| Q:
HOW MUCH WEIGHT WILL I LOSE THROUGH LIPOSCULPTING? |
A: Since
this is a procedure to remove a certain amount of fat, there will obviously
be a reduction in weight, which varies with the volume of each patient’s
body. However, the aesthetic result is determined not by the amount
of fat removed, but by each specific area being made in proportion with
the rest of the body. Women with a protruding abdomen, or bulges in
other areas of the torso and/or in the hips and thighs, can benefit
from this treatment. The result can be predicted through the correct
evaluation of the amount of excess fat, its location, and the degree
of skin elasticity. Patients who are at or near their ideal weight will
achieve the best possible results, therefore we recommend that those
who are significantly overweight approach their ideal weight through
clinical or physiotherapeutic treatment before surgery. In some cases,
fat is extracted from certain areas, under aseptic conditions, and injected
in other areas that need to increase in volume. It may be partially
reabsorbed, and it is impossible to predict how much of it will persist;
hence special care is given to the treatment of this fat to increase
the chance of success.
| Q:
DOES LIPOSCULPTING LEAVE A VERY CONSPICUOUS SCAR? |
A: The
scars that result from liposculpting or liposuction are minimal, placed
in several sites of the body to allow access to the areas to be treated.
These scars range from 5 to 8 mm in length, and are planned to become
inconspicuous. The following is a description of the scarring process,
regardless of the type of surgery:
| Q:
WHEN WILL I HAVE THE DEFINITE RESULT?
|
A: A description
of the scars and the way they develop is given in the previous answer.
A few observations remain to be made regarding the treated areas, their
firmness, sensitivity, volume, etc.
In the
first weeks – or months – following surgery, these areas
may not only develop periods of swelling but also may have a few sites
of higher density than others. These sites are only perceptible to the
touch and tend to disappear after the third month. Lymphatic drainage
and specific body-shaping exercises performed along the following months
will gradually bring about the definite result. No outcome should be
regarded as definite before 6-9 months have elapsed post-operatively.
| Q:
CAN LIPOSUCTION REMOVE THAT EXCESS FAT FROM THE STOMACH AREA? |
A:
In general, yes. A quite natural result can be achieved, depending on
your type of torso (i.e. thorax, abdomen and pelvis). The thickness
of the panniculus adiposus (fat pad) that lines the body is also very
important in this respect.
| Q:
WHAT TYPE OF SWIMWEAR WILL FIT ME AFTER SURGERY?
|
A: That
depends on your own judgement.
| Q:
CAN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE? WILL A PREGNANCY IMPAIR THE
RESULT?
|
A: The
result can be preserved, by having your weight controlled by a specialist
during your new pregnancy. After having your baby, if you get back to
your previous weight and your skin does not present with flaccidity
or stretch marks, your silhouette will be maintained. It should be pointed
out, however, that a woman’s body changes its shape over time,
due to fat accumulation in several of its areas – mainly in the
abdomen, hips, and thighs. After five or ten years, the distribution
of body fat will vary from person to person. Nevertheless, the fat cells
that are removed from the treated areas are permanently removed, therefore
fat should be gained more evenly throughout the body and your new shape
will be maintained, even if you put some weight on.
| Q:
IS THE POST-OPERATIVE PERIOD OF A LIPOSUCTION VERY PAINFUL? |
A: Not
usually. A liposuction or liposculpting with a normal post-operative
period should not be painful, provided the patient follows the post-operative
instructions. Any occasional pain or discomfort can be resolved with
analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
| Q:
ARE THERE ANY DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SURGERY?
|
A: Post-operative
complications associated with liposuction are rare, when it is performed
under technical criteria. Every patient is appropriately prepared for
this operation, and the advisability of performing it in conjunction
with other surgery or surgeries is thoroughly discussed in advance.
The risk is neither higher nor lower than the risk associated with any
other elective surgery, or even a plane or car trip, or crossing a street.
However, it is important to consider that removal of large amounts of
fat may involve certain risk during both the surgical procedure and
the post-operative period. The consensus, in the Sociedade Brasileira
de Cirurgia Plástica – SBCP (Brazilian Society of Plastic
Surgery), is that the amount of fat removed per session must not exceed
5-7% of the patient’s body weight. Your surgeon will tell you,
in detail, the ideal amount of fat to be removed in your case.
| Q:
WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA IS USED FOR THIS SURGERY? |
A: Anestesia
geral, peri-dural ou local assistida.
| Q:
HOW LONG DOES THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE TAKE?
|
A: Dependendo
da extensão das áreas a serem tratadas, o tempo varia
de 1 a 3 horas, podendo ser ultrapassado em alguns casos. Entretanto,
o tempo de ato cirúrgico não deve ser confundido com o
tempo de permanência do paciente no ambiente de Centro Cirúrgico,
pois, esta permanência envolve também o período
de preparação anestésica e recuperação
pós-operatória. Seu médico poderá lhe informar
quanto ao tempo total.
| Q:
WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF HOSPITALIZATION?
|
A: The
length of hospitalization ranges from a few hours to one day, depending
on the extent of the suctioned area and the type of anesthesia (local
with sedation, epidural, or general).
| Q:
WILL DRESSINGS BE USED?
|
A: Yes.
Special semi-compression dressings to wear for 30-45 days on average.
| Q:
WHEN WILL THE STITCHES BE REMOVED? |
A: On days
4-7.
| Q:
WHEN WILL I BE ALLOWED TO SHOWER?
|
A: Usually,
the day after surgery.
| Q:
WHAT IS THE POST-OPERATIVE PERIOD LIKE?
|
A: You
should keep in mind that you will go through several phases before the
desired result is achieved. In answer 2, you have learned about the
healing process (until the 18th month); and in answer 3, you have been
given an explanation concerning sensitivity, firmness, etc. Some patients
may experience a certain degree of anxiety along this time period, caused
by the short-term effects. This feeling reflects their desire to see
results as soon as possible, and gradually subsides as they begin to
look and feel better. Remember, the definite result is only achieved
6-9 months after surgery. Therefore, however anxious you may be to have
the outcome before its due time, you will have to be patient while your
body resolves all those transitory effects that will inevitably catch
the attention of some of your friends who will not refrain from making
a thoughtless remark, like “IS IT REALLY GOING TO GET BETTER?”
Needless to say, any questions or concerns you may have should be addressed
with no one but your plastic surgeon. He or she will give you all the
necessary explanations to ease your anxiety.
Complementary
activities in fitness centers, with aestheticians or physiotherapists,
may significantly enhance the final outcome, as muscle shaping plays
a very important role in one’s new body contour.
| INSTRUCTIONS
REGARDING LIPOSCULPTING/LIPOSUCTION
|
PRE-OPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS:
There is some confusion between LIPOSUCTION and LIPOSCULPTING, which is usually conceptual, as basically these terms both refer to body contouring. Liposuction is used in Liposculpting for removing fat, while Liposculpting may also involve extracting fat from one or more areas and injecting it in other areas of the body.
