Liposuction at Antiaging Group Barcelona

Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. During the past decade, liposuction, which is also known as “lipoplasty”, “liposculpture” or “suction lipectomy,” has benefited from several new refinements. Today, a number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent technique, and the super-wet technique, are helping to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

The best candidates for liposuction

To be a good candidate for liposuction, you must have realistic expectations about what the procedure can do for you. It’s important to understand that liposuction can enhance your appearance and self confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in your expectations. Your age is not a major consideration; however, older patients may have diminished skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger patient with tighter skin. Liposuction carries greater risk for individuals with medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor blood circulation, or those who have recently had surgery near the area to be contoured.

Planning your surgery

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your skin. Your surgeon will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” may more effectively meet your goals; or that a combination of traditional liposuction and UAL would be the best choice for you.

Preparing for your surgery

We will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be postponed. Though it is rarely necessary, sometimes may be necessary that you have blood drawn ahead of time in case it is needed during surgery. Also, while you are making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if needed, to help you at home for a day or two.

About the operation

Smaller-volume liposuction is usually done on an outpatient basis for reasons of cost and convenience. However, if a large volume of fat will be removed, or if the liposuction is being performed in conjunction with other procedures, a stay in a hospital or overnight nursing facility is required. Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction procedures. Together, we will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery. If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. However, if you prefer, the local is usually used along with intravenous sedation to keep you more relaxed during the procedure.

Regional anesthesia can be a good choice for more extensive procedures. One type of regional anesthesia is the epidural block, the same type of anesthesia commonly used in childbirth. However, some patients prefer general anesthesia, particularly if a large volume of fat is being removed. The time required to perform liposuction may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used.

There are several liposuction techniques that can be used to improve the ease of the procedure and to enhance outcome. Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are removed to recontour one or more areas of the body. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. The cannula is pushed then pulled through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them out. The suction action is provided by a vacuum pump or a large syringe, depending on the surgeon’s preference. The incisions are placed to be as inconspicuous as possible. Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it’s crucial that this fluid be replaced during the procedure to prevent shock. For this reason, patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids during and immediately after surgery.

Technique variations

The basic technique of liposuction, as described above, is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However, as the procedure has been developed and refined, several variations have been introduced. Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid -a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels)- helps the fat be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery. The amount of fluid that is injected varies depending on the preference of the surgeon. I prefer the super-wet technique, similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.

• Neck: the turkey gobble can be managed by liposuction. Usually it is associated to lifting
• Arms : Traditional excision of fat in this area, leaving a conspicous scar is rarely performed nowadays. With liposuction, we have extirpated great amounts of fat (1000 cc) with a very good cutaneous retraction. It only needs particular postoperative rules to ease the retraction of the skin.
• Abdomen: in young patients or with good cutaneus elasticity the leftover fat can be eliminated with liposuction alone. If there is muscular weakness (diastasis of recti) due to either previous pregnancies or surgeries or where there is a great excess of skin (ie after massive weight loss) the open surgery is the solution (abdominoplasty).
• Back: In many occasions we associate it to the liposuction of abdomen.
• Hips and buttocks : it is the most popular area to treat. The important thing is to contour, to perform liposculpture. In order to obtain a good retraction of the skin it is necessary to suction very superficial leaving the skin very thin. At the same time the buttock is contoured, redefining the folds to give a more youthful look.
• Knees: it is possible to eliminate the fat in the inner and frontal aspects of the knee. • Legs : Mainly at the level of ankles and also to contour the posterior aspect of the legs.

All surgery carries some uncertainty and risks

Liposuction is normally safe, as long as patients are carefully selected, the operating facility is properly equipped and the physician is adequately trained. However, it’s important to keep in mind that even though a well-trained surgeon and a state-of-the art facility can improve your chance of having a good result, there are no guarantees. Though they are rare, complications can and do occur. Risks increase if a greater number of areas are treated at the same time, or if the operative sites are larger in size. Removal of a large amount of fat and fluid may require longer operating times than may be required for smaller operations. The combination of these factors can create greater hazards for infection; delays in healing; the formation of fat clots or blood clots, which may migrate to the lungs and cause death; excessive fluid loss, which can lead to shock or fluid accumulation that must be drained; friction burns or other damage to the skin or nerves or perforation injury to the vital organs; and unfavorable drug reactions.

In the tumescent and super-wet techniques, the anesthetic fluid that is injected may cause lidocaine toxicity (if the solution’s lidocaine content is too high), or the collection of fluid in the lungs (if too much fluid is administered). The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, imperfections in the final appearance are not uncommon after lipoplasty. The skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even “baggy,” especially in the older patient. Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur. Sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.

After your surgery

After surgery, you will likely experience some fluid drainage from the incisions. Occasionally, a small drainage tube may be inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid build-up. To control swelling and to help your skin better fit its new contours, you may be fitted with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. Antibiotics are prescribed to prevent infection. Don’t expect to look or feel great right after surgery. Even though the newer techniques are believed to reduce some post-operative discomforts, you may still experience some pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and temporary numbness. Pain can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon, though you may still feel stiff and sore for a few days. It is normal to feel a bit anxious or depressed in the days or weeks following surgery. However, this feeling will subside as you begin to look and feel better.

