LIPOSUCTION

Can liposuction cure cellulite?
Although liposuction is frequently marketed as a cure for cellulite, classical liposuction removes fat at a deeper level than the cellulite. Removing fat from immediately beneath the skin involves the use of extremely fine tubes. When combined with fat injections to smooth out bumps, this treatment is called liposculpture. The results are short term and are usually very unsatisfactory longterm.

What does liposuction involve?
Before the operation, you will have the areas to be treated marked out by the surgeon and then you will be put to sleep. Fat is removed using a wet technique, where the area to be treated will be injected with a mixture of saline, local anaesthetic (which lasts eight hours), adrenaline (to stop bleeding) and a drug called Hyalase to allow this fluid to penetrate the body fat. Roughly the same amount of fluid is injected as the amount of fat to be sucked out. The surgeon takes a fine tube called a cannula (just 3mm in diameter), which is coupled to a high vacuum chamber to suck out the fat. Through a small stab wound, the cannula is moved in different directions to suck out enough fat from each particular area. The surgeon will keep feeling the skin to check that a smooth contour will be left. When one side of the body is finished, the fat will be measured and the same amount removed from the other side.

Ultrasonic Liposuction

What are the after effects like?
After the operation, a stitch is placed in each incision, wide elastoplast is used to support treated areas and you will be dressed in an elastic compression garment. This is worn to prevent the accumulation of fluid under the skin and to help skin spring back into shape. When you have recovered from the operation, in most cases you can go home the same day. If you have had more than 3 litres removed, you should stay in overnight. You may feel sore afterwards but you should not be in real pain. Healing is aided by walking around as much as possible. You must keep the pressure garment on for at least three weeks. The stitches and elastoplast will be removed after ten days, although the end results may take up to six months to show after surgery.

What about the risks?
Post-operative swelling means that you will have fluid retention in the treated area that can take up to three months to settle down completely. Other problems are bruising, haematoma, rumpling of the skin which is not elastic enough to contract back into shape, and numbness (sensation should return in around four to six weeks). If you have extensive liposuction then you may become anaemic and are advised to take iron supplements daily. The commonest complication is the uneven removal of fat. 1 in 10 patients require touch up surgery usually under local anaesthetic.

Is there anyone for whom liposuction isn't suitable?

Liposuction is not a good idea for adolescents, because young women's weight often takes several years to settle down. If a woman has liposuction and then loses weight, she may develop lumpy scarring beneath the skin, which becomes more obvious.