Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that can remove excess fat and skin from various body parts. Before undergoing this procedure, you should understand the risks and side effects of this procedure. This article will discuss the procedures, the cannulas, and the recovery time. After surgery, you can slowly begin physical activity. However, you should be sure to limit strenuous activity for the first few days.

Procedures

Liposuction is a surgical procedure to remove fat from the body. A doctor will make small incisions and use a tube called a cannula to dislodge the unwanted fat cells. They will then manipulate the cannula to sculpt smoother contours. The procedure can take several hours depending on the area being treated. After the surgery, the doctor will provide instructions on how to recover from the procedure. The recovery period is about 7 to 10 days. During this time, the targeted area will experience some swelling and bleeding.

During liposuction, a doctor will inject a solution containing a local anesthetic and a drug called epinephrine to numb the area being treated. The solution will swell and firm up the skin, reducing blood loss during the procedure. Additionally, it will shrink the blood vessels, which minimizes the risk of bruising and swelling.

Cannulas

There are several different types of cannulas available for liposuction. Each has different benefits and disadvantages. An article published by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal summarizes these dynamic differences. One design is a tri-port bevel tip that efficiently removes the most fat particles. The advantage of this type is that it allows for easier passage through a fibrous environment. It also leaves little bleeding.

The device is made from polymers. The material is flexible, and can be shaped into a semi-circle. Generally, the shaft is made of plastic, and is able to be autoclaved many times without losing its properties. However, plastic shafts require some type of internal reinforcement in order to maintain their desirable properties. The internal reinforcement is comprised of “memory wires” which provide graded strength along the shaft. The wires are softer in the proximal portion of the shaft and are thicker toward the distal tip.

Recovery

Post-surgical care is crucial for a successful recovery. It is imperative to follow your surgeon’s instructions closely, including wearing a compression garment for the first few days after surgery. The compression garment will improve your post-surgical results and you should wear it for as long as you’re instructed to do so. Also, make sure you attend all postoperative appointments, especially those with your surgeon.

Recovery from liposuction typically takes between two and four weeks. During this time, patients may have drains placed in the surgical sites to collect fluids. A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to avoid any possible infections. In the days after the procedure, patients should take pain medication and limit strenuous physical activity. After two weeks, patients can return to work, but they must avoid vigorous activity for another couple of weeks. If they experience unusual pain, they should contact their doctor immediately.

Infections

Although rare, infections during liposuction can result from improper sterilization of surgical instruments. Post-liposuction infections are most often caused by gram-positive anaerobic cocci, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus group A. In one case, a gram-negative staphylococcus pyogenes infection was the cause of death. This case illustrates the importance of using an effective sterilization technique for liposuction.

There are various methods that can help prevent these infections, including using antibiotics before liposuction. Antibiotics are generally prescribed for a period of 6 days, and most surgeons now recommend giving them to their patients. Several types of antibiotics are available, including cephalexin, cefadroxil, and doxycycline.