Body Contouring

Liposuction and Abdominoplasty 05/30/03

Today's advanced body contouring techniques enable plastic surgeons to safely and effectively help patients achieve more aesthetically pleasing figures. One of the primary techniques used today is liposuction. Basically, this technique involves inserting a cannula (a tube-like instrument) through small surgical holes or ports in the skin and removing fat by suction.

Liposuction is not a substitute for weight maintenance, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. It is merely a surgical procedure that can be used to remove troublesome fat deposits -- such as "love handles" or "saddle bags" -- that no amount of dieting or exercise can effectively eliminate. To enjoy the full benefits of liposuction, an ongoing healthy diet and regular exercise are essential.

Early liposuction was performed with what is called the dry technique. In the late 1980s two closely related techniques, tumescent and wet, were found to be safer and more effective in most cases. In both techniques, a diluted fluid containing epinephrine and lidocaine is pumped into the area where fat deposits will be removed. The diluted fluid expands the tissue and the epinephrine and lidocaine help minimize tissue trauma, blood loss, and fluid shifts. The primary difference between the two techniques is the amount of fluid used. These improved liposuction techniques are more effective, safer, and provide the patient a faster recovery.

Internal and external ultrasound also are being effectively used in liposuction procedures. With internal ultrasound, surgical ports are created, fluid is pumped into the area, the cannula is inserted and ultrasonic sound waves are emitted from its tip. With external ultrasound, surgical ports are created, fluid is infiltrated, and ultrasonic sound waves are emitted from the outside, prior to insertion of the cannula. Both internal and external techniques rely on ultrasonic sound to rupture the fats cells making it easier to remove the fat cells through suction.

If we look at the options with abdominal contouring, liposuction is at one end and at the other is abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes redundant skin and may include tightening the abdominal muscles which make up part of the strong part of the abdominal wall.

With age or after childbearing, a woman's abdominal wall may become loose or lax. In a mini-abdominoplasty, an incision is made in the bikini line and redundant skin is removed -- usually beneath the belly button. In a more formal abdominoplasty, the incision is longer, usually extending along the shape of a French-cut bikini. Redundant skin below the belly button is removed, the abdominal wall is tightened, and, because more skin has been removed, the belly button must be dissected and reintroduced to create a natural appearance.

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