Liposuction is a great tool and a fantastic procedure. It is one of the very few procedures which has minimal scarring with massive results. Liposuction occurs in two different forms. There is suction-assisted liposuction which uses suction alone to suck out the fat through metal cannulas with small holes in the tip of the cannula. Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction uses ultrasound to liquify the fat. The emulsified fat has to be sucked out through a different cannula. I use both these techniques and feel that ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is much better in fibrous fat which is more difficult to suck. These fat deposits occur over the back, the upper abdomen and breast areas. I do not believe that in the softer fatty areas, that ultrasonic-assisted liposuction has any advantages. There is a little more post-operative swelling when using ultrasonic assisted liposuction, and the pain post-operatively might be a little worse than when using ultrasonic-assisted liposuction. Liposuction is best for sculpturing fattier areas of the body rather than for an overall fat reduction. Liposculpture is a new buzz word for liposuction of the superficial fat close under the skin. There is no magic behind this but similar and smaller cannulas are used and the technique is exactly the same as liposuction.

Cellulite is the name given to the superficial dimpling of the skin into the subdermal fat. This comes from the dermal ligaments tethering the skin to the deeper muscular fascia. Liposuction is not considered a technique to improve cellulite. The scars from liposuction are usually very small in the region of 4-5mm. The scars from ultrasonic-assisted liposuction are a little longer, often in the range of approximately 6-8mm. The reason for this is that the ultrasonic cannulas are a little larger than the suction cannulas. Tumescent technique describes the technique of injecting a lot of fluid with local anaesthetic and adrenaline (to decrease blood loss) into the fatty layer. I use this technique with all liposuction cases as it decreases bleeding and allows for better control of sucking the fat. Depending on the number of areas that are liposucked, hospitalization can be day only or overnight. A garment is worn post-operatively. This garment is usually left intact for the first three days then removed. One can then shower. The garment is then worn for the next 4-6 weeks except when showering. Liposuction is generally quite painful especially when one moves. The pain is worst in the first 48 hours and then subsides over about one week. Swelling is expected for the first 3-4 weeks. Final results are usually assessed after six months.
Post-operative Care for Liposuction Patients