• Liposuction is not intended as a weight-loss technique, but is commonly used to remove stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise
• Resistant fat deposits, which may be an inherited problem, can be sculpted to create a slimmer profile
• Complementing other procedures such as a face lift or chin augmentation
• Reshaping particular areas of the body including;
  
  
  • Hips
  • Inner thighs
  • Outer thighs ('saddle-bags' or 'riding-breeches'),
  • The abdomen or stomach
  • The buttocks
  • The waist ('love-handles' problem in men)
  • Upper arms
  • Knees, ankles
  • Over-developed male breast
  • Double chin

• Most male or female adults can have Liposuction
• The best candidates are individuals of relatively normal weight who have excessive fat in particular body areas.
• Having firm, elastic skin will result in a better final contour after Liposuction.

Liposuction sculpts or re-contours the body and it must be stressed that the aim is to alter the patients shape, rather that his or her overall weight. It is certainly effective in the removal of unwanted bulges and in improving the silhouette, but it is not a method for the treatment of general obesity. Fat cells removed by Liposuction are permanently removed and fat can never regenerate in the treated area. However, one may still gain excess weight and fatty bulges in other areas.

Dr Zacharia prefers to perform the Liposuction procedure in combination with Vaser Liposuction due to its ability to help reduce swelling, bruising and possible skin retraction.

The Liposuction process involves the insertion of a slender, hollow metal tube of cannula through a small incision and by repeated movement, fat globules are separated and removed by vacuum suction through this tube. The area treated is injected with various solutions prior to insertion of the cannula, in order to reduce bleeding and to assist breakdown and loosening of the fat globules.

A guide for patients - illustrations reprinted with permission of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Inc., The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Mi-tec Medical Publishing. The complete pamphlet is available from your surgeon.

Incisions are small and are concealed in a skin fold near the site to be reduced, thus scars are virtually undetectable. Usually only one small incision is needed for each specific area.

The operation may be carried out under general, twilight or local anaesthesia, depending on the complexity of the case. Operation time will depend on the number and extent of areas treated.

• The length of stay in hospital will also vary for the same reasons, from a day case to one night.
• Pressure bandages or a corset will normally be applied immediately after surgery to control swelling and prevent any accumulation of blood or serum under the skin. We want to encourage the skin to attach snugly to the muscle wall. These may remain on for five to seven days after surgery
• Stitches will be removed approximately five to seven days after surgery
• Bruising, swelling and discomfort after the operation is a normal but temporary condition, the degree depending upon the extent and location of the area treated.

Post-operative care instructions given by the surgeon must be followed carefully and will include massage to the area and wearing of pressure bandages/corset.

• Skin that has diminished tone due to stretch marks, weight loss, or natural aging will not reshape itself to the new contours and may require additional surgical techniques to remove and tighten excess skin.
• Body contour irregularities due to structures other than fat cannot be improved by this technique. Liposuction itself will not improve areas of dimpled skin known as “cellulite”.
• Bruising may be apparent beyond the areas of Liposuction, partially due to gravity and you will find small incision sites at the point of introduction of the instrument used to remove the fat tissue.
• Infection, which can be easily treated and for which we prepare for with antibiotics.
• Numbness can occur in the area treated, most or all of which should disappear in six to eight weeks
• Some waviness in the skin surface can occur but for most people, this is a better situation than the existing fatty bulge
• The incision sites may also heal unfavorably.

Fat removal by Liposuction is one of the most exciting and effective treatments in modern cosmetic surgery and it produces very favorable results. Consultation with Dr Zacharia will ensure you have realistic expectations and remember that your final result will benefit from good eating habits and exercise.