Suction-Assisted Liposuction

Suction assisted liposuction is a standard method used to remove pockets of fat cells from the body. Also known as SAL, is a surgical procedure that uses small tubes of cannulas, which are placed in the fat pockets through tiny incisions. These tubes or cannulas are attached to a device that operates like a vacuum. The surgeon uses a push/pull motion penetration fat layers, eventually shattering fat cells, which are then drawn out of the body through suction.

It must be noted that suction-assisted liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. This can lead to abusive in the way of performing the procedure on candidates that are in poor health or simply not suitable for this type of procedure. The procedure should always be performed by an experienced plastic surgeon; otherwise, there could be major complications that could lead to serious health complications, including death.

The ideal candidate for suction-assisted liposuction should have reasonable expectations that include the surgery for fat reduction and sculpting, as well as a plan to lose weight and exercise for ultimate toning.

A candidate should be close to or at an ideal weight and have areas of disproportionate or abnormal deposits of fat. The skin should be relatively pliable in order to shrink when the additional fat deposits are removed. A patient should be in good mental and physical shape and always have reasonable expectations about the outcome of the procedure.

Most women opt for suction-assisted liposuction to reshape their abdomen, neck, face, thighs, hips and buttocks. Men choose suction-assisted liposuction often times to remove love handles, firm their abdomen, and remove fat deposits from the neck area. However, liposuction works on just about any area where their is excess fat.

Suction-assisted liposuction surgery is usually an out-patient procedure, but some plastic surgeons require a patient to spend a night in the hospital to avoid complications. If several areas are being treated, or if other plastic surgery procedures are also be done, more than a night’s stay may be recommended or required.

In most cases, general anesthesia is used to sedate a patient. This is administered by an anesthesiologist. Once a patient is fast asleep, the plastic surgeon will inject a large quantity of water or fluid into the fatty areas. The excess fluid helps to reduce bleeding and also provides additional anesthesia around the areas to to suctioned. In addition, the fluid helps to separate fat compartments, allowing for an easier extraction. Sometimes, a surgeon will use SAL and ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) to help break up the fat. With SAL, the surgeon will create many tiny incisions and insert metal, hollow tubes, which are hooked to suction. The tubes or cannulas come in various sizes. The cannula are moved in an in and out fashion through the fat, removing fat and creating a desirable shape. UAL is used in addition to SAL when the area is fibrous or tough. UAL requires the use of special tubes that are attached to an ultrasonic device that shoots out waves rupturing fat cells just before they are removed.

General risks are bruising, scarring, infection, bleeding and the risks that come along with any surgical procedure. In some rare cases, specific risk can include lumpiness, loose skin, certain hard scar tissue areas, discoloration, and skin loss or unfavorable scars.

Known as one of the most dramatic and liked cosmetic procedures, SAL is a very popular surgery.

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