What is Bariatric Surgery?
Having bariatric surgery to lose large amounts of excess weight is a difficult choice for many obese patients. There are a variety of bariatric procedures available to reduce the size of the stomach to help patients feel fuller after consuming a meal. Surgeons can perform surgery to remove a portion of the stomach, reroute the intestines or band the stomach to help with weight reduction of patients. After this surgical procedure, patients can only consume small amounts of food several times a day, leading to rapid weight loss that may improve other health conditions such as painful joints or diabetes mellitus. During the first year after bariatric surgery, patients begin to lose a large amount of weight with additional small losses occurring for the next few years.
Reasons to Have Liposuction after Bariatric Surgery
Despite weight loss after bariatric surgery, many patients are still unhappy with the appearance of their bodies due to pockets of fat located on certain areas. Unfortunately, fat deposits often remain on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks of patients, making it difficult to wear revealing clothing. For many patients, liposuction procedures after bariatric surgery are a great way to get rid of fat deposits on areas of the body where exercise has little effect. There are several benefits of having liposuction from a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with an understanding of helping to make male or female bodies more aesthetically pleasing.
Benefits of Liposuction from a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Benefits of liposuction for patients who have had bariatric surgery include:
- Incisions are small and drain easil
- Incisions heal rapidly with or without stitches
- There are seldom severe complications
- Scars are small or fade quickly
- Oral or local anaesthesia is sufficient to reduce discomfort
- Swelling or numbness only lasts a few days to two weeks
- Patients can choose the body area where liposuction is performed
Patients Can Combine Liposuction with other Procedures
Patients undergoing liposuction can choose to have fat deposits removed from more than one area of the body to avoid multiple recovery times. A knowledgeable plastic surgeon will complete a thorough examination on a patient to advise the best areas of the body to have liposuction procedures. Occasionally, patients may want to combine liposuction with other procedures such as excess skin removal. Loose skin tissue on postoperative bariatric patients is common due to the enormous amount of weight loss. Individuals losing enormous amounts of weight typically have rolls of stretched skin tissue on their legs, arms or abdomen that makes daily living difficult. Many patients prefer to have several types of surgery at one time to avoid needing to take time off from work multiple times.
Types of Liposuction Surgery
Plastic surgeons can use one or more types of liposuction surgery to remove fat deposits on each area of the body. While patients may have their preference for the method of liposuction used, a surgeon with experience understands the best one to use. Liposuction procedures available include:
- Water assisted
- Laser assisted
- Tumescent
- Ultrasound assisted
- Twin cannula
- Power assisted
- Suction assisted
Patients Heal Rapidly after Liposuction
The process of liposuction involves suctioning fat with an aspirator device through hollow tubes known as cannulas. The rapid action of the surgeon pushing the instruments in the tiny incisions in the body will lead to bruising and swelling after the procedure is over. A knowledgeable surgeon knows how to remove fat deposits to sculpt the body to provide a smoother skin surface without lumps or bulges. After procedures, patients may need to wear a compression garment or bandages to hold tissue in place as it heals. After liposuction procedures, the bruising and swelling decreases over several weeks, leading to a thinner and more aesthetically pleasing body.
