Liposuction Procedure in Nigeria

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction goes by many names; liposculpture suction, lipectomy, lipoplasty, fat removal surgery, etc. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that deals with the removal of excess fat from the body. When you can’t remove certain fats from the body using exercise and dieting, liposuction can become your best bet. The fats in question are located around your hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, chin, back, and arms. A plastic surgeon is a specialist that is versed in this type of surgical procedure.

Liposuction is done not only to remove excess fat but also to improve the shape of the body, hence the reason it is classified as cosmetic surgery. Generally, it has been termed by the public as a weight-loss treatment or obesity treatment. It is not so as certain conditions have to be met by the patient before the procedure can be carried out. There are risks and complications associated with the procedure. Also, the cellulite (collection of fat beneath your skin causing a lumpy look) can’t be removed nor will it remove stretch marks. If a healthy lifestyle is not lived after, it can cause the remaining fats to grow bigger.

Purpose of Liposuction?

Generally, you need to be in good health, be an adult within 30% of ideal weight, have firm and elastic skin and good muscle, be void of life-threatening medical conditions and illness (e.g. diabetes, heart diseases, weak immune system), be a non-smoker.

 An ideal weight is a measure of Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the CDC, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you fall under the underweight range. If BMI is 18.5 - <25, you fall under the healthy weight range. If It is within the range of 25.0 - <30, you fall under the overweight range. If it is 30.0 and higher, it falls under the obesity range.

Expectations

What to expect when you are expecting can be a function of what you did before going for the surgery. What you will need to do before the surgery is have a consultation with the surgeon that will be responsible for the surgery. Consultation with him/her will lean towards what you aim to achieve with the procedure, the available options, benefits and risks, your medical history, allergies you have, and certain medication you are currently on. If there is a conscious effort by the patient to go ahead, the surgeon will give you directives on how to prepare for the surgery. Now comes the expectations:

• A liposuction is a form of daycare surgery. That means you go home on the same day of surgery. Have someone to take you home after the surgery. If a lot of fat is removed, you might need to be admitted for the night.
• Before the procedure starts, the surgeon will mark out the areas of the body to be operated on. A photo session for before and after comparison will be done.
• General anesthesia will be administered, that is, you will be asleep throughout the procedure or local anesthesia will be given, which means, you will be awake but not feel the pain.

After the procedure is completed, some things will be advised to reduce the pain such as:

• Take all prescribed drugs including, pain alleviating drugs.
• Appropriate rest
• Recommended water consumption.
• Abstaining from salt
• Wear recommended clothes

Risk Associated with Liposuction

Every surgery comes with risk but the success rate according to RealSelf.com states at being 91% worth it. The risk associated with the procedure are as follows:

• Wounds or injuries to other organs
• Burns from ultrasound probes
• Nerve damage
• Shock
• Death
• Anesthesia complications
• Fat clots
• Fluid leaking under the skin
• Swelling
• Infections
• Much fluids in the lungs
• Heart and kidney problems

The Results of Liposuction

Don’t fret if after the surgery you don’t see the results. You might look bigger in operated areas or look as if you gained weight after the procedure. The reason it looks as so is because of fluid retention and swelling. As swelling reduces, you might begin to see the results. The outcome is progressive as it can take from 1 to 3 months to see the desired outcome. During recovery, you can notice some loose skin which is normal. This can become firm over time. This is not always the case as certain factors like age and how much fat was removed can influence the tightening of loose skin. Another surgery may be done to correct it.

Maintaining the Results of  Liposuction

Liposuction can’t remove entirely the cellulite, the fat cell, but can remove some excess fat in the affected region. The fat can come back again but if the outcome of the procedure is not maintained, it will cause the remaining fat cell (cellulite) to grow bigger. You can play a role to maintain the outcome for a long time. Maintain a healthy diet, drink enough water, and undergo regular exercise. Committing to a long-term healthy lifestyle makes for prolonged maintenance of the new looks.

Reference

What are the Benefits and Risks of Liposuction

Is Liposuction Safe

Liposuction: What You Should Know