Getting back to normal

Healing is a gradual process. You will have to start walking around as soon as possible to reduce swelling and to help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. You will begin to feel better after about a week or two and you should be back at work within a few days following your surgery. The stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within the first week to 10 days. Physical activity along with massages and lymphatic drainage are started by the first week postoperatively. It helps the skin to contract and adapt to the underlying structures. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more. If you have any unusual symptoms between visits — for example, heavy bleeding or a sudden increase in pain — or any questions about what you can and can’t do, call your doctor.

Your new look

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body quite soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after about four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided. After about three months, any persistent mild swelling usually disappears and the final contour will be visible. If your expectations are realistic, you will probably be very pleased with the results of your surgery. You may find that you are more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes and more at ease with your body. And, by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, you can help to maintain your new shape.

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Post comments This post comment feed

1. 27 / Apr

   claudia perez said…

   mi pregunta es la siguiente: a mi me operaron hace un año de hemorroides y tuve un abceso en la pompa derecha, tuvieron que drenarme por una semana, ahora quiero hacerme la lipoescultura y ponerme la grasa en las pompas, hay algun riesgo por lo que me paso?????
   agradezco su tiempo tomado

   Reply

   1. 29 / Apr

      AGB said…

      Hola Claudia

      A priori no ha de haber ningún problema porque el área esta cicatrizada. La única cuestión es que si hay mucha cicatriz puede que la grasa en esta zona no coja tan bien como en la parte sana y pueda tener una discreta simetría. En cualquier caso, el injerto de grasa se usa también para relleno y tratamiento de zonas cicatriciales, asi que no está contraindicado.

      Saludos!

      Dr. Benito

      Reply

2. 25 / Jun

   Sabrina said…

   Hi How Much Does This Cost.? Will I Be Able To Leave The Same Day After Surgery?

   Kind Regards
   Sabrina

   Reply

   1. 28 / Jun

      AGB said…

      Dear Sabrina

      The cost and the time required for your stay in hospital depends on the areas and volume to remove. I’d recommend you to email us at consulta@antiaginggroupbarcelona.com and we’ll get into detail. In any case, let me remind you that the first consultation with us is free for all the people who, like you, have participated on our web by leaving a comment.

      Kind regards,

      Dr. Benito

      Reply

3. 10 / Jul

   Susana said…

   Estoy pensando en hacerme la liposucción en la parte superior de los brazos, quisiera saber que tiempo de recuperación y coste tiene

   Reply

   1. 10 / Jul

      AGB said…

      Hola Susana,

      La operación se puede realizar con anestesia local y sedación y requerir sólo un ingreso de unas pocas horas. La recuperación es de unos 4-5 días ya que puede haber algo de hinchazón en las manos. El coste está alrededor de los 3500 euros. Una alternativa es la intralipoterapia, sin ingreso en clínica y con una recuperación más rápida. En este caso el coste depende del volumen de medicación y número de sesiones necesarias. En cualquier caso tendríamos que verla para valorarlo. Simplemente recordarle que la primera visita con nosotros es gratuita por habernos dejado un comentario a través de la web.

      Un cordial saludo,

      Dr. Jesús Benito

      Reply

4. 29 / Jul

   bea said…

   hola estaba mirando la pagina y veo que hay varios medicos yo queria exponer mi caso tengo 27 años y queria someterme a una lipo de varias zonas donde concentro la grasa me gustaria saber a quien me tengo que dirigir para esta operacion cuando llame. Y otra cosa las lipos necesitan retoques? porque he oido bastante eso. Y quien asume los gastos? A mi personalmente me da terror el que queden imperfecciones porque habra gente que lo haga por salud pero hay gente que lo hacemos por estetica. Gracias por vuestra atencion.

   Reply

   1. 30 / Jul

      AGB said…

      Hola Bea,

      Sí, somos varios médicos, en el caso de la liposucción, si llama para una visita será con la Dra Manzano o conmigo, el Dr. Jesús Benito. La liposucción depende en su resultado de lo que haga el cirujano pero también de la capacidad de la piel para retraerse. Nosotros vaciamos siguiendo la idea de la lipoescultura, es decir, dar forma vaciando más de unos sitios y menos de otros. Sin embargo cabe la posibilidad que en alguna zona la piel se retraiga menos y pueda haber alguna irregularidad. Esta es la complicación más frecuente en la liposucción. Si es pequeña normalmente lo solucionamos en la consulta sin cargo, pero si hay que pasar por quirófano en clínica el paciente asume este coste (gastos de quirófano y hospital).

      La liposucción es una operación estética y el 99% de las personas que se operan lo hacen con este criterio. Todos buscamos el resultado perfecto pero hay que asumir que pudiera ser que el resultado no cumpliera con sus expectativas.

      Recordarle que por haber participado en nuestra web con un comentario, la primera consulta en la clínica con nosotros es gratuita.

      Muchas gracias por su comentario.

      Saludos!

      Dr. Jesús Benito

      Reply