Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes, without causing significant skin scars, excess fat localized in some areas of the body. The greatest benefits are drawn when the fat that has to be removed is localized in the trochanteric region (upper part of the thighs), in the abdominal region (when it is constituted by a modest accumulation in the subumbilical region), in the inner face of the knee, in the submental region.
Physical activity should be restricted for two weeks at least. If the patient's work was such as to require weightlifting, to push, etc., it will take a longer recovery period.
Pre-Operative Preparation
It is recommended not to take aspirin or medicines that contain it for two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery. Aspirin can cause bleeding and thus increase the risk of complications. It is recommended to give up smoking for at least two weeks before the surgery. Some studies have proved that the incidence of complications is 10 times higher in smokers than in those who do not smoke. If you stop smoking 10 days or more before the surgery, the incidence of complications is equal to that of non-smokers. It is recommended to patients on oral contraceptives to stop taking these drugs a month before the surgery.
The surgery
Liposuction is performed in the operating room and can be performed under local anesthesia, general or spinal anesthesia, in some cases, epidural. When it is executed in spinal or epidural, the patient is till conscious while the pelvis and lower limbs regions become insensitive. The surgery involves the removal of excess fatty tissue; this is achieved through the action of a cannula connected to a suction device; the cannula is introduced in the fat which is localized under the skin through a small incision made near the area to be corrected; It is then pushed through the fat to reach the affected area. Here, with appropriate movements of the same cannula, exceess fat is crushed and simultaneously aspirated. During these maneuvers, together with the crushing of the fat, it also occurs the breakage of a number of blood vessels that, before their closing due to the action of a compressive elastic sheath that is affixed at the end of the surgery, lets spread into the surrounding tissues a certain amount of blood that might produce some bruises (ecchymosis) after the surgery. They are reintegrated within 15 days. As already said, at the end of the surgery, the patient has to wear an elastic sheath which must be worn for at least a month.
Post-Surgical Treatment
The day of the surgery the patient will observe bed rest ; on the contrary the next day she will get up and, unless complications, he can be discharged. It will also have to wear compression sleeves, continuously for about a month. After about 15 days after the surgery, the patient can have a massage on the operated area in order to remove any slight irregularities in the treated area, that can be formed as the healing process proceeds.
Possible complications
Complications that can occur during the procedure are of two types: those related to anesthesia and those related to the surgery. With regard to the first, they can be serious, but are rare in people in good general condition. Complications related to the surgery are also rare, which include: infection, prolonged bleeding, renal cardiovascular diseases for excessive bleeding. These complications, as already said, are rare and are in any case be approached without excessive difficulties in most cases. Among other complications there is a temporary impairment of lymphatic circulation in the operated area resulting in swelling. This situation is resolved spontaneously or with massages in two months. Another possible complication is the appearance, after healing, of hollows of the skin profile in operated area because of excessive scarring operation.
Resumption of physical activities
The patient can resume physical activity 5-6 days after the surgery, keeping in mind that for about 10 days she will have pain on the pressure on the operated areas. Sports will be possible after 3 weeks with regard to jogging, dancing, yoga, while for the most intense sports (skiing, tennis, football, basketball, sailing, swimming, scuba diving) will be preferable to wait at least four weeks. Driving is allowed after 2 weeks. Sexual activity after 2 weeks.