Lipoplasty
Lipoplasty, also called liposuction, removes localized collections of fatty tissue to give you a smoother and slimmer body contour. For the best results, you should be of relatively normal weight with extra fat localized in specific areas such as the hips, buttocks and abdomen. Lipoplasty is neither a substitute for proper diet and exercise nor a method for overall weight loss. It cannot eliminate cellulite or correct loose, hanging skin. In fact, the best results from lipoplasty are achieved when you have healthy, elastic skin with the capacity to shrink evenly after surgery. If your skin has lost much of its elasticity, you may need a skin tightening procedure such as a tummy tuck, thigh lift, buttock lift or arm lift.
Local anesthesia (usually with sedation) or regional or general anesthesia may be used depending on what your surgeon judges as the safest and most comfortable choice for your particular surgery. Lipoplasty is usually performed using a suction pump device to vacuum away excess fatty deposits. In some cases, a hand held syringe may be used instead of a pump. There are a number of variations to conventional lipoplasty. Ultrasound assisted lipoplasty, for example, uses energy from sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is removed. The technique chosen for your specific case depends on individual factors that your plastic surgeon will discuss with you.
Following surgery, you may wear a snug dressing or garment, up to several weeks, to promote skin shrinkage and to minimize swelling and bruising as you gradually resume normal activities. You can expect to return to work within one or two weeks.
