LIPOSCULPTURE

The Liposculpture is a technique of plastic surgery in which the fatty tissue that is part of the skin is redistributed; this tissue that is found in the deeper layers of the skin (fat) is called hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue and every healthy and normal skin has always different percentages of the subcutaneous tissue. With the Liposculpture we diminish the skin thickness in the parts in which subcutaneous fat accumulates excessively as in the abdomen and back and is grafted in places where it’s deficient like in the gluteuses; to improve body contour. Always conserving the cutaneous integrity without aspiring the totality of the subcutaneous tissue and thus conserving a healthy skin without consequences and in which natural results are obtained without showing that the result is product of a plastic surgery (which is the ideal as long as we are seeking natural results). The procedure has a duration that various from 2 to 4 hours depending on the extension of the body in which work is going to be done; generally is carried out with epidural anesthesia in which the patient is conscious but sedated (similar to the spinal but more superficial without arriving at the spinal channel) or with general anesthesia. To define that part a preanesthesic evaluation will be carried out, in which the patient will meet with the anesthesiologist and will be explained in detail the type of anesthesia that most suits his case.

The anesthesia always will be administered by an anesthesiologist who accompanies the patient during all the surgery and recovery. The sizes of the skin incisions where the instruments are introduced are of a half of centimeter to a centimeter and are located in the folds of the skin or in the places that are covered by the underwear.

The incisions are sutured with stitches that do not require to be withdrawn, will remain covered by tapes for a two weeks period, which will heal completely in a period from 3 to 6 months after which remain almost imperceptible whenever they were not exposed to the sun.

REQUIREMENTS

Patients candidates to be submitted to any plastic surgery should take some laboratory tests and preanesthesic appraisal, which guarantees the good condition of the patient and not having factors that oppose to the plastic surgery. The patients will be submitted to a pre and post operating photographic study that is mandatory for legal purposes and appraisal of results. The patient should also be aware that this is not a procedure that is performed to be able to eat without restrictions and without altering their measures.

POSTOPERATIVE CHANGES

After a Liposculpture the skin suffers a series of changes until reaching its final result (more or less until the sixth month), going through the following phases:

After a Liposculpture the skin suffers a series of changes until reaching its final result (more or less until the sixth month), going through the following phases:

- In the first and second day is common the exit of some quantity of bloody fluid by the orifices made in the skin (generally in the navel, groin and back), as well as the pain is progressive in the areas aspired as back and abdomen. Also it is common to present dizzines, vomiting and headache in the first week, therefore the accompaniment of the patient is recommended at the moment of taking a bath in the first days.
- In the first week an alteration in the frequency of the intestinal depositions can be presented due to the rest, this inconvenience can be improve by increasing the consumption of fiber, fruits and water. Is also frequent the edema of legs and ankles in these first weeks.
- After the second day the edema (swelling) starts to increase to the point of being unable to wear the clothes they wore before surgery.
- From the second week the swelling and bruising are declining and begins to appear a filling under the skin. These fillings (cravats) are dispelled and some nodules under the skin are formed until the third or fourth week when they go diminishing until disappearing around the 4 months regardless of whether the massages are done or not. Accompanying these process alterations in the sensibility of the skin are observed (itch and areas of anesthesia).
- Then the skin continues being contracted until the six months when the final result is reached and the softness and skin smoothness recovers.

Complications. The Liposculpture is susceptible of the complications of any surgery and of some alterations or local consequences that generally are corrected by retouching, in case that are necessary to correct them, nevertheless the majority of the times are very discreet.

POSTOPERATIVE CARE

- Do not receive sun until the ecchymosis disappears, generally from 3 to 6 months.
- Using a rubber belt or a body of Lycra for a month as recommended by your plastic surgeon.
- Receive medicines and care ordered in the medical prescription, by the time indicated. -- Wash with soap and water area of stitches (usually covered with tape), dry and then clean with alcohol.
- The controls with the surgeon are carried out to the 5, 15, 30 or 90 days according to the preference of the surgeon.
- Eventually it becomes necessary to drain fluid accumulated under the skin (performed by the surgeon when he considers it is necessary)
- The post-operative massages are not necessary and are sent to patients who have been performed more than one Liposculpture, and the patient can receive the massages by the time, the quantity and place wanted.
- We recommend the use of hyperbaric chamber to improve the oxygenation of tissues and thus reduce the formation of spots, in addition to speed recovery by lowering the patient's convalescence time.
- The sports and labor activities can be resumed according to the degree of pain of each patient, generally in 1 week.
- The patient should carry an adequate diet for his weight, stature, activity and age. Therefore if there is an excess of consumption, the nutrients will accumulate in the shape of subcutaneous fat tissue as occurs in any person with or without Liposculpture. The professional who will guide you on the best diet to follow is the nutritionist.
- In case of any doubt, call your plastic surgeon.
- Call your plastic surgeon also in case of fever (over 38.5 Celsius degrees), in case of abundant bleeding, severe pain in the chest or difficulty to breath.