In a recent survey conducted by World Health Organization, it was found that more than 135 million people in India are obese. Many people try considering slimming and shaping down through maintaining a diet and working out. Unfortunately, sometimes our body does not react to natural diet and exercise while trying to cut down the fat cells. In such cases, liposuction surgery (fat removal surgery) becomes a popular way to combat the stubborn fat cell deposition in the body and helps to get a perfectly contoured and sculpted body. Read this article to get a clear understanding of liposuction treatment, its benefits, types, purpose, side effects, etc. so that you can make a decisive decision while considering it to get rid of stubborn fat cells.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction (also known as fat removal surgery, lipoplasty, body contouring, lipectomy, lipo) is a cosmetic (plastic) surgical procedure that is performed by expert surgeons to enhance the physical appearance of the targeted area of the person. It is the procedure through which excess fat deposition in the body is drained out to improve the shape of your body. Liposuction treatment can be performed on different parts of the body, including face, arms, hips, thigh, back, abdomen, etc. The fat removal surgery is performed on a simple principle wherein as the first step, the fat cells are broken down, and then a suction device (vacuum) is used to eject the fat out. It is an efficient aesthetic procedure which involves removal of fat from different body parts and distribution of the remaining fat proportionately throughout the body to enhance the shape.
Types of Liposuctions
There are multiple types of fat removal surgeries and you should consult your certified cosmetic surgeon in order to decide the best treatment type based on your goals. Each type of liposuction surgery has different result impacts and comes with its both advantages and disadvantages. While some liposuction procedures require local anaesthesia, for other treatments, a general anaesthesia might become a requirement. However, the duration of liposuction surgery depends on the goals and treatment area rather than the type of procedure. Understanding the basic differences among different types of liposuction is the first step towards a chiselled and sculpted body. Thus, different types of liposuction techniques are explained below:
Tumescent Liposuction
This type of fat removal surgery is the most commonly preferred variation of liposuction. To perform the surgery, the surgeon injects a steriles solution near the treatment area which makes the area a little swollen and stiff. This steriles solution is a combination of saline (helps in fat removal), aesthetic (relieves pain) and drug (causes constriction of blood vessels in the area). Further, the cosmetic surgeon makes a small incision into the skin and inserts an extremely thin tube (called cannula) under your skin. This cannula is further connected to a vacuum that suctions the excessive fat and fluids from the desired treatment area.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
This type of fat removal surgery is also getting popular these days because it provides precision. During power-assisted liposuction, a vibrating powered cannula moves back and forth underneath the skin. This liposuction is minimally painful and causes negligible swelling as compared to other techniques. This technique is mostly preferred when large volumes of fat need to be removed (considered while full-body liposuction is done).
Laser-Assisted Liposuction
As the name suggests, in this liposuction technique, a high-intensity laser is used to break down the fat cells so that it becomes easier to remove. The laser also coagulates and tightens the skin by boosting the production of collagen. This surgery is then accomplished by inserting a small laser fibre through a small incision under the skin. Then, a laser probe is used to emulsify fat cells in the desired area and then a cannula is used to suction out the liquefied fat.
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction
It can be both a stand alone procedure or can be used in partnership with tumescent liposuction. During this surgical procedure, a small incision is made through which a metal rod is inserted into the skin. This metal rod emits ultrasonic energy that rupture the fat-cell walls and breaks down the excess fat present in the treatment area. The fat cells are then suctioned out to complete the process.
What are the Benefits of Liposuction?
Liposuction or fat removal surgery is majorly aimed for aesthetic purposes and has proven effective results for those who desire for a perfect body shape. A few of the benefits associated with liposuction are enlisted below:
- 1. Removes excess fat from the body and ensures an aesthetic and chic look
- 2. Reduces cellulite from the body and improves its appearance
- 3. Boosts health condition
- 4. Cures obesity
- 5. Boosts confidence and self-esteem
- 6. Improves body shape and fitness
- 7. Promotes sculpting in the areas which cannot be reduced or impacted even through high intensity workouts
- 8. Risks of Liposuction
During the surgery: As liposuction is a surgical procedure, it is pretty apparent that complications can occur. However, the good news is that out of all the liposuction surgeries conducted across the globe, less than 5% of people experience nominal complications as listed below:
- 1. Reaction to anaesthesia
- 2. Infection
- 3. Thermal injury or burn (can happen due to manual movement of cannula)
- 4. Damage or exerted pressure on muscles, blood vessels, nerves, organs
- 5. Kidney or heart problems (because of injection & sanction of plenty of fluids in the body)
- 6. Like every other surgery, complications can arise while the surgeon performs the surgery. This is why it is recommended that fat removal surgery should be performed by expert surgeons who can mitigate the risks by performing the surgery with utmost precision.
