Liposuction
... re-sculpting the contours of your body.
Liposuction
... is sometimes referred to as lipoplasty or liposculpture, became popular in the 1980's. Fat was removed from areas of the body through a tube ("cannula") attached to a high pressure vacuum. Bulging areas were sculpted into more attractive contours. Since that time many different techniques for liposuction have been developed and are explainations can be found in the links below.
Who is the best candidate for liposuction...
The best candidate for liposuction is a person who is in good health and at a good weight who has firm elastic skin, and distinct areas of localized fat (bulges) that are disproportionate to the rest of the body. Liposuction is not intended as a substitute for weight loss, rather it is a way to contour areas of the body where fat tends to deposit.
How is the surgery done?
If the area for liposuction is very small, (the area of the palm of your hand) Dr Anna often will undertake it under local anesthesia in the office. Larger areas of liposuction are done under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Dr. Anna operates at the Virginia Ambulatory Surgery Center adjacent to Sentara Virginia Beach Hospital. The general anesthesia is administered by a Board Certified anesthesiologist, working alongside a nurse anesthetist, both of whom are part of the group Atlantic Anesthesia.
What are the possible complications?
All surgery runs the risk of bleeding, infection and scarring. There is little blood loss with this surgery and infection is rare in patients who are healthy and who do not smoke. The scars are tiny (typically 1/4 inch - they fade over 6-12 months). It is possible to have post operative irregularities - much more common in stretched or loose skin. It is important to review and understand all of the possible complications with your plastic surgeon.
Detailed information about liposuction can be obtained from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, as well as the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.