LIPOSCULPTURE in Sydney
New body in one day.... the easy way

When fatty deposits do not respond to diet and excercise, Liposculpture can help. Liposculptures at ABC Cosmetic Surgery in Sydney are performed under local anaesthetic. This information will help you in making an informed decision to undergo Liposculpture at our Sydney based Surgery. Should there be anything that you do not understand, please ask as many questions as you wish.

Liposculpture in Sydney 
What is Liposculpture?
Liposculpture is a technique for the removal of unwanted deposits of fat by the use of suction. The fat is infiltrated with local anaesthetic to render it softer and easier to remove.P>

Why do people have Liposculpture?
People request these procedures to improve their looks, to improve clothes fitting and to restore body proportions.  Some people use Liposculpture to “kick-start” a life-style modification program that will include a better diet and regular exercise. Other people request assistance for fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise. 

What is the difference between liposuction and Liposculpture?
Liposuction and Liposculpture are performed in a similar manner.  The difference between the techniques is that Liposculpture is performed exclusively under local anaesthetic whilst Liposuction is performed in hospital under a general anaesthetic. During a Liposculpture, the patient remains awake and is able to stand up at the end of the procedure. The operating doctor can more easily identify any irregularities or unevenness of the body contour.  The patient is then laid down again and the irregularities are addressed.  This is the sculpturing part of the operation.  This procedure is repeated a number of times until the operating doctor is satisfied that the best possible result has been achieved.

What is Tumescent Liposculpture?
Tumescence refers to the infusion of large amounts of diluted local anaesthetic into the fat. The fat becomes swollen with local anaesthetic.  Tumescent fat is softer, easier to remove and its removal causes minimal blood loss.  Tumescent Liposculpture is so safe and free of complications that it can be performed as a “walk-in, walk-out” procedure necessitating no hospital admission.  In addition the anaesthetic effects of the tumescence appear to last for the first two days, for the majority of patients, keeping them comfortable in the immediate post-operative period.

What is Conscious Sedation?
Conscious sedation is the administration of drugs sufficient to dull the senses and alleviate pain. The patient at all times remains awake and in control of all vital functions such as breathing, swallowing, urine and bowel function.  The sedation is not sufficient to put the patient completely to sleep.  This is not a general anaesthetic.

What is the history of Liposculpture?
Liposuction was initially developed in the late 1970s by an Italian gynaecologist called Dr Arpad Fischer.  The technique was later improved and popularized by a French general practitioner called Dr Pierre Fournier.  The development of the tumescent technique and Liposculpture are attributed to Dr Jeffrey Klein, an American Dermatologist, who developed the technique in the late 1980s.  Tumescent Liposculpture was introduced into Australia in the early 1990s.

How much fat can be removed?
There are limits to the amount of local anaesthetic that can be used safely in any one operation.  When a patient presents for consultation, the operating doctor will advise what is possible.  If large amounts of fat need removal, it will be safer to stage the Liposculpture into more than one session.  The removal of five litres of fat is considered to be the upper limit for Tumescent Liposculpture performed on a “walk-in, walk-out” basis.

What are the risks of Liposculpture?
Complications that have been reported include infection of the operated area, allergic reactions to the local anaesthetic or other drugs administered. Other reported complications include unwanted collections of blood or fluid under the skin, sloughing of skin over the operated area, deep venous thrombosis (clot formation in the deep veins of the legs) and pulmonary embolism (escape of clots from the leg veins to the lungs). These complications are all exceedingly rare. 
Antibiotics are prescribed to all patients after Liposculpture to prevent infections.  All patients are electronically monitored to detect the first signs of any allergic reactions and all equipment and drugs are available to deal with such an event. All patients are encouraged to keep themselves mobile after Liposculpture to prevent deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.  If patients follow all instructions carefully, risks will be kept to a minimum. There are many other rare complications of Liposculpture, should you wish to have a full list, please ask.

What are the side effects of Liposculpture?
All patients will experience bruising of the skin and swelling of the operated sites.  All patients will experience mild to moderate discomfort, some patients will experience higher levels of discomfort for which they will take regular pain-killers.  Numbness of the skin overlying the sites of operation and ankle swelling are also common.

What can I do to decrease the side effects of Liposculpture ?
To decrease post-operative bruising and swelling and discomfort:

For two weeks before and after the operation:

• No Vitamin E containing preparations
• No Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs – i.e. Aspirin, Nurofen, Ketofen, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Feldene, Orudis, Surgam, Indocid (there are many other names, if in doubt, confer with the operating doctor)
• No Period remedies – i.e. Naprogesic and Ponstan
• No Oil of Evening Primrose
• Take Vitamin B and C daily – to improve healing

For two days before and after the operation:

• No Alcohol
• No Garlic

After the operation:

• Take Paracaetamol tablets to control pain – i.e. Panadol, Panadeine or Tylanol
• Take the Antibiotic   prescribed to prevent infection – i.e. Keflex, Ceclor or other
• Take Arnica tablets or spray under the tongue to decrease bruising  (do not use Arnica cream ).
• Wear Lycra suits or other compressive garments provided to exert pressure on the operated sites
• Keep as active as possible within limits of pain and discomfort

How is Liposculpture performed?

