Persistent Myths about Liposuction
Several well written articles have been published in weekly magazines about liposuction, everything about the operation have been discussed quite a lot in TV talk shows, doctors spend more time explaining to their patients how it is done and what to expect after the surgery, yet, if we consider the kind of questions today’s prospective patients ask about the procedure one cannot help but conclude that there is still a lot of things about Liposuction the public does not understand. Hopefully this article will further enlightened the people’s perception of one of the most common plastic surgery operations being done today.
We may also wonder why despite of the ready availability of information regarding surgical operations in multimedia and the Internet a lot of people still harbor wrong notions about the operation and its results. Plastic surgeons can only surmise that this could be due to adverse news on persistent complications, undesirable results and unfortunately, mortality that occurs in patients done by untrained or inadequately trained doctors, who because of sheer daringness have proclaimed themselves to be experts in Liposuction and its possible complications. The public beware! If you are careful in avoiding purchasing fake clothing, shoes, bags or jewelry, you should be more careful in avoiding fake surgeons.
The following are the more common wrong beliefs patients still bring up during consultation about liposuction.
Will the suctioned fat grow back? Are the results permanent?
One of the fundamental bases for liposuction is the hypothesis, first introduced by Bjorntorp and accepted by most plastic surgeons that fat cells in the adult do not multiply. Consequently, in the adult there is a fixed reserve of cell that can store fat. Once the fat is removed or destroyed by liposuction or by whatever means it cannot be restored. When the patient gains weight, the fat is stored in the fat cells remaining that were not removed by lipo. If the liposuction is done well, meaning, the removal of fat results in a proportionately sculptured body, and the patient gains weight, then the body becomes bigger but the desired curvy shape is maintained.
Since fat is not restored after removal, plastic surgeons are also very careful not to remove too much. Excessive removal of fat in localized areas results in permanent dimpling which is not corrected by regaining weight. The only way to correct this is to harvest fat from another site and transfer it to the depressed areas. This is called Fat Grafting and the fat has to come from the same person. Therefore whether the results are desirable or not they are definitely permanent.
What happened in patients who have to come back for a second or third liposuction?
There are several reasons why the patient regained their weight and fat deposits and have to be suctioned again. The most common cause is that the first liposuction was very conservative. This means that the surgeon left behind a significant amount of fat. This fat layer could still increase in thickness because of increase in size and not in number. Each fat cell has a potential of increasing its size by about 100 times. This means that you do not have to double your weight for your fat layer to double in thickness. Everybody knows that a mere weight gain of 5 or 10 lbs would readily add inches to your waistline
The other reason is that the doctor may not be familiar or trained, or may not have the equipment necessary to perform high volume suction. This means that even if there are fat deposits that still need suctioning the doctor will limit the surgery because they will not be comfortable if they perform suctioning aggressively.
Still another reason is that there are still doctors whose technique of liposuction is to do it part by body part. The reason is that they feel that it is safer to do it this way rather than doing it one time. Most plastic surgeons do not agree with this technique because it only does it come out more expensive but finer results are more difficult to achieve.
What happens to the overlying skin, will I have more wrinkles?
When fat is removed the overlying skin becomes loose and flabby. If the traditional suction techniques are used patients will usually need a tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty to correct the loose skin. With the newer Superficial Technique the fat near the undersurface of the skin is also removed, resulting in tightening of the skin due to the process of contraction. The skin will become wrinkled and loose specially when the swelling is gone but this improves gradually over a period of 6 to 12 months. If after this period the looseness is still not to the satisfaction of the patient, then a tummy tuck is done, this time only a limited procedure is perform. This means lesser surgery, faster healing and best of all shorter scars.
I have had several lipo procedures done and I am not happy because I still have bulges can I have another liposuction?
As long as there is fat to be removed, Liposuction can be performed several times. Although it is more difficult for the surgeon, newer techniques and machines (like the Power Cannula), make it easier and less tiring for the surgeon to produce finer results.
Repeat Liposuction doesn’t necessarily mean a more painful or longer recovery.
Doc, “napakamahal naman? “
Patients usually shop around for the right doctor. The price package should not be the only basis of their choice. First and foremost should be the training and credentials of their surgeon. I have always maintained that since Liposuction is a surgical procedure with its attendant surgical complications, this is done best and safest by a Plastic Surgeon, not by a dermatologist, not by the so called cosmetic surgeon, not by a general surgeon, and certainly not by a nurse. When pricing is considered avoid doctors who would ask for exorbitant fees, doctors who would charge you very cheap should also be avoided. Ask around and you will have a general idea what the average cost would be. Always remember to get the best value for your hard earned money. Know from your doctor exactly what you are paying for!
