5 Liposuction Challenges Surgeons Must Face
A plastic surgeon will face several challenges when performing liposuction on a patient. These include pain reduction, balanced contouring and fat removal, as well as meeting high client standards and expectations.
Even though it is one of the most commonly performed procedures,
liposuction is a very individualized surgery. Each body is different and therefore the sculpting methods used to get the best possible result must vary as well. While surgery isn't one-size-fits-all, regardless of the patient, the surgeon has the same basic challenges to work against. Here are five of the most important considerations a surgeon must face during a procedure.
1. Minimize Pain
It doesn't matter how fantastic the results are if the process was unbearable. Recently, recovery from surgical procedures as well as risks has greatly decreased as techniques have improved. Patients are reporting less discomfort and fewer complications, which next to aesthetics, is the main goal of any surgical procedure. With the advent and now widespread use of laser-assisted liposuction methods, incisions are smaller, there are fewer stitches, and fat is more easily removed from the body without disturbing surrounding tissue. That all adds up to less post-surgical pain as well as reduced rates of infection, bleeding, and other potential side effects.
2. Even Contouring
One of the most difficult things to achieve with liposuction is an even, smoothly sculpted contour. This requires a very precise eye and steady hand to remove the fat cells in just the right areas at the correct volume. Mistakes can lead to dimpling or raised lumps, which will end up looking more like cellulite than the sleek figure most people desire. Although even the best surgeon can't guarantee perfection, those with finely honed skills often produce more natural results.
3. Extract Correct Volume
Similar to contouring; a surgeon must remove the correct amount of fat cells to ensure good results. There are some serious health concerns and surgical risks associated with large volume removal, which is why this method is not offered at most clinics. Removing excess fat will cause imbalance, inconsistencies in texture, and even wrinkling of the surface skin. The patient is also put at a greater risk for internal bleeding. A conservative approach; however, will result in minimal contouring differences before and after surgery.
4. Smooth Extraction
It is important for the plastic surgeon not to interfere or damage surrounding tissues or blood vessels when removing fat from the body. This is one of the main causes for complications. Harming other tissues can also result in excessive bruising, swelling, and tenderness following surgery, which will result in a greatly lengthened recovery period. More serious risks can include skin necrosis, temporary or permanent numbness, and laser burns.
5. Meet Expectations
Some people simply can't be satisfied. A small proportion of patients may set their standards unrealistically high, and are then disappointed by the results of their liposuction. The surgery isn't meant to make people slim, physically fit, or more toned. All it can do is provide improvements to the overall, preexisting body shape. Fat removal around the abdomen can't give you six-pack abs unless you already had them lying below the surface. Most patients with realistic outlooks, fortunately, report high satisfaction rates.