After the surgery: Apart from the complications that can occur during liposuction surgery, there can be a few complications that can occur post-surgery. Although it is a extremely safe and risk-free surgery, if performed by expert surgeons, however, complications can incur if the patient had any previous health condition or has less endurance power:
- 1. Bruising
- 2. Accumulation of excess fluid in the body
- 3. Numbness in the treated area
- 4. Changes in skin sensation
- 5. Black or bluish skin appearance
- 6. Swelling (can be subsidised by wearing compression garment)
- 7. Poor or slow recovery of the wound
- 8. Poor elasticity leading to bumpy skin
- 9. Worsening of cellulite
- 10. Pulmonary edema or embolism
- 11. Deep vein thrombosis
If left untreated: If obesity is left untreated, it can lead to major health issues. Also, it may hamper your self-confidence. Excessive fat might make you conscious about your body, making you hesitant to socialise with people.
Facts of Liposuction
Myth 1: You can lose weight with liposuction
Fact 1: You can lose excess fat with liposuction and not weight
Myth 2: Cellulite can be treated through liposuction
Fact 2: Liposuction is targeted against unwanted fat and not cellulite. Liposuction is not recommended for cellulite treatment because it will lead to more obvious skin dimpling.
Myth 3: Older people cannot undergo liposuction
Fact 3: People of any age can undergo liposuction of any body part, provided that they are healthy and do not have any previous medical condition
Myth 4: Liposuction is only performed on women
Fact 4: Liposuction can be performed on anyone irrespective of gender. It has no specific relation with men or women whatsoever
Myth 5: The fat does not return after liposuction
Fact 5: Liposuction ensures prolonged results. However, if a healthy lifestyle and diet is not maintained as prescribed by the surgeon, the fat will start depositing again.
Myth 6: You have to wear compression garment for a year after liposuction
Fact 6: You need to wear a compression garment only for 2-3 weeks to reduce the swelling and to ensure your comfort and support
Myth 7: Liposuction can tighten the loose skin and a effective solution against sagging
Fact 7: Liposuction is used to get rid of fat deposits. It does not help in solving the issue of sagging. However, if you have a good elasticity in your skin, your shape will be retracted after sometime
Myth 8: Liposuction is painful and can cause complications
Fact 8: Liposuction is performed under the influence of anaesthesia, it is minimally invasive and is performed by expert cosmetic surgeons. Thus, the patient does not feel any kind of pain and discomfort
After the Liposuction Treatment
Soon after the surgery, you can expect a little swelling and bruising in the treated area along with numbness and minute pain. The surgeon will provide a compression garment that will help you in reducing the swelling while painkillers will help you to reduce the pain. A small drain will be left open near the treated area that will help you to drain out the extra fluid that is left in the body. A few antibiotics and medications will be provided to prevent the infection. Initially, you will be asked to rest so that the swelling reduces and blood clots are not formed.
Food and Medications
After liposuction, you need to alter your diet as recommended by your cosmetic surgeon. For example, if you are prescribed antibiotics after liposuction, start intaking a probiotic diet that includes yoghurt. This will ensure balancing your gut legume. Additionally, mentioned below are some of the dietary habits you need to follow post-liposuction to speed up the healing process and boost the desired results:
Increase the Protein Diet
As recommended by the surgeon, the main nutrient that you should consume after fat removal surgery is protein. The reason for this is after undergoing surgery, your body needs to recover and protein is essential for boosting the healing process. Protein helps to regenerate the damaged skin and tissues, heals the post-surgical wounds and reduces the swelling. A few of the healthy sources of protein that should be consumed after liposuction include nuts, seeds, chicken breast, fish, beans, legumes, leafy veggies, whole grains, etc. You should also consider taking protein supplements, including bars and shakes.
