|
LIPOSUCTION
- SPECIFIC SURGICAL RISKS
DESCRIPTION
q Suction
assisted lipectomy is a surgical technique to
remove unwanted deposits of fat from specific
areas of the body, including the face and
neck, upper arms, trunk, abdomen, buttocks,
hips and thighs, knees, calves and ankles.
Liposuction is not a substitute for
weight reduction but a method for removing
localized deposits of fatty tissue that does
not respond to diet or exercise.
Suction-assisted lipectomy may be
performed as a primary procedure for body
contouring or combined with other surgical
techniques such as a face lift, abdominoplasty
or thigh lift procedures to tighten loose skin
and supporting structures.
q
The
best candidate for liposuction are individuals
of relatively normal weight who have excess
fat in particular body areas.
Having firm, elastic skin will result
in a better final contour after liposuction.
Hanging skin 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 suction lipectomy.
Suction assisted lipectomy by itself
will not improve areas of dimpled skin known
as "cellulite".
There are a
variety of different techniques used by
plastic surgeons for suction assisted
lipectomy and care following surgery.
RISKS
q
PATIENT
SELECTION: Individuals with poor skin tone,
medical problems, obesity or unrealistic
expectations may not be candidates for suction
assisted lipectomy.
q
CHANGE
IN SKIN SENSATION:
Temporary changes in skin sensation
after suction assisted lipectomy occur which
usually resolve.
Diminished (or complete loss of skin
sensation) infrequently occurs and may not
totally resolve.
q
SKIN
CONTOUR IRRECULARITIES: Contour irregularities
and depressions in the skin may occur after
suction assisted lipectomy.
Visible and palpable wrinkling of the
skin can occur.
Additional treatments including surgery
may be necessary to treat skin contour
irregularities following suction assisted
lipectomy.
q
ASYMMETRY:
Symmetrical body appearance may not result
from suction assisted lipectomy surgery.
Factors such as skin tone, bony
prominence and muscle tone may contribute to
normal asymmetry in body features.
q
SURGICAL
SHOCK: In rare circumstances, this procedure
can cause severe trauma, particularly when
multiple or extensive areas are suctioned at
one time.
Although serious complications are
infrequent, infections or excessive fluid loss
can lead to severe illness and even death.
Should surgical shock occur after
suction assisted lipectomy, hospitalization
and additional treatment would be necessary.
q
PULMONARY
COMPLICATIONS: Fat embolism syndrome occurs
when fat droplets are trapped in the lungs.
This is a very rare and possibly fatal
complication of suction assisted lipectomy.
Should fat embolism or other pulmonary
complications occur following suction assisted
lipectomy, additional treatment including
hospitalization may be necessary.
q
SKIN
LOSS: Skin
loss is rare after suction assisted lipectomy.
Additional treatments including surgery
may be necessary.
q
SEROMA:
Fluid accumulation infrequently occur in areas
where suction assisted lipectomy has been
performed.
Additional treatment or surgery to
drain accumulation of fluid may be necessary.
q
LONG
TERM EFFECTS: Subsequent alterations in body
contour may occur as the result of
again, weight loss or gain, pregnancy or other
circumstances not related to suction assisted
lipectomy.
q
OTHER:
You may be disappointed with the results of
surgery.
Infrequently, it is necessary to
perform additional surgery to improve your
results.
q
ALTERNATIVES:
Alternative forms of management
consists of not treating the areas of fatty
deposits.
Diet and exercise regimens may be of
benefit in the overall reduction of excess
body fat.
Direct removal of excess skin and fatty
tissue may be necessary in addition to suction
assisted lipectomy in some patients.
Risks and potential complications are
associated with alternative forms of treatment
that involve surgery.
|
