How To Make Liposuction Risk Free and Get Best Results?

Hello Friends,

I’m Dr. Sandeep Bhasin, a leading cosmetic surgeon specializing in a variety of cosmetic surgery solutions. Today, I will provide you with comprehensive information about liposuction, the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery for fat removal.

In this article, I will address your questions regarding liposuction, including its definition, the procedure itself, do’s and don’ts, expected outcomes, and more. By the end, you will have a thorough understanding of this procedure and be able to make an informed decision if you’re considering it. Let’s begin our virtual journey into the world of liposuction and discover how it can help you eliminate excess fat.

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure designed to remove excess fat deposits from various areas of the body. While it offers significant benefits, it’s essential to approach liposuction with caution to minimize risks and achieve the best possible results. In this article, we will provide you with valuable insights and guidance on how to make liposuction risk-free and ensure optimal outcomes. Whether you’re considering liposuction or have already scheduled the procedure, these tips will help you navigate the process safely and achieve your desired goals.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that targets specific areas of the body to remove excess fat. It is typically performed on areas such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, or neck. The procedure involves making small incisions and using a suction technique to extract the fat cells.

Liposuction is not a weight-loss method but rather a way to sculpt and contour the body. It is essential to have realistic expectations and understand that liposuction will not solve issues related to obesity or cellulite. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon is crucial to determining whether you are a suitable candidate for liposuction.

Various types of liposuction:

It can be done by normal suction, power-assisted suction, ultra-assisted liposuction, and Vaser-assisted liposuction.

How Liposuction Helps in Reducing the Size of Your Body Parts? Know Here!

The methods can be dry, wet, super wet, and tumescent liposuction.

Dry Liposuction is no longer used.

In Wet Liposuction, we put some fluid and remove the fluid with suction, but that is also no longer used.

What is being used now is super wet or tumescent. In super wet liposuction, we put 2 liters of fluid inside the fat, and then we remove two liters of fat.

Liposuction involves various methods:

1. Tumescent Liposuction: Injects a solution to numb the area and minimize bleeding.
2. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL): Uses ultrasound to break down fat cells before removal.
3. Laser-Assisted Liposuction (LAL): Utilizes laser energy to liquefy fat cells and tighten the skin.
4. Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL): Utilizes a vibrating cannula to dislodge fat cells efficiently.
5. Water-Assisted Liposuction (WAL): Involves injecting a gentle stream of saline solution to facilitate fat removal.

Your surgeon will choose the most suitable technique based on your needs.

Please let me know if you have further questions or if there’s anything else I can assist you with.

In Tumescent Liposuction, we put 4 liters of fluid and then remove 2 to 3 liters of fat. This is what the difference is between tumescent and super wet liposuction.

What we find now is that super wet liposuction is the best technique as the chances of fluid overload are less as compared to tumescent liposuction that was done in the past.

In the past, people were given a large amount of fluid to the body, and the procedure was done under local anesthesia.

So, friends – my advice is if you are going for liposuction, do not go for tumescent liposuction as this procedure can be dangerous too.

If it is a big area, the chances of fluid overload are very high. Some clinics still follow this procedure. As long as the area is small, it is ok. But for large areas, it is not recommended.

This is my first recommendation or advice to you.  Super wet liposuction is safer than tumescent liposuction.

Now let me come to another very important point.

Many clinics started doing liposuction procedures in local anesthesia and still many are doing them. But now there is a caveat.

A very important point you should understand is that the medicines used in local anesthesia are xylocaine and lidocaine which are toxic to the body after a particular limit. It starts causing problems to the nervous system, and heart, and it can also be dangerous to the entire body.

The maximum limit for using lidocaine is 35mg/kg according to the American Plastic Association.

Many times when we give local anesthesia to a bigger area, the limit of xylocaine and lidocaine can exceed.

Is Liposuction Really the Best Way To Reduce Body Fat? Learn more…

What did we do in our practice or clinic?

We don’t do the procedure in local anaesthesia. We do liposuction in general anaesthesia. So, we don’t use xylocaine and lidocaine in that amount. We use them in low doses, such as 10 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg so that doses do not exceed and the chances of toxicity are minimized to a great extent.

