Liposuction - removal of adipose tissue.

Lipoplasty, also referred to as liposuction, removes local deposits of adipose tissue in order to produce a smoother and slimmer body contour. The best results are achieved when the patient is on normal body weight with the excess adipose tissue located to certain areas, like hips, buttocks, thighs, knees. Lipoplasty is also effective in removing adipose tissue from the back, shoulder, face and neck.

Lipoplasty is not a substitute for any diet and physical activity, nor a method enabling the loss of several unwanted kilos. The procedure does not eradicate cellulite or flabby hanging skin. In fact the best outcome is achieved when the patient’s skin is healthy, elastic, with an ability to shrink evenly after the surgery. If the skin has already lost most of its elasticity, there may be a need for a subsequent procedure aiming at making it more tense, such as abdomen lifting, thigh lifting, buttock lifting, shoulder lifting.

Liposuction is usually performed under local anaesthesia (with the use of hypnotic agents), regional or general anaesthesia depending on surgeon’s decision. The surgeon will choose the best and the safest surgical modality depending on individual circumstances. Lipoplasty is usually performed with the use of a suction pump, which removes the excess adipose tissue by means of a vacuum method. In some cases the pump may be replaced by a small syringe. The technique in each case depends on individual factors which the plastic surgeon discusses with the patient.

After the procedure the patient should wear for several weeks constricting clothing or girdle in order to help the skin contract and to minimize swelling. The patient may be back at work 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure, depending on the extent of the operation.