"Body"
Liposculpture

Many people suffer from local fat deposits that even resist a healthy life style with diet and sports. In women this fat is especially located around the hips, thighs, abdomen and upper arms. In men, it generally concentrates around the loins, abdomen, stomach and neck area. These problematic fat deposits might also occur on knees, face, ankles, back and buttocks. Liposuction, literally meaning: sucking away fat, is the most effective option. This is one of the most frequent treatments in plastic surgery. A treatment that has become even more easy and safe since the introduction of tumescent liposculpture.

Tumescent vibroliposculpture

Tumescent liposculpture is a relatively new method to remove fat in unwanted places. By using large amounts of fluid injected subcutaneously, the subcutaneous fat is liquified and becomes easier to remove. Fat is sucked out using thinner suction tubes than in the past. This method gives significantly less problems after surgery because less tissue is damaged. One step further is the recent revolutionary development of vibroliposculpture. The system used in The Baronie is called LIPOMATIC. A pneumatically driven handpiece is used where the tip of the sucking cannula makes a three-dimensional vibrating motion. The fat that has been completely injected with large amounts of moisture is easily removed with a minimum of blood loss due the vibrations of the canula tip.

Fat cells do not return once removed

However, the remaining fat cells can expand due to an increase in weight. Therefore it is vital that you maintain healthy eating habits and a way of living after the liposculpture as well, so your body weight remains stable.

Who’s a good candidate for liposculpture?

Liposuction is not a substitute for dieting. It is meant for people who have local fat deposits that do not respond to traditional weight-loss methods. The success of liposculpture is dependent on the elasticity of the skin. The elasticity decreases by ageing. However, excellent results can be reached in older patients. Cellulitis (orange skin) is a bad indication. The bumpy aspect of the skin cannot be improved by liposuction.

The first consultation

At your first consultation, the plastic surgeon will review with you the potential improvement that you can expect to obtain. He examines your problem areas and the elasticity of the skin. He asks for your medical history and decides where fat should be removed. The size and type of your compression garment are determined.

The preparation

You will receive extensive instructions in order to prepare properly for the operation. When using medications, you will be advised whether to stop your medication before surgery or not. You are also advised not to smoke in the days before and after surgery. If you have a cold, the treatment has to be delayed. It is necessary to arrange for someone to pick you up and take you home safely. When having an extensive liposuction of several areas, it is also recommended to organize some household help for a few days.

Anesthesia

The treatment takes place under general or local anesthesia, depending on the extent of the treatment areas. Liposculpture is preferably carried out under local anesthesia because the patient is free to move and some places are therefore easily accessible, which obviously benefit the result. This technique is comfortable for both doctor and patient. Some patients still prefer general anesthesia, which is also possible.

The operation

Prior to surgery, the surgeon marks the fat deposits that have to be removed. Then small, invisible incisions are made in the skin. The subcutaneous fat is injected with a liquid. Next, thin suction tubes suck away the subcutaneous fat. These tubes are attached to a device. High vacuum pressure is created and the fat is suctioned off. The duration of the operation depends on the amount of fat and the places where it has to be removed.

After the operation

After the operation you will be immediately given a special lipo-panty to support the skin and to restrict possible swelling. You must wear this for two weeks minimum. You will experience some stiffness and a mushy feeling in the treated areas during the first two weeks after surgery. The skin may feel numb and somewhat painful. This will disappear spontaneously. The incisions through which the liposculpture was performed are not stitched, so the remaining liquid that was injected can drain away. The fluid is pink and bloody. Because the fluid can drain away, there is obviously less swelling. This discharge of moisture can extend to 24 hours after surgery, but is totally harmless. The scars will be very small and are located on the least visible areas of the body. In the beginning they will still be red, but on the long term they will become almost inconspicuous. After two weeks you can resume your daily activities. You can also pick up your exercises very carefully. Extensive swelling may occur after liposuction. The lipo-panty supports and offers comfort. The total duration of the swelling is highly variable but it may last up to six months. The new contours of your figure will be visible from several days to weeks after surgery but you must understand that the final result takes at least a few months.
There are two check-ups scheduled after surgery. The first check-up takes place one week after surgery. The wounds are inspected and if there are any problems, you may state them at this time. An evaluation of the result is done at the second check-up, six weeks after surgery. Liposculpture may create a new contour line, but it does not mean that you should never monitor your weight again. A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercises are the best way to ensure a lasting result.

Complications

Complications from liposuction are extremely rare. Complications are usually restricted to bruising and swelling, which is quite normal. The main complications are not of medical nature, but of aesthetic interest. This concerns overcorrections or undercorrections. Overcorrections are harder to correct than undercorrections. The first solution is called lipofilling: fat is sucked away on one place and injected into another. In cases of undercorrection, some extra fat can be sucked away to improve the result. There is also a minimal risk of small pigment changes.

The result

An obvious change is noticeable only after a few days to weeks, but you should know that the result only gets better in time. The final result is visible after a few months.