Surgery performed in order to achieve a better contour of the body and harmonious silhouette by removal of fat deposits that still stays after diet and exercise regime, through fat suction by vacuum technic.
As mentioned above, it is recommended for patients that present excess fat deposits, and it should not be used as a weight loss method.
Young patients, with better elastic skin, show better results for liposuction does not remove skin or tissue and thus the presence of excess skin after the surgery will depend only on those individual’s skin retraction capabilities.
Liposuction is done using the wet technique, with the injection of physiological saline solution in order to reduce blood loss on the fat that is to be removed.
Most common areas in which liposuction is used include the chin, arms, thorax, abdomen, thighs, legs, back, knees and buttocks.
Resulting scars from liposuction are very small, approximately from two to five mm, and placed on hidden areas of the body, such as under the tan line, inside the belly button or at the fold of the breasts. They are usually of good quality, being barely noticeable.
The excess of removed fat may be reinjected in the body, to correct any deformities or to enlarge the buttocks. The latter procedure is called liposculpture. Cellulite on the buttocks may be reduced with liposculpture.
Surgery duration takes from 1 to 3h and it may be performed as an ambulatory procedure or with a day hospital, under local, epidural or general anesthesia. Postoperative pain is well tolerated with the use of common painkillers. Some edema and burning sensation may on occur post-op, and the patient is required to wear a compression garment for approximately 45 days after the surgery. The patient is also required to undergo several post-op physical therapy sessions to reduce uneven, bruises and scars.
Most patients return to their normal activities after 1 or 2 weeks top, and should abstain from tuff activities for a 4 weeks period.
Maintenance of the results will depend on the diet and exercise discipline of the patient – weight gain shall be avoid.
Liposuction may also be performed by the traditional technique, with use of a vibrating suction device that, through regular lateral movements of the tip of the cannula, favors the removal of finer fat on areas of the body where liposuction and post-op physical therapy were already performed and show more rigid fat deposits.
The Federal Board of Medicine, sponsored by Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, have approved and passed the Bill 1711, in 2003. For safety purposes, it limits the volume of fat that can be removed in surgery.
All Plastic Surgeons must follow this Bill.
Mastopexy Breast Lift
This surgery aims to obtain the correction of mammary flaccidity, through removal of flaccid and excess skin, the placement of silicone prosthetics, or a combination of both.
There are many techniques that can be taken on the correction of mammary flaccidity and breasts lift. The most common procedure as far as incisions are racket shaped, vertical and inverted “T” or anchor.
The surgery takes approximately 2/3h, in the most of times as an ambulatory procedure. In some cases, due to the extent of the surgery, it is performed at a hospital and the patient may need to be admitted for a short stay. Epidural or general anesthesia may be used.
The patient must wear a bandage for 3 days post-op, and then wear an appropriate brassiere. Postoperative pain is well tolerated with the use of regular painkillers.
Some edema may appear on the breasts for 2 or 3 weeks, and the final result may take up to several months after surgery.
Most patients return to their normal activities after 1 to 3 weeks, though the patient should abstain from more rigorous activities for a longer period.
Mammogram and/or Breast MRI are requested (pre-op). This surgery does not impair patients of retaking these exams in later time.