The number of fat cells in the adult human body is constant. After puberty, the number of fat cells does not increase, but the volume of fat cells increases. This results in weight gain. Dietary habits and lifestyle are the most important factors in peoples weight loss. The way of lubrication can vary from person to person. It may occur as a regional increase.

Proper diet and exercise and a regular lifestyle are necessary to get rid of excess weight. However, there may be stubborn fat deposits that do not disappear despite this. Certain areas of the body such as the abdomen, waist, hips, outer and inner thighs, and knees are areas of fat accumulation that are resistant to diet and exercise.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the operation of removing fat from the body by absorbing fat accumulations in certain parts of the body with a special vacuum or special injectors. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery. Correction of the deteriorated body shape (contour) due to lubrication is provided.

In liposuction surgery, a prepared solution is injected into the lubricating area. Then, one or more 3-5 mm incisions are made in this area so that fat can be removed from the most suitable location. With the help of 3-6 mm cannula (tube-shaped) through these holes, the degreasing process is performed with a vacuum device or special injectors. In recent years, ultrasound-assisted techniques have also been used.

Although excess stubborn fat in deep layers is removed with liposuction, fat accumulations that cause contour irregularity can also be removed with the method called superficial liposuction or liposculpture developed in the last 10 years. The liposculpture technique has also become a method that gives definite results in removing skin sagging and eliminating stubborn cellulite. .

The classical liposuction procedure caused serious problems due to the fact that the cannula diameters used in the 1970s were quite wide and sharp and the vacuum devices used were not sufficient. The procedure can cause significant fluid and electrolyte loss in the body. There have been patients who lost their lives after this surgery. These problems are left behind today. With the techniques that have been applied for the last 10 years, liposuction has taken its indispensable place in body contour correction. As long as the aim is not weakening, but contour correction, it is an operation without any risk if the safety limit is not exceeded, with a well-chosen patient, with a well-applied technique in hospital conditions. Today, the safety limit is accepted as 2.5-4.5 liters in different sources. There are those who take more fat. In this case, measures are taken to complete the patients fluid and electrolyte balance, and sometimes a blood transfusion may be necessary. It has become possible to remove up to 28 liters of fat in a single session by taking the necessary precautions in patients with excessive obesity called morbid obesity.

Operation

The operation is performed in hospital conditions in the operating room and under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. A combination of local anesthesia and sedation (intravenous sleep) is preferred. Only local anesthesia can be applied in very limited small areas. The operation takes between 1-5 hours, depending on the condition of the areas where vacuum will be applied. Cannula entry holes are usually not sutured or 1-2 sutures are placed. Sometimes, special thin tubes (resistors) are placed in the areas by using cannula holes, this helps to drain the serum accumulated inside. Depending on the extent of the surgery, it is possible to leave the hospital on the same day or after 24 hours.

Post-surgery is usually comfortable. The pain is very minor and can be relieved with medication. At the end of the surgery, a special corset is applied to the vacuum applied areas. After the operation, the patient is dressed. The patient continues to wear the corset for 5-6 weeks. There may be purplish color changes in the vacuum applied areas. There may be swelling, tingling and burning sensation. These disappear spontaneously within 3 weeks. The scars of the surgery also become indistinct within 2-6 months.

Liposuction is a plastic surgery. It is absolutely necessary to apply to Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeons.

Liposuction can be performed on many areas of the body. It has become possible to vacuum fat deposits in many areas of the body such as under the chin, cheeks, neck, upper inner side of the arm, breasts, chest, abdomen, waist hip, thigh, inner side of the knee, back of the leg. It is also used as a complementary procedure in other body contouring operations (tummy tuck, breast reduction, etc.).

The entrance holes of the cannulas (metal pipes that perform liposuction) are usually 2-4 mm. The traces left behind are indistinct. The scars in this surgery can be ignored.

A maximum of 4-5 liters of fat can be removed without disturbing the patients balance and body functions. But there are also more areas by giving fluid and blood. It is the surgeons choice here. If the patients areas are large, surgery can be performed again at intervals of 3-6 months.