Overview
Men, the same as women choose to have liposuction simply because they want to look better at the beach or on the job, or just to feel better in clothes. Most men who consider liposuction have usually tried to diet and exercise but have either been unable to budge their areas of concern, or have had limited success.
While liposuction is never a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, it can help you remove stubborn areas of fat that will not be shifted through diet and exercise alone.
Men are typically frightened to pursue cosmetic surgery techniques, usually because of peer pressure. But this sort of stereotyping won’t help people with genetic conditions or people who’ve worked hard to get rid of their body fat but can’t get rid of a few problem areas that remain. For them, a liposuction procedure can be the only option.
Liposuction is not intended as a substitute for weight loss, but rather as a contouring procedure. It is best utilized in a program of exercise and optimal weight maintenance.
At Dr Richs, the enRich Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Centre, liposuction and liposculpture are both performed by the ‘tumescent’ technique.
The term liposuction is generally used when a large amount of fat is removed from many areas of the body.
The term liposculpture is usually used when patients have only small areas of fat to be removed from the body, such as the love handles or the chin.
The term mega liposuction is is often used to describe a procedure that removes very large amounts of fat usually from several areas sometimes over a one or two treatment period.
The Procedure
The following is a brief outline of the tumescent liposuction procedure.
- Dr Rich in conjunction with the patient maps the areas to be suctioned
- If the patient requires ‘twilight sedation’ they are seen by their anaesthetist when they are admitted to the Day Surgery clinic
- If patients are suitable and do not require sedation, small liposuctions can be performed in our theatre at the Armadale rooms.
- Local anaesthetic is injected into the treatment sites
- Tumescent fluid is infused into the treatment areas (a fine infiltrating instrument tunnels into the fatty areas)
- Once the area is numbed, an aspiration instrument is attached to the aspirator machine to suck the fat globules into a canister.
- Dr Rich will suction until the appropriate results are reached, taking care to adequately shape the areas to achieve the best aesthetic results.
Assessment
Liposuction begins with a pre-procedure consultation. During this consultation a specialist nurse will discuss the liposuction procedure and show photos of past results. Liposuction is a medical procedure and as such patients must be informed of all the benefits, risks and expected results that can be accomplished in their specific case.
Dr Rich will also examine the areas to be treated and then discuss with you what the procedure can achieve. A nurse will then give you a variety of information sheets and a quotation on the procedure that we suggest you take home and read carefully before making any decision.
All patients who then decide to have a procedure at Dr Rich’s – enRich Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Centre usually attend another appointment prior to their procedure either to discuss their procedure further, or to have pre procedure photographs and a full medical history, including blood tests discussed. Patients will also be advised of any medications he/she may need to stop taking prior to the procedure being performed to avoid complications.
Prior to Treatment
Before surgery, a complete medical history is taken and a careful examination is conducted in order to evaluate your condition. During the consultation, Dr Rich and his nurse will describe the procedure and what results you might realistically expect. They will also explain any alternative treatment options and explain the possible risks and complications that may occur. Photographs are taken before and after surgery to help evaluate the improvement.
Recovery Process
The local anaesthetic injected into the tissue can remain there for approximately 12 to 24 hours following liposuction surgery. This greatly minimizes postoperative discomfort. After tumescent liposuction, patients are usually drowsy due to any sedation given. With the tumescent technique, there is usually minimal bruising and many patients do not require postoperative pain relief medication.
Immediately after the procedure, dressings and a special compression garment is applied to firmly support the areas and help remove the tumescent fluid. Patients should be aware there is usually leakage of pink-tinged fluid through the instrument holes from anywhere from 24 to 72 hours post the treatment depending on the areas treated. This is normal and helps to minimize bruising.
Recovery is usually fast. Some patients return to a desk-type job within 48 hours. Generally patients return to work after a few days rest, however this does vary according to the individual.
Physical exercise can normally be resumed when the patient feels comfortable doing so. Light exercise immediately following the procedure, such as a walk is beneficial to gain quick mobility.
Results from liposuction can be seen as soon as a few days to some weeks depending on the areas treated and further improvement can still occur for up to six months after the procedure.
Considerations
Liposuction does not replace a healthy lifestyle. Sensible eating and exercise is necessary to maintain your weight, which is the foundation of good liposuction results.
For some patients who have been overweight for a long time, the risk of poor skin elasticity may be an issue depending on the site of treatment. This is discussed prior to the procedure if there is a concern.
Risks and Complications
Although tumescent liposuction is a safe procedure, it like any other surgical procedure, it carries risks that must be considered. Infection, either at the incision sites or a rare risk of Seroma (fluid that remains in the tissue and becomes infected) may require either antibiotics or draining, are all possible. These risks are reduced by the anti-bacterial action of the tumescence liquid and antibiotics, which are given prior to and after the procedure.
FAQs
Is it safe?
Liposuction by the ‘tumescence technique’ was founded as a direct result of the high risks in liposuction prior to 1987. American dermatologist Dr Jeffery Klein, designed the tumescence technique in 1987 and it is now renowned as changing the way liposuction is performed worldwide and improving liposuctions safety rates.
hat areas can liposuction be used for?
- chin / neck / jowls
- arms
- breasts / chest
- back flanks
- abdomen
- waist
- love handles
- hips
- thighs
- knees
- calves & ankles
What are the limitations of liposuction?
Liposuction is not intended as a method for weight loss. It is used as a shaping procedure for areas where hereditary fat deposits have been resistant to healthy diet and exercise. The best results from liposuction occur in body areas where there is reasonable muscle tone and where skin has good elastic quality. In cases where there is a significant loss of tone or elasticity other cosmetic procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be necessary.
‘Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.’
