LIPOSUCTION: AN IDEAL MEANS TO CHECK OBESITY

As the name suggests, liposuction is done to bring out or suction off the excess fat.

Liposuction is a pin-hole surgery. There is no need for any major cuts in the body. The surgeon just needs to make incision of merely half a centimeter.

Liposuction is always done after giving a dose or doses of general anesthesia. Hence in some cases, there may be minor complications arising out of the general anesthetic influence.

WHO SHOULD GO FOR LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction is recommended for people who have localized collection of fat.

THE IDEAL AGE FOR UNDERGOING LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is ideal for ages 30 to 50 years of age.

It is during this age group that the age naturally comes back to size (shrinking to the required space) to cover the areas from where the fats are removed.

CAN’T A 50-PLUS AGE PATIENT UNDERGO LIPOSUCTION?

In the post-50 age stage, the skin loses its elasticity. When a person in this age group undergoes liposuction an additional surgery is needed.

In the cases of patients who have lots of excess skin or who may not be having the ideal type of skin or if there is a possibility of redundant skin remaining in the post-operative stage then another operation known as ‘dermolipectomy’ needs to done. This dermolipectomy procedure is done for the removal of the skin and fat.

WILL THERE BE SCAR FOLLOWING LIPOSUCTION?

Yes, liposuction leaves a scar similar to the ones that is evident following a caesarian operation or any transverse lower abdominal surgery.
However, in the instances of persons who have already had a scar following an earlier lower abdominal operation liposuction is generally done at the same place. This saves the patient any risk of suffering any additional scar.

FAT CELLS: KNOW THEM TO CONTROL OBESITY

Know for sure that the fat cells in a person remains constant the entire life. Moreover, a person’s weight grows abnormally owing to the abnormal accumulation of fats (sources of energy) within the body.

It has to be noted that fats are needed for the body to carry on its activities known as the metabolic actions. Besides the amount required for the metabolic actions a person’s adipose tissues also has the capacity to store some additional fat content. But excess of everything is bad. This applies to fats as well.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FAT CELLS IN OBESE PEOPLE?

There can be two possibilities:

One, the additional fats get deposited in areas other than the adipose tissues (where they should ideally be deposited) causing obesity and rendering those portions vulnerable to physically debilitating ailments. This happens because the storehouse of fats “the adipose tissues ” cannot preserve the additional fats that have been supplied because the adipose tissues do not have any storage space.

Two, the weight gain is due to the increase in the size of the fat cells (medically termed ‘hypertrophy’). The weight gain is not due to the increase in the number of the cells (‘hyperplasia’).

Therefore, when a particular number of fat cells are removed from an area, it is ensured that fats will not be accumulating in that area. Hence, liposuction obviates the possibilities of fats gathering locally. If a person continues his dietary habits (inputs), then, of course, fats will start accumulating in a uniform manner causing the person to suffer obesity again!

NOTE: It has been observed that a patient who has undergone a liposuction particularly in the outer thigh sides, enjoys weight loss to a considerably degree in the post-operative stage.

WHERE IS LIPOSUCTION CARRIED OUT?

The areas where liposuction is done are the upper portion of the arm, around the thighs especially the outer areas (commonly termed as the ‘Jodhpur deformity’ or the ‘riding breech’), the as well as the calves, abdomen, chin, hips, calves, knees calves and the buttocks.

In one liposuction surgery, as much as 3.1 of fat can be sucked out. Just the minimum of fat of 1.50 cm is kept in the body just below the skin to give physical contour.

The surgery is a simple one requiring merely one or two stitches. The dressings applied are removed after 10 days or two weeks.

The patients should wear the recommended clothes up to three months following the surgery.

LIPOSUCTION INSTRUMENTS

Liposuction is carried out with a long tube-like instrument that is hollow throughout and blunt on one point. It is similar to a hollow needle or an injection having an opening at the portion that is inserted into the body.

The liposuction instrument is the main tool. It is a cannula or blunt in structure.

HOW IS LIPOSUCTION DONE?

This long, hollow and blunt instrument is placed across the fat under the skin. It is positioned in the plane position.

The tube tip is blunt. The moment the blunt tip is introduced, it pushes the vessels transporting blood as well as the nerves to a side.

LIPOSUCTION MECHANISM

The mechanism is to apply a strong suction at the end of the tube. The fat is sucked out through the hollow portion.

SUBEMENTAL LIPECTOMY & LIPO AUGMENTATION

Both the terms ‘Submental Lipectomy’ and ‘Lipo Augmentation’ are different types of the liposuction process.

Both form vital parts of cosmetic surgery.

Submental Lipectomy: ‘Submental Lipectomy’ refers to the liposuction process whereby fat is removed from the region between the neck and the chin – the most vulnerable and the first portion of the body to feel the adverse effects of fat accumulation or obesity. This submittal area sags and drops under the weight of the excess fats.

One can gain a taut and a firm as well as a young look by having the accumulated fat suctioned off through ‘Submental Lipectomy’.

Lipo Augmentation: This is the process through which excess fat is transplanted from the areas that have excess accumulation of fats to other areas like the face to give the latter a glowing, full, filled-up look.