Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that is used to permanently remove stubborn areas of fat on the body and neck to improve contours. Liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure that lasts between one to three hours. This surgical procedure is one of the most frequently performed plastic surgeries across the world and is considered to be very effective at helping to remove those stubborn pockets of fat that diet and exercise simply can’t eliminate. These problem areas are often genetically determined.
Liposuction is also frequently used in conjunction with other types of plastic surgery procedures to enhance results. This is typically applied to the bra roll during breast reduction and also to love handles and waist with abdominoplasty. In some procedures, it is a crucial element for removing fat while preserving important structures like nerves in operations such as an arm lift.
360° lipo or circumferential trunk liposuction involves performing liposuction to the back, flanks and abdomen to reshape the entire body, narrow the waist and enhance the buttock shape.
Fat removed during liposuction can be collected and then returned to other areas of the body such as the breast, face and buttocks to enhance shape and volume in these locations. This is called fat grafting or fat transfer.
If you are considering liposuction, whether as a stand-alone or a combined procedure, you may have some questions about the surgery and just what types of body fat that it can address.
The two types of fat in the body
Broadly speaking, there are two types of body fat; subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. We all have some subcutaneous fat on our body, as this is the body fat that sits just beneath our skin. It is this type of fat that is impacted by weight loss and working out, and that liposuction is able to remove from the body. Visceral fat is the type of fat that surrounds our organs and can only be addressed with an improvement in lifestyle.
Who is the ideal candidate for liposuction?
Working with an experienced plastic surgeon, such as Associate Professor Mark Magnusson, is the best way to get an evaluation regarding your suitability for liposuction. During your consultation, he will evaluate your body and goals to determine what liposuction benefits that you might get from a procedure.
It is important to note that liposuction is not a good substitute for healthy eating and exercise, and is not a treatment for obesity. The ideal liposuction candidate is in good physical health, with a weight that has been maintained for a minimum of 6 months. Weight gain and even weight loss after liposuction can alter the results of your procedure, so stability at your goal weight is encouraged.
How does the procedure work?
When the bodyweight is stable, in the normal and overweight categories, the number of fat cells we have is stable. When we gain weight the fat cells increase in size and when we lose weight they shrink. Liposuction leads to permanent contour changes by removing a proportion of fat cells between the skin and underlying muscle from the treatment area which alters the contour.
Associate Prof Magnusson uses power-assisted liposuction and a process called S.A.F.E. lipo that involves three steps:
- Separation of the fat cells and infiltration of an anaesthetic to address pain and adrenaline to reduce bruising
- Aspiration of the fat cells using a thin metal tube
- Fat Equalisation ensuring that the thickness of fat left behind is as even as possible to maximise outcomes
Be sure to always follow the instructions and postoperative guidelines to ensure that you do your part to get your best outcome.