Liposuction

Length of operation: From 30 min to  hours
Type of Anaesthesia: Local or general
Length of stay in hospital: Day case or overnight
Recovery time:
Time off work:

Mr Vaingankar performs liposuction, as an adjunct, if required along with procedures such as abdominoplasty or excision of gynaecomastia. He does not usually offer liposuction as an isolated procedure.

About liposuction: As we age, fatty deposits are deposited in certain areas of the body. In women it is usually the lower abdomen, the thighs and the flanks and in men, it is usually the abdomen and the chest area. Younger people too can be affected by fatty deposits, mostly around the thighs, which seem to be genetic.

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery to remove unwanted body fat. The operation is also known as liposculpture or suction-assisted lipectomy. It can be carried out on different areas of the body, mainly the hips, thighs abdomen. Other popular areas for liposuction are under the chin, neck, upper arms, breasts, knees, calves or ankles.

Suitable candidate:  If any one or a combination of the following conditions trouble you – unsightly bulges, thighs that rub or chafe in the middle, self-conscious about appearance – then you could be a candidate for liposuction. Liposuction is a procedure to reduce areas of excess fat but is not an operation to treat obesity.

Reasons not to go ahead: Patients on blood thinning medicine, active smoking, having loose skin in the problem area or dimpling or stretch marks and being  excessively overweight.

Pre op: You can discuss your expectations, learn about the surgery and clarify any doubts you might have at the consultation. The surgeon will perform an examination in order to be able to assess your individual needs and discuss the results in length with you.

On the day: If you decide to go ahead with the procedure, you will receive advice about what to do and what to avoid, prior to surgery.  The incisions will be covered  with tape and a pressure garment needs to be worn for about 4 to 6 weeks after the operation. Your surgeon will also instruct you on how to best care for the dressings and how to position yourself while sitting or lying down to help ease pain. Most patients are discharged the following morning from the hospital. An appointment is made for removal of sutures a week following surgery and for a review in two weeks after surgery.

Post op: The skin will be swollen and bruised and may feel  tight and numb for the first few days after the operation and this will soften and normal sensation will return gradually. The garment must be worn constantly for the first 4 to 6  weeks.  Patients are encouraged to exercise  after the first few weeks.

Convalescence: Within a week or two of the procedure, bruising will begin to reduce. It may take up to three to six  months for the swelling to settle and to see the full results of the procedure.

Risks and complications:  A small percentage of patients can have complications just like for any surgical procedure.
Infection – can be usually readily treated with an antibiotic.
Haematoma (blood clot under the skin) or bleeding – a re-visit to the operating theatre may be necessary.
Delayed healing of the wound – particularly true in case of diabetic patients or those who smoke. This needs to be discussed with the surgeon during the consultation stage.
Scars – scarring will normally heal well, but will differ from patient to patient.

Effects of the procedure: Liposuction permanently removes fat cells and can alter body shape. A healthy diet and exercise after the operation goes a long way towards maintaining the effects of the operation.