Liposuction: Everything You Should Know About Safe Fat Removal

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure designed to remove unwanted fat through minimal incisions. Despite its growing popularity, comprehensive information about this procedure can be scarce. Dr. Anmol Chugh, a cosmetic and plastic surgeon specializing in body contouring and liposuction, offers a detailed overview to demystify this procedure. This guide will cover everything from the types of techniques and technologies used to recovery, safety, and cost.

What is Liposuction?

At its core, liposuction is a procedure that removes fat through minimal cuts or incisions. It's a key part of body contouring surgery.

Types of Liposuction Techniques

Historically, various techniques have been used, each with its own approach to preparing the fat for removal:

• Dry Liposuction: This is the oldest technique, where no infiltration fluid was used before fat removal.
• Wet Liposuction: In this technique, a 1:1 ratio of infiltration fluid to fat is used, or a "super wet" ratio of 2:1.
• Tumescent Infiltrated Liposuction: This is the most common approach used today, where a fluid is injected before liposuction. This fluid helps to numb the area and facilitate fat removal.

Advanced Technologies in Liposuction

Modern liposuction benefits from advanced technologies that enhance safety, efficiency, and results:

• Ultrasonic Liposuction (Vaser):
• Laser Liposuction:
• Power-Assisted Liposuction (MicroAir):
• Suction-Assisted Liposuction:

The latest and most commonly used technologies are ultrasonic liposuction and power-assisted liposuction due to their effectiveness in providing faster recovery and better results.

Areas Treatable with Liposuction

Liposuction can target almost any area of the body with stubborn fat that hasn't responded to diet and exercise. These areas include:

• Chin
• Chest region (e.g., gynecomastia in men)
• Axillary fat (armpit fat)
• Around the breasts (in certain cases with minimal sagginess)
• Tummy region (can achieve 6-pack or 8-pack abs through abdominal etching)
• Flanks (love handles)
• Back and bra rolls
• Buttocks
• Thighs (including 360-degree liposuction of the thigh)
• Calves

Liposuction can also be combined with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck, especially when there is loose, hanging skin.

Anesthesia Options

The type of anesthesia used depends on the extent of the liposuction:

• Local Anesthesia: Preferred for smaller regions like elbow, axillary breast, armpit fat, or one to two limited areas.
• General Anesthesia: Preferred for extensive surgeries involving multiple body parts (e.g., chin, tummy, back, thighs). This is because extensive procedures under local anesthesia can increase discomfort and operational time, potentially affecting the surgeon's comfort and the final results. When performed in a proper setup with necessary investigations, general anesthesia is considered very safe and reliable.

The Recovery Process

Recovery from liposuction involves several stages and requires adherence to post-operative care instructions:

• Initial Discomfort: Patients typically experience discomfort rather than severe pain on the first day.
• Swelling and Bruising: Swelling and bruising usually increase on the second to third day post-surgery.
• Compression Garments: Compression garments are crucial and should be worn immediately after surgery. They significantly help in reducing bruising and swelling and shortening recovery time. It's recommended to wear them for 22-23 hours a day for the initial 3 to 4 weeks, with timing gradually reduced in consultation with your plastic surgeon.
• Activity Levels: 

Enhancing Recovery and Results

To optimize recovery and results, patients are advised on several aspects:

• Antibiotics: A 7-day course of antibiotics is typically prescribed.
• Diet and Lifestyle: While there are no strict dietary restrictions, no smoking or alcohol is advised. A protein-rich diet significantly aids in faster recovery.
• Creams and Ointments: Specific creams or ointments like Arnica may be recommended.
• Lymphatic Massages: These are highly effective and typically start around the 3rd or 4th day. Lymphatics are like draining channels that help remove accumulated fluid after liposuction. Massages stimulate these channels, leading to faster fluid drainage and recovery. Patients can perform these at home or seek help from trained professionals.

Safety and Complications in Liposuction

While liposuction has unfortunately gained negative attention due to past incidents, it is important to understand that when performed correctly, it is very safe. The key lies in choosing a good hospital and an experienced plastic surgeon. Safety should always be paramount, and cost should not be the sole deciding factor.

Safety protocols include:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Prophylaxis: Measures are taken to prevent blood clots during and after surgery.
• Fast Ambulation: Patients are encouraged to walk soon after surgery to promote circulation.
• Infection Prevention: Antibiotics are administered starting from the time of surgery.
• Bleeding Risk Reduction: Modern technologies like Vaser and MicroAir help reduce the risk of bleeding.
• Shortened Anesthesia Time: Efficient procedures and expert anesthesia teams help minimize the time under anesthesia.
• ICU Backup: A safe facility will have an ICU backup for any unforeseen dire consequences.

When all these points are considered and the procedure is done in a safe environment, the results are consistently good.

How Liposuction is Performed: The Procedure Steps

The process of liposuction involves several critical steps to ensure effective fat removal and optimal results:

1. Infiltration: The first step involves infiltrating the area with fluid. A power-assisted infiltrator is often used to ensure the fluid spreads evenly and helps break down fat cells. This process, known as simultaneous subcutaneous infiltration, also helps achieve hemostasis (stopping blood flow) and reduces the chances of hematoma. A specific fluid is used for this purpose.
2. Waiting Period: After infiltration, a short waiting period allows the fluid to take effect.
3. Ultrasonic Liposuction (Melting Fat): Next, ultrasonic liposuction (Vaser) is used to melt the fat through the bubble effect. It's crucial to use lower energy and avoid continuous mode for superficial liposuction to prevent burns. Care is taken to protect port sites to prevent burns and recovery problems. These steps are all performed through small, well-hidden incisions.
4. Power-Assisted Liposuction (Fat Removal): After melting, power-assisted liposuction (MicroAir) is employed for faster fat removal, even for tough or fibrous fat.
5. Drainage: For smaller areas, incisions may sometimes be left open to allow fluid to drain naturally. For larger procedures like a tummy tuck combined with liposuction, a small drain may be placed for a day to ensure fluid removal. Similarly, for thigh or arm liposuction, lower incisions might be left open to facilitate fluid drainage.
6. Layer-Specific Treatment: It is critical for plastic surgeons to understand that fat exists in two layers: deep and superficial. Infiltration fluid is placed in both layers. When using ultrasonic liposuction, it is typically performed in the superficial layer first, followed by the deep layer. Conversely, with power-assisted liposuction, the process often starts with the deep portion first, then moves to the superficial layer, which can be used for etching.
7. Cannula Selection: Various sizes and types of cannulas (e.g., 3mm, 4mm, basket size, angled) are used to ensure proper coverage of every region without creating deformities or indentations from excessive fat removal in one spot. Proper use of technology is essential to prevent problems.

Cost of Liposuction

The cost of liposuction varies depending on the area being treated and the extent of the procedure (e.g., 360-degree liposuction, redo liposuction). Prices can range significantly, from around $2500 to $9500. When considering cost, always inquire about what is included in the package, such as follow-up care. It's also advisable to check patient testimonials and reviews. If you're unsure, it's recommended to take one or two consultations before making a decision.

Disclaimer – 

The content shared in this blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Individual cases vary, and all medical decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

Engaging with this content or contacting us does not establish a doctor–patient relationship with Dr. Anmol Chugh or Health Voyage Global.

We are committed to providing accurate guidance, but final clinical decisions must rest with your treating specialist.