Stay Hydrated
You should focus on keeping yourself hydrated. Keep intaking plenty of fluids, including soda, water, sports drink, protein shakes, lime juice, etc. Staying hydrated will improve post-op swelling. Also, you will be able to see the desired results a little faster because water will help in reducing inflammation.
Intake Multivitamin
After liposuction, you should consider consuming a balanced diet that includes all the essential vitamins and minerals. This will boost the healing process and strengthen the immune system. Your whole day meal plan should include all five food groups, including vegetables, grains, fruits, protein and diary. However, many people who do not get enough meals throughout the day, should take tablets that have the right amount of micronutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin D and magnesium.
Precautions after Liposuction Treatment
Liposuction treatment is mostly an out-patient procedure (unless performed for the whole body). Thus, you will get discharged on the same day of surgery and the entire recovery process takes place at home. The surgeon provides a detailed guide after the procedure that will include a diet chart, physical activities and other guidelines to ensure best results. The basic post-surgery recovery tips that one must follow to reap all the benefits from liposuction are listed below:
- 1. The cosmetic surgeon advises that for at least 21 days post-surgery, you need to avoid any kind of strenuous exercises so that no strain is caused to your muscles and the healing process is not disrupted
- 2. You should avoid taking part in sports or indulge in interncourse until allowed by the surgeon
- 3. Eat a protein and vitamin-rich diet that includes a lot of fresh fruits and leafy vegetables
- 4. Increase the water intake. Drink plenty of fluids, including water, fruit juices, soups, etc. to keep yourself hydrated
- 5. Take enough rest and sleep for 8-9 hours in a day for boosting the healing process
- 6. Do not itch, scratch or rub the invasions made by the surgeon to insert the probe for fat suction. This can cause infection
- 7. As recommended by the surgeon, wear a compression garment for at least 2-3 weeks in order to subside the swelling and hold the muscles in the right position
- 8. Do not wear tight clothes as it can cause bruising around the incisions
- 9. Consume all the prescribed medications diligently along with the dietary supplements as recommended by the surgeon
- 10. Keep taking timely follow-ups with the surgeon who performed your surgery to boost the healing process and minimise the infection risks
Before the Liposuction Surgery
To prepare for fat removal surgery, the surgeon will ask you to do the following things:
- 1. Get all the vitals checked and tests done to evaluate the health status
- 2. Stop smoking a month before the surgery
- 3. Check for any kinds of pre-existing allergies
- 4. Nothing-by-Mouth (NBM) for six hours before the surgery
- 5. Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs or any kind of herbal or ayurvedic supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding or infection
Liposuction Surgery Recovery Time
The recovery time after fat removal surgery primarily depends on two factors, including overall health of the patient and the surgical technique used for performing liposuction. If you are good in health and shape, do not possess any medical condition and follow the instructions stated by the cosmetic surgeon diligently, you will be able to heal quickly and achieve the desired results as soon as possible.
The second factor that determines the recovery rate post-surgery is how invasive the surgery was. For instance, if you underwent power-assisted or tumescent liposuction which have high invasions as compared to other techniques, the recovery rate will be slow and you will require 4-6 months to completely heal along with 2-3 additional months to see the visible results. However, if your surgeon suggests laser-assisted or ultrasound-assisted liposuction, the recovery rate is mostly high. These procedures are minimally invasive and allow the body to quickly heal and improve collagen production by enhancing the skin texture.
Regardless of the type of liposuction surgery you are undergoing, you should discuss the recovery rate and result for each type of procedure with your cosmetic surgeon.
How Liposuction Removes Fat?
Step 1: As a first step, either local or general anaesthesia depending on the procedure is induced to numb the body part.
Step 2: Further, a tiny incision is made at the targeted area and a sterile solution is injected into the body part. The solution will shrink down the blood vessels, make the targeted area stiff and minimize the bleeding or trauma that can be caused during the surgery
Step 3: A cannula is inserted through the same incision and powered to break the fat layer. In a few of the liposuction techniques (tumescent and power-assisted liposuction), the cannula is moved back & forth and to & fro manually to break the fat cells. For other liposuction techniques (laser or ultrasound liposuction), a fibre is inserted that emits light beams or waves that liquify the fat cells.
Step 4: Once the fat is broken down, it is suctioned out from the body with the help of a suction device which is attached to the cannula.
