Traditional Liposuction

Lipo is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the world. Last year, over 300,000 people underwent the procedure in America alone. For twelve out of the past thirteen years, Lipo (also known as suction lipectomy or lipoplasty) has topped the charts as the number one cosmetic surgery in America. Lipo is similarly popular in many other parts of the world, including Europe, South America and parts of Asia.

However, Lipos are not always performed exactly the same way. While the basic idea of using suction powered hollow tubes called cannulas to remove fat from the body is same throughout all forms of suction lipectomy, a number of different techniques and a wide variety of variations exist. Some Lipo techniques utilize surgical lasers to help in the removal. Others use ultrasound waves. Still others use water to help wash away fat deposits.

In traditional liposuction, fat is removed using a blunt tube with one or more holes near the end. In traditional liposuction high vacuum is applied to the tube, drawing fat into the tube. As the tube moves through your tissue, the fat "breaks" off, and is drawn out through the tube. This procedure is known as "traditional" Lipo because it is the oldest form still in use today.

During the traditional liposuction surgery you will be under general anesthesia, so there is no pain or discomfort until you wake up from the traditional liposuction and begin recovery.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Liposuction

The technique and instruments of traditional liposuction will usually be recommended if the patient has large areas of fat to eliminate.

In these cases, excess skin may need to be removed and muscles tightened. This makes sense because the instrumentation is larger in traditional liposuction and can cover more ground, and these patients will already have incisions larger than those necessary for newer forms of Lipo.

Another pro for traditional liposuction is that it has been performed for many years and has a long history of success. Also, traditional liposuction is the most popular type of Lipo performed all over the world.

Sometimes newer Lipo techniques makes some people a little wary of it since there is not so much research about them and their possible side effects.

Some cons to traditional liposuction are:

• It is more invasive than newer Lipo techniques
• It leaves larger scars than newer Lipo techniques
• Since usually more fat us suction out traditional liposuction requires a longer recovery period
• Traditional Liposuction is not ideal for very small areas of targeted fat removal such as beneath the chin

Traditional Liposuction has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States, and is a relatively safe procedure when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.

Side effects of traditional liposuction are rare, but can include bleeding, blood clots, poor wound healing, infection, reactions to anesthesia, scarring, reactions to medications, and skin irregularities.

However, traditional liposuction has been recognized as a safe and effective method of removing localized fat areas by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Before The Lipo Surgery

As with all methods, the first step of traditional liposuction or any type of Lipo is the initial consultation. During this meeting, the Lipo surgeon has a chance to explain some of the specifics of the traditional liposuction surgery, the patient has a chance to ask questions, and they both can make sure they are on the same page about exactly what is going to be done. The patient will discuss which area he or she wishes to be affected and their goals and expectations, and the traditional liposuction surgeon can make suggestions or clarifications if the patient's requests are unreasonable, unsafe, or simply not possible. They will also discuss the price and, if necessary, possible financing options.

After the initial consultation, the patient can decide whether or not he/she really wants to get traditional liposuction surgery, in light of the information just received. If they decide to go forward, they will probably be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been made aware of that traditional liposuction can have certain side effects and complications, ranging from relatively harmless bruising to friction burns on the skin or nerves. Although traditional liposuction has been approved by the FDA as a "safe" procedure, surgery is never without some risk.

The physician and patient will then work together to determine the date of the traditional liposuction surgery, taking into account both of their schedules. In some cases, the traditional liposuction surgery could be scheduled for as little as a few weeks out, but it may have to be pushed back if the surgeon has a waiting list, the patient needs more time to arrange leave from their work or other commitments, or if the patient needs a longer period of time in order to make certain lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking or incorporating more exercise) to decrease the chances of complications.

In some case should the traditional liposuction surgery be scheduled sooner than two weeks out, as at least that much time is necessary for the patient's body to flush out any traces of certain medications they may have been taking previously that would interfere with the surgery. Also, the physician may prescribe antibiotics, multivitamins, or anti-anxiety medications that need to be taken for the full two weeks before traditional liposuction surgery.

