Liposuction Fat Removal, Body Contouring

Liposuction, also known as fat modeling ("lipoplasty") or simply lipo, is a cosmetic surgical procedure in which fat accumulations in certain parts of the human body are suctioned with a special vacuum or special injectors and fat is removed from the body. While excess stubborn fat in deep layers is removed with liposuction, fat accumulations that cause contour irregularities can also be removed with superficial liposuction or liposculpture method. Approximately 400 thousand people undergo liposuction operations every year in the United States. The areas of application include the abdomen, waist, back, arms, chin (double chin), outer thigh, inner thigh, inner knee, breast (gynecomastia) and buttocks.

As a result of 30 years of developments in liposuction, it is believed that more fat cells can be removed with easier application, less blood loss, less discomfort and less risk. In addition, the removed fat can be used as a natural filler. This is called "autologous fat transfer" and in this procedure, the removed fat is injected to reshape an area of the body, reduce or eliminate wrinkles.

Liposuction is not a good alternative to diet or exercise. In other words, it is not a slimming operation, but a body contour correction operation. In this operation, the number of existing fat cells is also reduced by applying to areas of resistant fat tissue that cannot be removed from the body with diet and exercise. A good candidate for liposuction is usually over 18 years of age, in good general health, with an ongoing diet and exercise regimen, and with pockets of resistant fat in some body areas. The safety limit in liposuction operation is accepted as 4.5 liters on average. A higher amount of fat can be removed than this rate, but measures should also be taken to ensure the patient's fluid and electrolyte balance. If the patient has larger areas, liposuction can be performed again after 3-6 months.

Pre-Operation Interview

During the interview, your current complaints and your expectations after the operation are evaluated. You will be given detailed information about the details of the operation. It will make it easier for you to make a decision if you see pictures of patients who have been operated on before.

Preparation for Operation Time

Aspirin and derivative medications are discontinued one week before the operation (do not discontinue your regular medication without consulting your doctor)
It is recommended not to smoke for a period of time before and after the operation.
On the day of the operation, do not apply make-up, do not use hair gel, wear comfortable clothes and leave your jewelry at home.
Nothing should be eaten or drunk 6 hours before the operation.
You should be at the hospital about one hour before the operation.
Photographs are taken of the area to be treated
Target areas are marked on the body while standing
When you arrive at your reserved room, you will be given an oral medication if you wish and this will relax you.

Operation Technique

There are many liposuction techniques and devices available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

-Vacuum Assisted Liposuction (SAL):
In classical liposuction, a small cannula and a vacuum device are used together in this procedure. After the plastic surgeon injects a special liquid into the fat layer, he or she carefully moves back and forth in this area to break down and suction the fat cells.

-Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL):
Fats are broken down by ultrasound and removed with the help of vacuum.

-Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL):
Fats are broken down and removed with special moving cannula tips

-Water Assisted Liposuction (WAL):
With the help of a special cannula, the solution and the adipose tissue structure are turned into a slurry and removed. During liposuction, the solution is continuously added and the slurry is aspirated through the same cannula. With WAL, less solution is infiltrated and less edema occurs.

External Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (XUAL or EUAL):
XUAL is the application of ultrasonic energy through the skin, outside the body. It makes the use of cannula in the UAL procedure unnecessary. It is not a widely used procedure today and its effectiveness in clinical trials is still uncertain.

Twin-cannula (assisted) liposuction (Tcal or TCL):
The twin cannula (assisted) liposuction fat aspiration cannula protects the patient's tissue thanks to a tube-in-a-tube special cannula pair. The 1-2 mm vibration of the inner cannula inside the outer cannula provides superficial or subcutaneous fat aspiration while eliminating potential cannula friction burns.

-Laser Assisted Liposuction (LAL):
Fats are broken down with laser energy and removed with the help of a cannula. The biggest advantage over other methods is the skin tightening effect.

Liposuction operation is performed in a hospital environment in the operating room under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Special cannula entry areas are 2-4 mm in size and usually do not need to be sutured or 1 stitch is placed.

Anesthesia Type

Local anesthesia is preferred in small locations, and a combination of local anesthesia and sedation (intravenous sedation) is preferred in larger regional areas. General anesthesia can be applied in very large applications.

Operation Duration

The operation varies between 0.5 - 3 hours depending on the condition of the areas to be vacuumed.

Recovery Process

After the operation, you are dressed and put on a special liposuction suit. Depending on the size of the operation and the anesthesia applied, you can leave the hospital on the same day or one day later. Depending on the procedure, you can return to your normal work life between 2 days and 2 weeks. There is no significant pain after the operation, you will be given painkillers and this will relieve you. There may be edema, discoloration, numbness or tingling in the treated area, which will disappear spontaneously within 3 weeks. You will continue to wear the liposuction garment (corset) for about 5 weeks. Liposuction cannula entry areas are 2-4 mm in size and become indistinct within 3 months.

After the third week, you become more aware of the new shape the operation has given your body. Between 6 months and 1 year, the liposuction area takes its final shape.

Liposuction operation is a cosmetic surgical procedure that gives good and permanent results in general and can improve the mental health of the person.