Several well written articles have been published in weekly magazines about liposuction, everything about the operation have been discussed quite a lot in TV talk shows, doctors spend more time explaining to their patients how it is done and what to expect after the surgery, yet, if we consider the kind of questions today’s prospective patients ask about the procedure one cannot help but conclude that there is still a lot of things about Liposuction the public does not understand. Hopefully this article will further enlightened the people’s perception of one of the most common plastic surgery operations being done today.
We may also wonder why despite of the ready availability of information regarding surgical operations in multimedia and the Internet a lot of people still harbor wrong notions about the operation and its results. Plastic surgeons can only surmise that this could be due to adverse news on persistent complications, undesirable results and unfortunately, mortality that occurs in patients done by untrained or inadequately trained doctors, who because of sheer daringness have proclaimed themselves to be experts in Liposuction and its possible complications. The public beware! If you are careful in avoiding purchasing fake clothing, shoes, bags or jewelry, you should be more careful in avoiding fake surgeons.
The following are the more common wrong beliefs patients still bring up during consultation about liposuction.
Will the suctioned fat grow back? Are the results permanent?
One of the fundamental bases for liposuction is the hypothesis, first introduced by Bjorntorp and accepted by most plastic surgeons that fat cells in the adult do not multiply. Consequently, in the adult there is a fixed reserve of cell that can store fat. Once the fat is removed or destroyed by liposuction or by whatever means it cannot be restored. When the patient gains weight, the fat is stored in the fat cells remaining that were not removed by lipo. If the liposuction is done well, meaning, the removal of fat results in a proportionately sculptured body, and the patient gains weight, then the body becomes bigger but the desired curvy shape is maintained.
Since fat is not restored after removal, plastic surgeons are also very careful not to remove too much. Excessive removal of fat in localized areas results in permanent dimpling which is not corrected by regaining weight. The only way to correct this is to harvest fat from another site and transfer it to the depressed areas. This is called Fat Grafting and the fat has to come from the same person. Therefore whether the results are desirable or not they are definitely permanent.
What happened in patients who have to come back for a second or third liposuction?
There are several reasons why the patient regained their weight and fat deposits and have to be suctioned again. The most common cause is that the first liposuction was very conservative. This means that the surgeon left behind a significant amount of fat. This fat layer could still increase in thickness because of increase in size and not in number. Each fat cell has a potential of increasing its size by about 100 times. This means that you do not have to double your weight for your fat layer to double in thickness. Everybody knows that a mere weight gain of 5 or 10 lbs would readily add inches to your waistline
The other reason is that the doctor may not be familiar or trained, or may not have the equipment necessary to perform high volume suction. This means that even if there are fat deposits that still need suctioning the doctor will limit the surgery because they will not be comfortable if they perform suctioning aggressively.
Still another reason is that there are still doctors whose technique of liposuction is to do it part by body part. The reason is that they feel that it is safer to do it this way rather than doing it one time. Most plastic surgeons do not agree with this technique because it only does it come out more expensive but finer results are more difficult to achieve.
What happens to the overlying skin, will I have more wrinkles?
When fat is removed the overlying skin becomes loose and flabby. If the traditional suction techniques are used patients will usually need a tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty to correct the loose skin. With the newer Superficial Technique the fat near the undersurface of the skin is also removed, resulting in tightening of the skin due to the process of contraction. The skin will become wrinkled and loose specially when the swelling is gone but this improves gradually over a period of 6 to 12 months. If after this period the looseness is still not to the satisfaction of the patient, then a tummy tuck is done, this time only a limited procedure is perform. This means lesser surgery, faster healing and best of all shorter scars.
I have had several lipo procedures done and I am not happy because I still have bulges can I have another liposuction?
As long as there is fat to be removed, Liposuction can be performed several times. Although it is more difficult for the surgeon, newer techniques and machines (like the Power Cannula), make it easier and less tiring for the surgeon to produce finer results.
Repeat Liposuction doesn’t necessarily mean a more painful or longer recovery.
Doc, “napakamahal naman? “
Patients usually shop around for the right doctor. The price package should not be the only basis of their choice. First and foremost should be the training and credentials of their surgeon. I have always maintained that since Liposuction is a surgical procedure with its attendant surgical complications, this is done best and safest by a Plastic Surgeon, not by a dermatologist, not by the so called cosmetic surgeon, not by a general surgeon, and certainly not by a nurse. When pricing is considered avoid doctors who would ask for exorbitant fees, doctors who would charge you very cheap should also be avoided. Ask around and you will have a general idea what the average cost would be. Always remember to get the best value for your hard earned money. Know from your doctor exactly what you are paying for!
No comments:
Post a Comment