Step 5: The patient is continuously injected with intravenous fluids before, during and after the surgery to compensate for the fluid loss caused during the fat removal process.
Is Liposuction Covered Under Health Insurance?
Most of the insurance companies in India cover liposuction surgery when it is indicated for medical purposes. However, if liposuction treatment is conducted as a result of aesthetic purposes, it might not be covered by many of the insurance parties.
If liposuction treatment is recommended for removal of fatty tumours, reducing breast size and has been documented by the surgeon in a prescription as a needful surgical procedure for the patient, there are high chances that liposuction treatment will be covered under insurance. A few corporate insurance companies may cover liposuction surgery under cashless insurance. At the same time, other private insurance companies may not cover it under insurance, considering it a cosmetic surgery.
In India, one of the best and safest places to undergo risk-free liposuction is Glamyo Health. You can claim for 100% insurance coverage for your liposuction treatment. Glamyo Health mostly accepts all kinds of insurance and has a dedicated insurance team that helps in the process of claiming insurance. Before undergoing the process, the insurance team verifies all the documents, fills the pre-auth form on patient’s behalf and takes the initial approval of the claim. Thus, ensuring hassle-free experience for all the patients.
Why Choose Glamyo Health for Liposuction Surgery?
Glamyo Health is a multispecialty healthcare service provider that offers best-in-class elective and cosmetic surgery at affordable cost. Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery which requires utmost precision of the surgeon and Glamyo Health is one such healthcare destination that has a plethora of expert cosmetic surgeons who perform the surgery with minimal risk. Additional benefits that one can avail of while undergoing liposuction surgery from Glamyo Health are enlisted below:
- 1. Detailed and free consultation with the doctor
- 2. 24*7 care buddy (medical coordinator) appointed for handling the hassles
- 3. USFDA approved medical procedure
- 4. Expert cosmetic surgeon
- 5. Advanced, yet affordable
- 6. All insurances and TPA accepted
- 7. No cost EMI available
- 8. Advanced day-care procedure
- 9. Free pick up and drop service
- 10. Stress-free admission & discharge
- 11. Pre and post diet consultation
- 12. Free post-surgery follow-ups
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s)
What is the best type of liposuction?
The laser-assisted liposuction technique is considered one of the best techniques these days as it involves minimal invasion, less pain and negligible bruising. During the procedure, a high-intensity laser is used to break down the fat cells and coagulate the collagen in the body and then a laser probe is used to emulsify the fat cells which is suctioned out using a cannula. The recovery period from laser-assisted liposuction treatment is also very less and involves minimal risk of infection.
What are the different kinds of liposuction?
There are multiple kinds of liposuction techniques these days. The major ones include tumescent liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
What is the newest type of liposuction?
The newest type of liposuction these days is laser-assisted liposuction. This procedure is minimally invasive and involves a shorter recovery phase. The reason behind this is it is minimally painful and involves minute bruising.
What is a 360 liposuction?
360 lipo is a liposuction procedure wherein the fat is removed encompassing all areas of the midsection 360 degrees around. The corresponding areas that are treated in 360 lipo include lower and upper abdomen, mid to lower back and obliques.
How long does liposuction last?
Liposuction is permanent if all the instructions prescribed by the cosmetic surgeon are diligently followed. Although there are high chances that you can gain weight if you do not take care of dietary habits. Thus, one needs to make specific lifestyle and dietary changes along with regular exercise as prescribed by the surgeon to ensure permanent results.
Does liposuction permanently remove fat?
Liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in the treated areas, thus resulting in permanent change of the body contour. However, if lifestyle and dietary changes are not followed diligently, there are high chances of regeneration of the fat cells, resulting in fat disposition. Thus, liposuction permanently removes fat and ensures prolonged results only if all the surgeon prescribed instructions are diligently followed.
Does liposuction hurt?
Liposuction is performed under the influence of anaesthesia. Thus, the patient does not feel any pain while the liposuction surgery is performed. However, soon after the surgery, you might feel slight pain, however, the same is administered with painkillers prescribed by the surgeon.
Does liposuction work on belly fat?
Yes, liposuction works effectively on belly fat. Through this cosmetic procedure, the deposition of fat cells in the belly area can be easily removed such that it gets contoured and sculpted.