Cosmetic Procedures - Liposuction/SmartLipo - Operation

Liposuction is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure in a surgical center setting. Dependent upon the number of areas to be treated and the amount of fat to be removed, it may be done under either general anesthesia, IV sedation, or local anesthesia. The most important aspect of anesthesia is patient comfort. The type of anesthesia used does not influence the final result.

The procedure is performed by making very small (mm or less) incisions in well-disguised natural skin areas around the area to be suctioned. A large amount of a very dilute local anesthetic with epinephrine (to constrict blood vessels and cut down on the amount of bleeding) solution is initially infiltrated into the suctioned areas (tumescent technique). With SmartLipo, a small fiber optic cable is inserted through which the laser light is introduced. This generates a path of heat which melts the fat and helps tighten the overlying skin. Loose fat liquid is then suctioned out after adequate melting has been done. The amount of fat removed is determined both by feel (pinching the skin) and a knowledge of the preoperative examination. After adequate fat is removed, the small incisions are then closed and a compression garment is applied either alone or over the top of special foam sponges. The procedure may take 30 minutes to three hours to complete dependent upon how many areas are suctioned.

The amount of fat removed in a single treatment session of liposuction depends on the volume of fat present and the extent of recovery that the patient is willing to undergo. Average volumes of liposuction are usually five liters or less in a single procedure. When done at this amount, the procedure can be performed as an outpatient. High-volume (greater than 5 liters) fat removal involves the administration of large volumes of fluid, extended operative times, and significant fluid shifts after surgery. When this amount of fat is removed, the patient should be observed overnight with the administration of IV fluids and pain control. Recovery is going to be much longer in these procedures and the risks associated with liposuction (infection, blood clots, fat emboli) also increase.

With in-office LipoDissolve therapy, the areas to be treated are marked and then injected with a very small needle. Each treated area requires a small injection every inch so that an average treatment session may require 25 – 100 injections dependent upon the size of the area to be treated. Redness and some swelling begins immediately after the injection session is completed. This will go away within one week after treatment.