Liposuction

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, is a surgical procedure aimed at removing excess fat from specific areas of the body. This procedure is typically used to contour regions such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and other areas that do not respond well to diet and exercise. Liposuction is a popular aesthetic surgery that helps individuals achieve a slimmer and more balanced body shape.

Areas Treated by Liposuction

Liposuction can be used to reduce localized fat deposits in various parts of the body, including:

• Abdomen and waist
• Hips
• Calves and ankles
• Chest area
• Face, cheeks, chin, and neck
• Thighs and buttocks
• Inner knees
• Upper arms

Liposuction can be performed alone or in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures such as facelifts, breast reductions, or tummy tucks.

What Liposuction is Not

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure, a treatment for obesity, or a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is intended for individuals who are at or near their ideal weight but have stubborn fat deposits. If you have firm, elastic skin, liposuction will yield better results. However, if you have loose skin due to stretch marks, weight loss, or natural aging, additional surgical procedures may be necessary to remove and tighten excess skin. Liposuction is also not a treatment for cellulite.

Who is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Liposuction is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to meet someone else’s expectations or to try to fit an ideal image. You might be a good candidate for liposuction if you have localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise.

Ideal candidates for liposuction include:

• Adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
• Healthy individuals without life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals for body contouring

Planning for Liposuction Surgery

The success and safety of your liposuction procedure depend significantly on your honesty during the planning phase. You will be asked a series of questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle.

During your preoperative consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
• Previous surgeries

Your plastic surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Take photographs
• Discuss your liposuction options
• Recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of liposuction and any risks or potential complications

Do not hesitate to ask your plastic surgeon questions. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether it is excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

Preparing for Liposuction Surgery

Liposuction surgery may be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.

To prepare for liposuction surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation to check your health status before surgery
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications as directed by your surgeon
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery, as smoking decreases blood flow, impedes healing, and increases the risk of infection
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Steps of the Liposuction Procedure

The steps of a liposuction procedure include:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 – The Incision

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions. First, diluted local anesthesia is infused to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then, a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat using a controlled back-and-forth motion. The dislodged fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.

Areas Suitable for Liposuction

• Back and thighs
• Abdomen and legs
• Chest and abdomen
• Face and neck

Liposuction Techniques

• Traditional Liposuction. In this technique, the surgeon inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula under the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth to break up the fat cells, which are then suctioned out of the body using a high-pressure vacuum.
• Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL). This technique uses a vibrating cannula to break fat cells into smaller pieces, making it easier to remove the fat and speeding up the procedure.
• Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL). This technique employs ultrasound vibrations to liquefy fat cells. The ultrasound energy turns the fat cells into liquid, which is then suctioned out.
• VASER Liposuction. VASER liposuction is an advanced form of ultrasound-assisted liposuction. This technique is more precise and less traumatic because it targets only fat cells, sparing surrounding tissues.
• Laser-Assisted Liposuction. In this technique, laser energy is used to liquefy fat cells. The laser turns the fat cells into liquid, which is then suctioned out. This technique can also help tighten the skin.
• Water-Assisted Liposuction. This technique uses a pressurized saline solution to loosen fat cells. The water flow softens the fat cells, which are then suctioned out. This method is less traumatic and has a shorter recovery time.

When choosing among these techniques, your surgeon will recommend the most suitable one for you. Each technique has its own advantages and risks, so it is important to discuss these thoroughly with your surgeon.

Viewing Results

After liposuction, the improvement in your body contour will become visible once the swelling and fluid retention subside. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen is crucial to preserving the loss of fat tissue. However, significant weight gain can alter the results.

Postoperative Recovery

After Surgery

• Dressings and Compression Garments: Dressings will be applied to your incisions, and you will need to wear compression garments to reduce swelling.
• Drainage Tubes: If you have drainage tubes, you may need to monitor and record the fluid output.

Care and Instructions

• Medications: You will be given medications to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection.
• Specific Instructions: Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to care for your body post-surgery.

Important Considerations

• Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions: This is key to the success of your surgery.
• Take Care of Your Stitches: Ensure that your stitches are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, or motion during healing.

Postoperative Results

Long-Term Results Liposuction results are long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and overall fitness. While your skin will naturally lose some elasticity with age, most of your improvements should be permanent.

Swelling and Edema It may take several months for all the swelling to subside. During this time, your new body contours and improved self-image will continue to develop.

Visibility of Results As the swelling and fluid retention decrease, the enhanced body contours will become more apparent.

Additional Surgeries While good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some cases, additional surgical procedures may be necessary to achieve optimal results. Liposuction alone cannot tighten loose skin.

Risks of Liposuction Surgery

The decision to undergo liposuction is highly personal. You will need to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

Possible risks of liposuction surgery include:

• Anesthesia risks
• Bruising
• Cannula breakage
• Changes in skin sensation
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Edema
• Infection
• Irregular contours or asymmetries
• Irregular pigmentation
• Need for revision surgery
• Poor wound healing
• Skin laxity
• Swelling
• Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty techniques

All risks will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is crucial to address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Sometimes, additional procedures to reduce excess skin may be recommended. Special attention is required when more than five liters of fat are removed.

Cost of Liposuction Surgery

The cost of liposuction surgery in Azerbaijan can vary widely. The price depends on the experience of the plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon, the type of procedure used, and the clinic.

In Azerbaijan, the cost of liposuction surgery typically ranges from approximately 3000 AZN to 6000 AZN.