibrations (sound) to literally dislodge fat from its attachments without harming the blood vessels. The fat tissue bits become free; hence liposuction becomes easier and more complete. Superficial tissues can be tightened as a result of VASER energy and also because superficial fat is more effectively removed.

VASER is very useful in revision cases as it can help extract the fat from in between scar tissues.

VASER also helps the surgeon to perform detailing on the body in a procedure called High Definition. In this, the surgeon is trying to define muscle borders and to remove fat from in-between areas so that muscle definitions can be improved.

Like all powerful technologies, it needs experience and training in order to get the best results while still staying in the safe zone. The VASER entry holes are a bit larger than liposuction holes by 1-2mm. There is a small risk of burns at the entry site but which usually heals well.

LIPOSCULPTURE

Liposculpture is basically liposuction done in selected individuals to produce a certain desired body shape. The best candidates are those who do not have excessive amounts of fat, are in good muscular shape internally, and have elastic young skin but have shape distortions due to mal-distribution of fat. Others who seeking removal of even normal amounts of fat from specific areas are also good candidates.

In liposculpture, the surgeon uses cannulas of smaller diameters with specific hole configurations to perform sculpture and etching inside. He/She may also re-inject the suctioned fat to specific areas. In essence, the body is re-sculpted and hence the name.

An extreme form of liposculpture is called High definition liposculpture, also called 3D. Such procedures are available at AACSH for Body Contouring or Liposuction Surgery in Dubai.