So, my recommendation is if you are going for liposuction for a bigger area, do not go for local anesthesia, and go for general anesthesia.

For you, it may sound interesting or cool that you are undergoing the procedure under local anaesthesia and going back home the same day. But if the bigger area is involved, go for general anaesthesia.

Spinal anaesthesia is not good for many reasons, your blood pressure can drop, and many other things can happen. So, epidural spinal anesthesia is not a very good option to be used in liposuction. So, in liposuction, the best option is to go for general anesthesia and reduce the doses of xylocaine.

We come across many people who say – doctor, remove 20 liters or 15-liter fat in me…

Let me come to this point how much fat we can remove safely from your body through liposuction?

This is a very crucial question, and you have to take it very seriously. Liposuction has its own problems and complications. Don’t ignore that. 10% of your body weight can be removed in one session.

Suppose, your weight is 70kg, up to 6 to 7 liters of fluid can be removed. But according to safety norms of liposuction, we can remove 5 liters of fluid in one sitting. If we remove a very large amount of fat, say 15 liters or 20 liters is to be removed, the chances of complications are going to increase a lot.

You will be required to prolong your stay in the hospital. Chances of blood transfusion, and electrolytic imbalance can be there. A lot of such complications can happen.

So, a large volume that is called mega liposuction is something that should be taken up with a lot of precautions and care, because if the complication happens, then it is very difficult to handle.

The situation gets difficult for both the patient and the doctor.

So, the volume of fat we remove in one sitting should be less than 5 liters or not more than that for safety reasons in my view. This is about the volume of liposuction that we do.

Normally, when we do liposuction in our setup, we never allow the patient to go back home the same day.

I know 80% of the centers send the patient the same day but my advice is to keep them overnight. We give them sufficient fluids, and intravenous fluids, and hydrate them well. We observe them for 24 hours.

The reason is we give them xylocaine and the side effects of xylocaine may not happen immediately but can happen after a few hours.

Secondly, when we remove a lot of fat, there can be dizziness, and difficulty in walking and the patient may feel pain and discomfort. For that reason, we do not advise patients to go back home the same day but after 24 hours when they are comfortable and okay. Then only we discharge them. This is something important practice that we follow in our setup.

Another thing that is important for patients and we practice in our center is we ask the patient to move as soon as possible after the surgery. The reason is if they do not walk or move after this surgery or any other surgery, the chances of venous thrombosis increase. Either, we give them the medications to prevent thrombosis or we ask them to move as soon as possible.

If they move soon after the surgery, the chances of this thrombosis would be minimized. If the chances of thrombosis are high risk, then we make sure we give them injections like blood thinners.

One of the most critical factors in making liposuction risk-free and achieving the best results is selecting a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. Here are some key considerations when choosing a surgeon:

• Board Certification: Ensure that the surgeon has board certification from the appropriate organization, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Certification ensures that the surgeon has undergone rigorous training and meets specific standards.
• Experience and Expertise: Inquire about the surgeon’s experience with liposuction procedures. Ask how many liposuction surgeries they have performed and request to see before-and-after photos of previous patients. This will give you an idea of the surgeon’s skill and aesthetic sense.
• Patient Reviews and Testimonials: Read reviews and testimonials from previous patients to gauge their satisfaction and overall experience with the surgeon. Websites such as RealSelf and Healthgrades can provide valuable insights.
• Personal Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the surgeon to discuss your goals, concerns, and expectations. This will allow you to assess their communication skills, professionalism, and whether you feel comfortable with them.

By choosing a qualified surgeon, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with liposuction and increase the likelihood of achieving optimal results.

Open and honest communication with your surgeon is essential to achieving the best liposuction results. Clearly express your goals, concerns, and expectations during the initial consultation and subsequent appointments. Your surgeon should address any doubts or uncertainties you may have and provide realistic expectations about the outcome. Discuss any medical conditions, allergies, or previous surgeries that could impact the procedure or your recovery.

