Suction assisted lipectomy (
liposuction) may be appropriate for some
individuals to help flatten the abdomen and narrow
the waistline. This may
especially benefit those transitioning from male to female.
The procedure is a body contouring operation, not to be used for weight loss.
It involves marking out areas of localized fat excess in the abdominal wall and
along the flanks, or waistline. Solutions of saline mixed with local anesthetic
are instilled into this area to minimize blood loss and to facilitate the removal
of fat. The fat is extracted through very small incisions placed in the groin or
lower abdomen using small cannulae (metal tubes) connected to a strong
suction. Careful technique must be employed to try to avoid cosmetic
deformities of the skin such as wrinkling or dimpling.
The procedure is
performed under general anesthesia and is of relatively
short duration. It is routinely done on an outpatient basis at an accredited
surgical center. Postoperative binding is necessary to allow the skin to
naturally contract over the new body contour and to minimize the amount of
swelling and bruising that may occur.
Though this procedure appears to be relatively simple, it does require care
and experience on the part of the surgeon. The complication rate is small but
does exist. Complications such as bleeding and hematoma (a collection of
blood under the skin) are extremely rare, though some degree of bruising is
common. Infection is a remote possibility. Sensory changes may occur
temporarily but the possibility of them remaining permanently is again
remote. The risk of cosmetic residual deformity must be considered by each
patient. These can range from skin dimpling, wrinkling, or folding to the
presence of residual excess fat. Fortunately these are also rare occurrences,
especially in
liposuction performed on the abdominal wall and flanks.
Pain following this procedure ranges from mild to moderate after the first few
hours and lasting up to seven to ten days. There are exceptions of course. Pain
management is a part of the care of the patient and resolves rather rapidly.
Liposuction of other areas, such as the hips, thighs, arms, and buttocks can
also be performed if indicated by the presence of contour deformities due to
localized excesses of fatty tissue.
It is important that any prospective patient have realistic expectations of
what liposuction may accomplish for them. Again, it is not a weight loss
procedure, but a body contouring procedure. It works well in the lower
abdomen and often the flanks; it does less for the upper middle abdomen
though improvement can be expected there also.
Liposuction may be performed in conjunction with other operations such as
augmentation mammaplasty (breast enlargement) or other cosmetic
procedures.
But always it should be kept in mind that all of these procedure is not free
from side effects, so go to your doctor first and ask him that if you have a real
need of liposuction or not.