Advantages: It eliminates most of the subcutaneous fat almost permanently.
Liposuction makes it possible to eliminate localised excess fat radically and permanently which a diet or physical exercise cannot generally remove.
On the other hand, liposuction does not constitute a slimming method and its purpose is therefore not to control the weight of the patient.
Liposuction does not therefore constitute a treatment for obesity but seeks to sculpt the figure harmoniously and precisely.
The principle of liposuction (developed since 1977 by Yves-Gérard ILLOUZ) consists of inserting, from very small incisions, foam cannulae, with a round tip, non-sharp, perforated at their end with several openings. These cannulae will be connected to a closed circuit in which a negative pressure will be generated.
Liposuction consists in the elimination of localised exceed fat which generally persists despite a diet or engaging in sports.
However, it is not intended as a slimming solution and its objective is not to balance the weight of the patients: it is by no means a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, nor does it represent a means of controlling obesity.
Liposuction consists in sucking off the excess fat cells without trauma and in complete harmony. T do this the procedure (applied by Yves-Gérard ILLOUZ since 1977) is as follows: round-tipped foam cannulae, non-cutting, are inserted after tiny incisions are made. The end of these cannulae is punctured and connected to a closed circuit in which a negative pressure is generated.
Since fat cells are unable to reproduce, any oversized growth of adipocytes is eliminated.
Liposuction can be conducted in numerous areas of the body: on the arms, on the ankles, the calves, knees, thighs, abdomen, hips and, of course, the “saddlebag”. Thanks to technical progress, its scope of operation now also extends to the neck (double chin) and the contours of the face.
The use of fine cannulae has recently brought an improvement in treatment of the skin above the lipo-aspirated region, particularly for superficial liposuction: the skin no longer suffers from this procedure, indeed superficial liposuction causes a retraction of the skin which markedly improves the appearance of the skin.
Although liposuction has become a routine procedure in the last few years one should nevertheless still be aware that it remains a surgical operation in its own right. The use of a plastic surgeon having the skills and specific training to conduct this operation, particularly in the surgical environment, is essential.
The medical insurance policy does not cover the treatment of localised excess fat.
A consultation with the anaesthetist is scheduled two days before the operation at the latest.
A preoperative assessment is made beforehand to ensure that no contraindication will prejudice the operation.
To avoid any problem with healing the patient is advised to stop smoking for at least one month before and one month after the operation.
It is strictly forbidden to take drugs composed of aspirin for the ten days preceding the operation.
No drug containing aspirin may be taken in the days preceding the operation.
You must fast (no solid or liquid food) for six hours before the operation, according to the anaesthetic given.
Depending on the work to be done, liposuction may require a local anaesthetic, a so-called vigil anaesthetic (local sub-anaesthetic accompanied by tranquillisers administered intravenously) or a general anaesthetic, even a loco-regional sub-anaesthetic (peridural or rachianaesthetic).
The anaesthetist and surgeon will consult you to determine a suitable anaesthetic.
The volume of the fatty mass to be removed determines the hospitalisation time, which may vary from a few hours for a small operation (local anaesthetic given) to one or two days for a more serious operation (general anaesthetic given).
The technique used is determined according to the according to the individual case and according to the surgeon conducting the operation with the aim of achieving the best possible results. The usual procedure remains the same.
Short incisions of three or four millimetres are made, generally concealed in a natural fold to remain discrete.
The excess fat is treated superficially as at depth: foam cannulae suck off the fat avoiding the nerves and vessels thanks to a regular assembly of tunnels.
The quality of the result will depend in particular on a consideration of the quantity of aspirated fat cells and the quality of the skin above the area treated.
Once the operation has been completed a shaping bandage is applied, sometimes supplemented by a compression girdle or panty hose.
The operation lasts an average of one or two hours but since this depends on the volume of fat and on the number of regions to be treated, it may take twenty minutes or equally three hours.