The Day Of The Traditional Liposuction Surgery

On the day of the traditional liposuction surgery, the patient will be given a physical to make sure that his/her body is up to the procedure. If the patient has a cold or other illness-especially if accompanied by fever-the traditional liposuction surgery may have to be postponed, but in most cases everything is normal. At this time, it is common for "before" pictures of the patient to be taken in order to document the patient's appearance before the procedure. The traditional liposuction doctor and the patient will consult one last time about exactly what the patient wants done, and the doctor will mark the area(s) to be treated on the patient's body.

Prior to the traditional liposuction surgery, the room, table, and tools to be used in the procedure will be sterilized and patient will usually be given one more antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection-always a real, if small, risk when the flesh is opened. Then the targeted area on the patient's body will be disinfected. If the he or she is experiencing severe anxiety, a sedative may also be administered as well. Following all these preparations, the patient will be taken into the operating room where the traditional liposuction will take place.

The Traditional Liposuction Surgery Itself

In the operating room, most traditional liposuction surgeons will rub a numbing agent on the injection site and the anesthesia is administered to the patient. Next the traditional liposuction surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions, usually no bigger than one third of an inch in length. The small size of the incisions minimizes the length of the recovery period, and also the risk of scarring.

Through the incisions, the traditional liposuction doctor inserts a surgical tool called a cannula-essentially a narrow metal straw. The cannula is hooked up to a vacuum machine and moved back and forth through the fatty tissue. As it does this, it breaks up and suctions out the unwanted fat. An I.V. may also be used to keep the patient hydrated and supply additional medications if needed. The patient will also be hooked up to monitors that record his or her vital signs to ensure the safety of the traditional liposuction procedure.

After the fat cells have been removed, the traditional liposuction surgeon closes the incisions and the procedure is effectively over. Because a minimum of damage has been done to the body in most cases the patient should be able to walk and move without too much difficulty. They can usually go home the same day, although they should have someone else drive them home. They should also rest for the first days after their traditional liposuction surgery and avoid lifting any heavy objects or exercising until instructed by their traditional liposuction surgeon.

The traditional liposuction surgery typically has relatively few side effects, but some amount of bruising and swelling are fairly unavoidable. There is also usually some amount of post-surgical pain, but in most cases it is manageable through over the counter pain medication. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are less common but possible.

Patients should plan on taking a few days off work after their traditional liposuction surgery for recovery. Generally they should be able to return to normal activities within two weeks or less, although they should be sure to return to their traditional liposuction surgeon for follow-up visits as directed.

Comparative Risks and Benefits of Traditional Liposuction

One advantage of traditional liposuction is that larger amounts of fat can be suctioned at one time with this Lipo technique and therefore tends to be cheaper than some of the newer types of Lipo that require longer or additional treatment sessions. Its relatively long history is both a positive and a negative--the technology is less cutting edge than many newer forms of Lipo. However, traditional liposuction also is better understood because of its relative age: there is also a larger body of research about traditional liposuction's efficacy and possible side effects than about more recently developed methods.

However, there are still definitely risks associated with traditional liposuction. As with all types of Lipo, there is the danger of minor or cosmetic complications. Scarring and bruising are relatively common. There is also the possibility of a lumpy appearance or saggy, excess skin if too much fat is removed at a time.

While the potential for complications of traditional liposuction cannot be eliminated entirely, they can be drastically reduced. One thing you can do to help reduce risks is to make sure that you choose an experienced and skilled traditional liposuction surgeon. The quality of your Lipo will depend in large measure on the skill of your surgeon. Research different offices in your area, and realize that it doesn't always pay to go with the very cheapest. You're much better off going with someone that you know will do a good job.

Also, as with any surgery, you will want to have a certain base level of health going into it. The healthier you are, the better you will recover from your traditional liposuction surgery, which will also improve your results.