Procedures
LIPOSUCTION
Liposuction is a procedure used to sculpt the body, by removing
unwanted fat from the abdomen, hips,
buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, or neck. During the past decade,
liposuction, which is also known as “lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy,” has
benefited from several, new refinements. The tumescent technique and the super-wet technique
give patients more precise results
and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute
for dieting and exercise, it can remove stubborn areas of fat
that don’t respond to diet and exercise
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR LIPOSUCTION
The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with
firm, elastic skin; who have pockets of excess fat that
do not respond to diet and exercise. Patients need to be in good health. 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, have an increased risk for complications.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
In your initial consultation, Dr. Ciano will evaluate your health,
determine where your fat deposits lie and assess the condition of your
skin. He will then explain the body-contouring methods that are
most appropriate for you.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Dr. Ciano will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for
surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking, taking or
avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and certain medications. If you develop
a cold or infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery
may have to be postponed.
THE SURGERY
Liposuction is a procedure in which localized deposits of fat are
removed to re-contour areas of the body. Through a tiny
incision, a narrow tube or cannula is inserted and used to vacuum the
fat layer that lies 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.. If many sites are being treated, Dr. Ciano will
move from one area to the next, keep the incisions as inconspicuous
as possible.
Fluid is lost along with the fat, and it’s crucial that the fluid
be replaced during the procedure. For this reason,
patients need to be carefully monitored and receive intravenous fluids
during and immediately following surgery.
TECHNIQUE VARIATIONS
The basic technique of liposuction, as described above,
is used in all patients undergoing this procedure. However,
a fluid injection technique, in which a mixture of intravenous saline solution
and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels), is injected
into fatty areas before the fat is removed. This helps the
fat to be removed more easily, and reduces blood loss during surgery. It also helps reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
After surgery there will be some fluid draining from
the incisions. You will be fitted
with a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. This will help to control swelling
and to assist your skin to fit its' new contours.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINITY AND RISK
You will be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.
The scars from liposuction are small and strategically placed to be hidden from view. However, the skin surface may be irregular, asymmetric or even “baggy". Numbness and pigmentation changes may occur and sometimes, additional surgery may be recommended.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
The stitches
dissolve, on their own, within the first week to ten days. You should
be back at work within a few days following your surgery and feeling normal within two weeks. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month while your body continues
to heal. Although most of the bruising and swelling usually disappears
within three weeks, some swelling may remain for six months or more.
YOUR NEW LOOK
You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body, quite
soon after surgery. However, improvements will become even more apparent
after four to six weeks, when most of the swelling has subsided.
Some persistent mild swelling usually disappears after several months,
but the final contour will not be established until after a year.
A healthy diet and regular
exercise can help you to maintain your new shape.