Another thing I would like to tell you here is that when a patient comes to us for liposuction, we do proper counseling and tell them clearly that it is not a weight loss procedure but an inch loss procedure.

It is an inch-loss procedure. What you can expect after liposuction is an inch loss and not a weight loss. That is something that we tell them very clearly. And if they really want weight loss, we have a very special protocol that we follow after liposuction.

We give them a high protein low carbohydrate diet which they have to follow. We ask them to take some supplements which can increase their metabolic rate and after 3 to 4 weeks, we ask them to do some exercises that are called high-intensity workouts and weight training that can help them in weight loss.

My patients who have undergone liposuction, who have followed a high protein diet, who have done high-intensity exercise and taken supplements, we have seen, on average in about two months, they lose 15 kg to 20 kg, sometimes 10 kg, which is a very good weight loss.

And this does not happen normally with liposuction alone. But when combined with these programs which we give them, there is a good weight loss that they can expect.

So, if you are motivated, you can lose weight, this is, what my thinking is.

When we take any patient for liposuction, we do a very thorough examination, we don’t take it lightly. We do all your blood tests, ECG, cardiac check-up, ultrasound, high-resolution ultrasound, or MRIs to rule out any hernia.

Things to keep in mind:

Friends, if there is a hernia and it is missed by any chance, I am telling you liposuction can be very dangerous.

So, it is something that has to be done. We are very meticulous about that before liposuction. We go for high-resolution ultrasound of the abdomen to rule out any missed hernia.

If it is there, we refuse the patient for liposuction. We ask them to get the hernia treated first. Another thing is we always look for bleeding time and clotting time and all other factors. If there is any bleeding disorder and you undergo liposuction, your bleeding will not stop.

That can be very fatal. We always look for your bleeding profiles before taking you for a liposuction procedure. These are protocols we follow in our clinic.

Another very important thing is, after liposuction, we always get an ultrasound done and we also look into your blood profile to see that you are comfortable with no accidental injuries in liposuction.

Now, understand, liposuction is a blind surgery, a blind procedure, and complications can or may happen. We are very careful before we do liposuction when we do liposuction and after liposuction. It should not be ignored something, what we tell people. Don’t take liposuction very lightly.

Clinics may have a good team, have good doctors. In spite of all that, things do happen. So, be careful in that regard.

Vaser Liposuction

Another thing we tell people is that you know we are using Vaser liposuction quite a lot. The advantage of laser liposuction is skin tightening and it gives better body contouring. And my advice is not to go for a tummy tuck and try to avoid tummy tuck. Because the wound healing time in tummy tuck procedure takes normally much longer time and liposuction is much less invasive.

Preparing for liposuction is crucial to ensuring a safe and successful procedure. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions tailored to your needs, but here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Medical Evaluation: Undergo a thorough medical evaluation to determine if you are in good overall health and a suitable candidate for surgery. This evaluation may include blood tests, imaging, and discussions about your medical history.
• Discuss Medications: Inform your surgeon about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. Certain medications, such as blood thinners or aspirin, may need to be temporarily discontinued before surgery to minimize the risk of excessive bleeding.
• Smoking and Alcohol: Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol for a specified period before and after the surgery. Smoking can impair the healing process, while alcohol can interfere with medications and increase the risk of complications.
• Arrange Support: Plan for a responsible adult to accompany you on the day of the surgery and assist you during the initial recovery period. Ensure that someone can drive you home after the procedure, as you may be groggy from anesthesia.

By following these preparations, you can minimize potential risks and ensure a smoother liposuction experience.

While liposuction is generally safe, like any surgical procedure, it carries certain risks. However, there are steps you can take to manage and mitigate these risks:

• Anesthesia Safety: Discuss the type of anesthesia to be used during the procedure with your surgeon. Ensure that a qualified anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist administers the anesthesia and monitors your vital signs throughout the surgery.
• Infection Prevention: Infection is a potential risk after liposuction. To minimize this risk, your surgeon will provide instructions for proper wound care, including keeping the incisions clean and dry, as well as administering antibiotics if necessary.
• Fluid Balance: Fluid balance is crucial during liposuction to prevent complications such as dehydration or fluid overload. Your surgeon will carefully monitor the amount of fluid administered and removed during the procedure.
• Contour Irregularities: Although rare, contour irregularities may occur after liposuction. To minimize this risk, your surgeon will use techniques such as microcannulas and specialized fat grafting to ensure smooth and natural-looking results.

