At Dr Mohaghegh Plastic Surgery in Sydney, we understand the importance of making informed decisions about your body. Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body, helping to contour and reshape your figure. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of what liposuction entails, including its benefits, the procedure itself, recovery timelines, and what to expect post-surgery. Whether you are considering this procedure to address stubborn fat pockets or simply to achieve a smoother and more toned appearance, this guide will help you make an informed decision about your body transformation journey.
Liposuction at a Glance
Target Area: Liposuction can be performed on various body areas, including: Abdomen. Thighs. Hips and flanks, Arms, Back, Chin and neck, Chest (for men with gynecomastia), Knees, Calves and ankles
Time Off Work: Within 1-2 weeks (this depends on the patient and their work situation)
Total Recovery: Within 4 to 6 weeks, however this can change depending on factors including; extent of the procedure, the number of areas treated and your healing rate. Most swelling will reduce within 30 to 90 days post-surgery, but the final results can take up to 6 months.
Scar Positioning: This procedure typically has a scar measuring 3 to 4 mm, common placements of the scar are; wiithin the natural fold of the skin, areas usually covered by clothing and along existing scars (if possible).
What is liposuction?
Liposuction, or Lipo as it’s commonly known, is a procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body. It is one of several methods used to contour and reshape your body. Liposuction can be performed on many different parts of the body and is most commonly used for the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, arms, neck and under the chin, but also for the back, inner knee, chest, cheek, calves and ankles.
Who invented liposuction?
In 1975, cosmetic surgeons Arpad and Giorgio Fischer, developed the modern technique of liposuction. They were the first to introduce the blunt hollow cannula attached to a suction source and the criss-cross suctioning technique from multiple incision sites.
In the late 1980s, a dermatologist in California, Dr Jeffery Klein, revolutionized liposuction with the introduction of tumescent liposuction, where the use of large volumes of very dilute anesthesia which allowed liposuction to be performed in larger volumes completely under local anesthesia without the need for sedation or general anesthesia. This allowed liposuction to be performed under local anaesthetic with or without sedation with an excellent safety profile, principally minimizing blood loss and the risks of general anaesthesia.
This tumescent technique is used widely around the world and has transformed liposuction before and after changes that patients now experience.
How is liposuction performed?
Liposuction of larger, or multiple areas is performed under general anaesthetic. The surgeon will insert a thin tube (cannula) into the area to be treated and use it to suck out the unwanted fat cells.
Some liposuction procedures may require only local or regional anesthesia — anesthesia limited to a specific area of your body. Other procedures may require general anesthesia, which induces a temporary state of unconsciousness. You may be given a sedative, typically through an IV injection, to help you remain calm and relaxed. The procedure typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Your surgeon will then massage the treated area to remove any excess fat cells and blood clots.
Liposuction is usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home after surgery and resume your normal activities.
What are the different types of liposuction?
There are several types of liposuction:
· Tumescent Liposuction
· Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction
· Laser-Assisted Liposuction
· Power-Assisted Liposuction
The most common liposuction technique is tumescent liposuction, which uses a local anesthetic and large amounts of fluid to make the procedure much more comfortable for patients. In some cases, this type of anesthesia can also help minimize bruising and swelling after surgery.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) is another method that involves heating up fat cells with ultrasound waves before removing them through a cannula in order to minimize pain and discomfort during your treatment.
Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL), another popular option, uses laser technology to remove fat cells while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed. This option may be best suited to people who aren't comfortable with general anesthesia or who want a more precise removal process than UAL provides.
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) uses water pressure instead of suction during surgery; studies have shown it can be as effective as traditional methods but requires less recovery time afterwards due to its gentler approach to surrounding tissues.
What is Vaser liposuction?
Vaser is an acronym for vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance. This ultrasound technology uses powerful waves to disrupt the bonds between fat cells and is currently one of the most popular ultrasonic devices, and is designed to be more energy efficient and generates less thermal energy, hence decreasing thermal transmission to the tissues.
Vaser liposuction uses a combination of mechanical and thermal energy to safely break down fat tissue, which can then be removed by suction through tiny cannulas, or tubes. The ultrasonic waves force fat cells to rupture, allowing them to be removed through the cannula using high-speed suction pressure.
Where can you do liposuction in Sydney?
There are many options to choose from when it comes to having liposuction, and Vaser liposuction Sydney is available right now. It can be done in a hospital or a clinic, in public or private facilities, and you can even do it in day surgery.
Not all liposuction procedures are created equal, and it's important to make sure that the surgeon you choose is highly skilled. The procedure should be conducted by a surgeon who is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. You can check this information with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or contact Dr. Mohaghegh to talk more about lipo. A good doctor will also be able to tell you about their safety record and explain any complications that may arise after your procedure.
If you want to have liposuction done at the best of facilities, it's important that you research different hospitals and clinics. The right doctor will be able to help you decide which option is best for your specific needs.
What is the price range of liposuction?
The cost of liposuction dependends on the area to be treated and the type of liposuction you choose. The average price range for traditional liposuction is between $1000 to $5000, depending on the size of your body parts.
For example, if you want to undergo traditional liposuction to remove fat from your abdomen, then it will cost you around $3000 in Australia. On the other hand, if you want a tummy tuck procedure that combines with liposuction (to remove excess skin and tighten abdominal muscles), then it will cost around $5000 in Sydney or Brisbane.
Are liposuction and a tummy tuck the same thing?
While liposuction and a tummy tuck may seem similar, they are actually quite different. Liposuction is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon removes fat cells from your body by inserting a tube into the area and suctioning out the fat. A tummy tuck is also a surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin on your abdomen or waistline to create smoother lines and curves in this area of your body. In other words, it is possible to have both liposuction and a tummy tuck performed on you at once if necessary!
A tummy tuck costs more than liposuction because it's an invasive procedure that requires surgery (and subsequent healing time). Lipo costs less because it's non-invasive, meaning there's no incision made during the treatment—it simply involves injecting medicine directly into targeted areas instead of making cuts into them first; this reduces recovery time significantly as well!
Conclusion
Liposuction is a great way to reduce stubborn fat, but it's not always the right choice. It can be expensive and requires downtime. If you're considering a liposuction procedure, make sure you know all your options before making a decision. If you’re interested in having this procedure done, contact Dr. Mohaghegh and his staff today.