Suction Lipectomy - Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure used to shape the body and remove unwanted fat from certain areas. Liposuction may be done in any of these areas:

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

The best candidates for liposuction are people of average weight. They should have firm, elastic skin with pockets of fat they want removed. Candidates need to be in good physical health.

The goal of liposuction is to remove pockets of fat. The procedure is not a method of dieting. It does not take the place of exercise and healthy eating in weight reduction. It is used to remove stubborn pockets of fat that do not go away with regular exercise and dieting. Older people may not respond to liposuction as well as younger people. Older people's skin may not be as tight. Those who have diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease may be at risk for complications during liposuction.

Liposuction is sometimes used for noncosmetic reasons to treat fat tumors such as lipomas. Enlarged breasts in both women and men may also be a basis for liposuction. In some cases, it may be used to lessen excessive underarm sweating.

How is the procedure performed?

The basic technique of liposuction begins with fluid injection. This injection consists of a mixture of:

This mixture makes it easier for the fat to be removed from the body. It also helps control blood loss and bruising and provides pain control. Next, a tiny incision is made through the skin. A hollow tube that is the size and shape of a skinny pen, called a cannula, is then inserted into the fat layer beneath the skin. The cannula is used to vacuum out the fat layer. The tube is pushed and pulled back and forth through the fat layer, breaking up the fat. The fat is then pulled up through the tube using a vacuum pump or large syringe. How long liposuction takes depends on the following:

A few new techniques for liposuction have been developed in recent years. These new techniques may help provide better results. Patients who have them often recover more quickly too. These techniques include:

The type of anesthesia needed during liposuction can vary quite a bit. A person may just need a local anesthetic at the site of the procedure. This may be combined with an intravenous medicine to make him or her sleepy. In more extensive liposuction, regional anesthesia may be used. In this case, the lower part of the body is numbed by an injection of anesthetic into the spinal area. Some people may need a general anesthetic for extensive liposuction. General anesthesia means the person is put to sleep with medicine given through an intravenous line.

What happens right after the procedure?

During and right after surgery, the person will be monitored closely for fluid loss. When the fat is broken up and vacuumed out of the body, fluid is also removed. This fluid may need to be replaced during and after the procedure to avoid shock. After the procedure, there may be some leaking from the surgery site. Sometimes a small tube is inserted to drain the excess fluid. A tight- fitting garment may need to be worn for a few weeks to control swelling and help shape the body.

The surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection. Pain, swelling, tingling, or numbness may last for a few days to a few weeks after surgery. The body needs several days to several weeks to take shape where the fat pockets were removed.

What happens later at home?

The person is asked to walk shortly after surgery to decrease the risk of blood clots in the legs, known as deep venous thrombosis, and to speed healing. Most people are able to go back to work a few days after liposuction, depending on how extensive it was. Any stitches are removed in 7 to 10 days. In most cases, moderate exercise can resume within a few days after surgery, but strenuous activity may need to be avoided for up to a month after the procedure. The doctor can advise on any limits needed. It may take 3 to 6 weeks for bruising and swelling to subside.

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

Liposuction is usually a very safe procedure when done by a skilled, experienced, and specially licensed surgeon. Any surgery carries a risk, though. Risks increase as more fat is removed, the area of fat is larger, or if the procedure takes a long time. Risks include:

Any increase in pain, bleeding, fever, weakness, or other symptoms should be reported to the doctor as soon as they are noticed.

Author:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:10/15/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:10/15/02

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