Liposuction offers cosmetic, reconstructive advantages

By Nick Rees

The liposuction procedure was invented by Doctors Giorgio and Arpad Fischer in Rome, Italy in 1974 and has progressed rapidly ever since.
 
Over the last 30 years, advances in liposuction have been made that allow for more fat cells to be removed easily with less blood loss and discomfort and with lower risk to the patient.

"Liposuction is basically the removal of fatty tissue underneath the skin through the use of small tubes," Dr. Loren Schecter, MD, selected as a Chicago Top Doctor by TopTierMD as a top rated plastic surgeon in Chicago, said. "We use it for both cosmetic and reconstructive reasons. Where we as plastic surgeons define cosmetic, we mean treating or operating on a body part that's with the realm of normal that we're trying to improve. Reconstruction is trying to approximate a more normal occurrence. The same techniques, however, may be used for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.

"For reconstruction, we might transfer fatty tissues, or use it to contour irregularities as a result of trauma. We can smooth those out. Liposuction can also be used as an adjunct in breast reduction."

Liposuction, unlike many disciplines, is practiced on men and women of all ages.

"We work all over the body," Dr. Schecter said. "It's a problem solving specialty. We may be asked to evaluate someone from a car accident or someone who had a flesh eating bacteria or someone who just wants to feel better about themselves."

During the liposuction procedure, fat is removed through a hollow tube called a cannula by a suction device called an aspirator.

"It's typically a same-day procedure depending on the amount of tissue removed," Dr. Schecter said. "The general limit in terms of how much will be removed in an outpatient procedure is under approximately five liters. That's a significant amount of fatty tissue."

Recovery time from liposuction is generally quick, with patients able to return to work in as little as two days.

"Depending on the body area and the patient, there may be some mild bruising and swelling after the procedure," Dr. Schecter said. "The patient is also typically placed in a compression garment, but not much more is required. An oral narcotic may also be administered for a couple of days after the procedure."

Dr. Loren Schecter, MD, was selected by TopTierMD as a Chicago Top Doctor and is considered Best in Plastic Surgery in Chicago. He specializes in breast reconstruction, abdominoplasty and liposuction.