Liposuction & Vaser
Fatty deposits under the skin can be reduced and reshaped through this ingenious technique which was first described around 40 years ago. Liposuction is most often used as part of other procedures, such as neck liposuction in a facelift, or to the abdomen and flank regions in abdominoplasty. In male-specific liposuction, the procedure is performed in a way that preserves the natural masculine figure.
The main limitation of liposuction is not simply the absolute volume of fat cells that can be removed but rather being unable to predict how elastic the overlying skin is. If the skin is not sufficiently elastic an unattractive contour may result. Not every patient desiring liposuction is a suitable candidate for it and any concerns regarding unpredictability of skin shrinkage should be frankly addressed with patients at consultation.
Liposuction is not a replacement for good nutrition or exercise, but there are there are some cases where surgery provides an appropriate remedy for excess skin and liposuction enables the removal of excess fat.
At Wood MediSpa we also offer Vaser liposuction and liposculpture. At consultantion, your surgeon will discuss your areas of concern and advise on the best approach to achieve the results you desire.
HD Lipo
HD Lipo has the WOW factor in creating an athletic, sculpted body.
It helps to flatter your natural features. It can sculpt them in a way that exposes your existing muscle tone and detail, improving the shape, symmetry and form of the body. It results in this remarkable naturally athletic looking result – but it’s still all you!
Three levels of definition are available – basic, moderate and extreme. In order to achieve artistic harmony the right level of definition must be chosen to be in keeping with the overall physique of the patient.
Our surgeons are trained as Total Definers in the HD LipoScuplture techniques formulated by industry-leader Dr Alfredo Hoyos, and are up to date with the very latest surgical techniques.
About the Procedure
Liposuction
The area in question is marked before surgery. The choice between general and local anaesthesia, with or without sedation, depends on the size and position of the area in question and also the patient’s wishes. We use the tumescent technique which entails the fat to be removed, being first injected with an infiltate of local anaesthetic, hyalase (an enzyme which breaks the bonds between fat cells) and adrenaline to minimise bleeding. Deposits of subcutaneous fat are then removed using a special canula (tube) attached to a suction pump. Several litres of fat can be safely removed in a single session with minimal blood loss. Often several incisions are made around the same fat deposit in order to allow the tracks of the canula to intersect with each other and minimise the potential for ridging or unevenness. The edge of the area being treated is then bevelled off (so-called ‘feathering’) and a single suture or steristrip is applied to cover the wound. Specially made compression garments are worn for four to six weeks afterwards to help to sculpt the remaining fat into a smooth natural shape. Patients sometimes choose to purchase two garments, one being slilghtly looser-fitting for the first two weeks post-operation, the other being tighter for weeks three to six when some of the swelling has gone down.
Power-Assisted Liposuction
Power assisted liposuction (PAL) is a wonderful way of improving the efficiency and evenness of liposuction as well as encouraging shrinkage of the overlying skin. Using a reciprocating or rotating cutting head, large volumes of fat can be removed.
Vaser Liposuction
VASER® stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It uniquely uses sound energy – transmitted through small probes under the skin – to break down fat cells which are then removed by gentle suction. The difference between this technique and traditional liposuction is that it doesn’t require a vacuum pump or large syringe – leading to a quicker recovery time and less pain afterwards.
This technique can be used to remove fat unobtrusively and gently from any part of the body, including the face, neck, arms, buttocks and back. It can also be combined with Renuvion skin tightening technology, or used as part of a Liposculpturing approach.
HD Lipo & Liposculpture
HD Liposculpture is appropriate for individuals close to their goal weight with an underlying muscular/slim physique. This means you would have a BMI of maximum 32 for males. It can be combined with Renuvion skin tightening to achieve the most defined results.
FAQs
What are the scars like?
Tiny marks are left which are less than five milimetres in length and almost always imperceptible.
How painful is it?
The treated area can remain sore for several days following surgery but the pain is rarely severe and usually subsides rapidly. Patients are offered a short course of pain killers on discharge form hospital.
What happens after surgery?
Patients should limit their activity for the first few days after surgery as they will be bruised and sore. Specially made compression garments are worn for four to six weeks afterwards to help to sculpt the remaining fat into a smooth natural shape. This is absolutely crucial in order to minimise the possibility of irregularity. Ordinary lycra cycling shorts or vests are simply not adequate as they crease and fold very readily and can permanently indent the healing fat underneath. The small additional cost of a bespoke compression garment is only a tiny fraction of the overall cost of the surgery and is a worthwhile investment. After two weeks, patients are reviewed in the clinic and all steristrips and sutures removed. A final follow-up is performed at three months for post-operative photography.
What could go wrong?
Irregularities, lumpiness or asymmetries occur rarely and are usually prevented by wearing a compression garment. Bleeding, infection and seroma (collection of a quantity of clear fluid under the skin) are all extremely rare complications.