By working closely with your surgeon and following their recommendations, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with liposuction.

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Post-operative care plays a vital role in ensuring a smooth recovery and optimizing the results of liposuction. Here are some essential postoperative care tips to follow:

• Compression Garments: Your surgeon will provide you with compression garments to wear after the surgery. These garments help reduce swelling, promote healing, and provide support to the treated areas. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding the duration and frequency of wearing compression garments.
• Pain Management: Mild to moderate discomfort is common after liposuction. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medications to manage any post-operative pain. Follow the prescribed dosage and inform your surgeon if the pain is persistent or worsening.
• Activity and Exercise: Follow your surgeon’s guidelines regarding physical activity and exercise after liposuction. You should start by avoiding strenuous activities and gradually increase your activity level in accordance with your surgeon’s advice.
• Follow-up Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon. These appointments allow your surgeon to monitor your progress, address any concerns, and ensure that you are healing properly.

By adhering to the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon, you can enhance your recovery and achieve the best possible results from liposuction.

Life After Liposuction: Everything You Need to Know!

Liposuction can provide long-lasting results, but it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to optimize and sustain these results. Here are some tips for maintaining the long-term benefits of liposuction:

• Healthy Diet: Follow a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-fat meals.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity to help maintain a healthy weight and tone your body. Incorporate both cardiovascular exercises and strength training into your routine for optimal results.
• Hydration: Stay adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Proper hydration supports overall health and helps maintain the elasticity of your skin.
• Sun Protection: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen with a high SPF when exposed to the sun. UV radiation can cause skin damage and affect the results of liposuction.
• Stress Management: Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. Chronic stress can negatively impact your overall health and well-being.

By adopting these healthy habits, you can ensure that the results of your liposuction procedure are long-lasting and enhance your overall quality of life.

What Should Be Our Diet Plan After Liposuction? find out more…

It is normal to experience some pain, discomfort, and swelling after liposuction. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help manage any discomfort during the initial stages of recovery. Additionally, applying cold compresses and wearing compression garments can alleviate swelling and promote healing. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding pain management techniques and reach out to them if you experience excessive pain or any concerning symptoms.

In the days and weeks following liposuction, you may experience side effects such as bruising, numbness, and temporary changes in sensation. These are typically normal and expected after the procedure. However, if you notice severe or persistent side effects, such as excessive bleeding, severe pain, or signs of infection, contact your surgeon immediately. Promptly addressing any complications will help ensure a safe and successful recovery.

Proper healing and recovery are essential for achieving the desired liposuction results. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding wound care, taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and gradually increasing physical activities. Avoid strenuous exercises and activities that can strain the treated areas during the initial recovery period. Listen to your body and rest when needed, allowing it time to heal and adjust.

To maintain the best possible results, it is crucial to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments. Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled and discuss any concerns or questions with your surgeon. They will evaluate your healing, provide guidance on scar management, and advise you on maintaining the outcomes of liposuction. Following their recommendations and adopting a healthy lifestyle will help you enjoy long-lasting results.

Liposuction is not the only option for fat reduction and body contouring. In recent years, non-invasive alternatives, such as cryolipolysis (fat freezing) and laser-assisted liposuction, have gained popularity. These procedures offer less downtime and minimal risks compared to traditional liposuction. Consult with your surgeon to explore alternative options and determine the most suitable approach for achieving your desired aesthetic goals.

Liposuction can be a transformative procedure that helps you achieve your desired body shape. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can minimize the risks associated with liposuction and increase the likelihood of obtaining the best possible results. Remember to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, expectations, and any concerns you may have. With proper preparation, care, and maintenance, you can make liposuction risk-free and enjoy the benefits of a more sculpted and confident you.

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