How Does Awake Liposuction Work?
Everyone has an ideal version of their body. It’s one of the reasons why we exercise, eat right, and take care of ourselves. However sometimes despite our best efforts, there can be one or two things holding you back.
Maybe you’re trying to get rid of love handles or a double chin, or maybe you want smoother and more toned arms. For these and other areas that have not responded to diet and exercise, liposuction can be a highly effective solution.
Dr. Bill Johnson and the team at Innovations Medical are leaders in advanced, minimally invasive liposuction techniques that remove fat from problem areas with less downtime. This easy-to-understand guide will provide knowledge on how liposuction works and answer key questions many patients have about this type of procedure.
What to Know Before Getting Liposuction
Liposuction, also called lipoplasty or body contouring, is a surgical procedure where fat tissue is removed from the body through a suction device. In liposuction procedures, the doctor uses a medical grade suction device that attaches to a thin tube with a blunt tip called a cannula. The goal of liposuction is to remove fat cells by creating thousands of small holes in fat deposits while leaving the overall “spiderweb” structure of collagen intact. This will cause the fat to shrink and create an overall slimmer appearance in this area. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss, and it is generally not safe to remove very large volumes of fat. Additionally, liposuction removes fat and can lighten skin. Sometimes other procedures are typically required to address issues such as severe loose skin, cellulite, or stretch marks.Where Is Liposuction Performed?
Surgeons perform liposuction in a wide range of locations, including clinics, surgery centers, and hospitals. Tumescent procedures using local anesthesia can be performed on an outpatient basis, while general anesthesia-based liposuction requires a hospital or surgi-center setting. On the body, this procedure is best used in areas where small deposits of fat can remain after losing weight. This includes:- The abdomen
- Love handles
- Lower back
- Chin and neck
- Buttocks
- Thighs
Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?
Candidates for liposuction should be in good overall health, without any major medical conditions or immune system problems that would impair healing. Patients should be at or near overall weight loss goals and have good muscle tone and skin elasticity. Additionally, good candidates for liposuction should not smoke or use tobacco. Talk to your doctor or cosmetic surgeon about whether liposuction is a good fit for you and your lifestyle. Patients may be advised to stop taking certain medications or supplements prior to surgery, particularly those that may cause blood thinning.Types of Liposuction
There are many different types of liposuction that have been developed due to advances in technology and surgical techniques. These include:- Traditional tumescent liposuction: This common approach uses a sterile saline solution combined with tumescent, or local, anesthesia, and a drug that helps blood vessels constrict, which is then injected into the area. This allows for an outpatient, “Drive-Through Liposuction.” The cannula is then inserted through tiny incisions and suctioned out through a small vacuum device.
- Laser-assisted liposuction: This type of procedure uses a laser to help break up fat cells. The SmartLipo procedure at Innovations Medical combines a laser with tumescent liposuction to suction out fat and even help smooth out skin.
- Vibration-assisted liposuction (VAL): This is an advanced form of power-assisted liposuction (PAL), using compressed air to move the cannula rapidly back and forth. VAL can be particularly effective in removing stubborn fat or larger volumes, while helping to avoid grooving and rippling which can occur in some PAL devices.
