Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips buttocks, tights, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks, and neck. It can also be defined as the removal of fat from deposits beneath the skin using a hollow stainless steel tube (called a cannula) with the assistance of a powerful vacuum. Liposuction known as “Lipoplasty” has benefited from several new refinements. These new refinement are helping many surgeons provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. (1, ASPS/PSEF)

The pre-operation procedures 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. The doctor will tell you the effects it will cause and risks. Your surgeon will include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. Most liposuction procedures take place in a surgeon's office-based facility, in an outpatient surgery center, or in a hospital. There will be a proper-trained personal to assist with the operation. A proper-trained personal is an individual who is trained in artificial respiration and CPR must be present during the procedure and recovery, until release of the patient. If you develop a cold or an infection of any kind, especially a skin infection, your surgery may have to be postponed. You will also need someone to pick you up after the surgery. (1, Schlessinger)

General tools of liposuction are cannulas, filtrate solutions into the tissues, to break up the fat and the suction to take it out. There are several other tools that have been used in liposuction like: Cannulas are usually made out of titanium or stainless steel and are anywhere from usually 26 to 36 cm long and from usually 1.4mm to 5 mm in diameter (width). There are also reciprocating cannulas hand pieces as well, as used in Power-assisted Liposuction (PAL). The cannulas hand pieces are made so that the tip of the device is driven to reciprocate a linear motion to assist the surgeon in ease of moving through fibrous fat and/or tissue. The tip moves vertically and moves distances from 1/4 of an inch to a 1/2 an inch. The electric vacuum pump called an aspirator, or a large syringe is of course part of the main attraction and fat removal would just be manual fat extraction with forceps and a scalpel if it were not for these. The electric motored vacuum pump and collection reservoir system is a standard piece of equipment in liposuction surgeons' offices. Intravenous Fluid/Medication Machines: Intravenous access will usually be initiated prior to the procedure and maintained throughout your stay in the recovery room until you are released to go home. You might have to stay overnight for several nights. Fluid levels will be monitored for as long as you are under their care until right before you are released.

There are other tools used when liposuction is being done. Blood Pressure & Heart Monitor: Even with battery back-ups it is required for a stethoscope to also be present in the room and easily accessed in case of an emergency. Pulse Oximeter with an Audible Alarm: Also essential, this device is an instrument for measuring continuously the degree of oxygen saturation of the circulating blood. Defibrillator: A Defibrillator is an electronic device used to defibrillate a heart by applying an electric shock to it. In case your heart develops an erratic rhythm and fluttering this machine shocks it back to a normal one. Oxygen Source with a Positive Pressure Delivery System: Oxygen and a working mask or endotracheal tube must be there at all times in case of an emergency need for oxygen by the patient. The oxygen system should be properly filled