• The operating doctor and a nurse will be present in the operating room.  The patient is undressed and the unwanted fat deposits are marked on the skin with a marking pen.
• Clinical photographs are taken to allow comparisons before and after the procedure. 
• The patient is given an injection of a strong painkiller.  A needle may be placed in one of the veins in the arm to allow intravenous access. The patient may feel sleepy but will not fall asleep.  No general anaesthetic will be administered.  The patient remains in control.  This is called Conscious Sedation. 
• Various monitors are attached to the patient to assist the operating doctor and the nurse in monitoring the patient throughout the Liposculpture. 
• When the patient is relaxed, the operating doctor will puncture the skin in various appropriate places and begin infusing the local anaesthetic solution into the unwanted fat deposits.  The local anaesthetic solution causes the fat to become numb, and therefore insensitive to pain.  It also causes the fat to become softer and more easily removed. 
• On completion of the local anaesthetic infusion the fat extraction will begin. The liposculpture is performed with a range of specifically designed, precision metal tubes called canulas.  Different types and sizes of canulas are used.
• By the time the effects of the conscious sedation wears off, the Liposculpture will usually be half over.
• Near the end of the Liposculpture the patient is asked to stand so that the operating doctor can identify any irregularities or areas of unevenness. 
• The patient is then laid down again and the irregularities are addressed.  This procedure is repeated a number of times until the operating doctor is satisfied that the best possible result has been achieved for the patient.  
• On completion of the operation, the patient is fitted with compressive garments.  Two Lycra garments are usually used one on top of the other to exert adequate pressure. 
• The patient is then dressed and discharged from the operating room into the care of a responsible adult.
• It is illegal for patients to attempt to drive home after Liposculpture due to the drugs that have been administered during the operation.

How long will my Liposculpture take?
The operation will take between two and four hours, depending on the extent and complexity of the operation. 

What can I expect after the operation?
During the first two days blood and fluid will discharge from the holes on the skin.  Although the fluid will be tinged with blood, the actual total blood loss will be minimal.  The patient will be provided with absorbent pads and sheets to place between the Lycra garments to absorb the fluid.  The patient will also be provided with a plastic sheet to place over his or her bed.  The use of towels on the bed can also be very useful.  Patients are encouraged to rest for the first two days but they must not stay in bed the whole day.  All patients must go for short walks mornings and nights starting on the first day following surgery.  Most patients can return to work two to three days after the operation.  By the end of the first week most patients will feel quite comfortable, however, the bruising and swelling of the tissues will slowly subside over the next one to three weeks.

When will I see the result of my Liposculpture?
By the end of one month most patients will feel and look completely recovered from the operation.  At this stage about 80% of the final result from the Liposculpture will be evident.  The final result will be manifest at three months.  Some of the more specialized areas of Liposculpture such as the neck, arms and calves will usually show a slower recovery with final results taking up to six months to manifest themselves.

Will I lose weight?
Liposculpture is not a weight loss program and it can not take the place of a healthy diet and exercise program.  Liposculpture is used to reshape patients’ bodies, to help them to look better, to improve body proportions and to achieve better clothes fitting. Most patients will loose some weight, however, the exact amount of weight loss can not be predicted.

Is my Liposculpture result guaranteed?
Unfortunately it is impossible to guarantee the result with Liposculpture.  There are many factors that contribute towards the final Liposculpture result.  Some of these  factors include:

• Skin elasticity – In the majority of patients the skin over the Liposculptured area will tighten after the underlying fat has been removed, however, in some patients the skin remains loose.  This can be very disappointing to the patient who was expecting a flat-tummy or a tight-looking bottom.  In the majority of such patients the looseness of the skin will improve during the first year after Liposculpture.  If the skin continues to be loose after one year, further Liposculpture can be performed to improve the skin appearance.
• Fibrous fat – Some patients have very hard fat which can be almost impossible to remove. It is called fibrous fat because it contains lots of fibrous material interspersed between the fat cells.  Fibrous fat is often found in those difficult to get rid of areas that the patient has had for many years.  There is no test or examination that can detect the presence of fibrous fat before a Liposculpture.  If fibrous fat is encountered, the final result of the Liposculpture will be less striking.
• Distress – a small number of patients become distressed by the pain of the Liposculpture operation. This can be due to the local anaesthetic not working properly. There is no test or examination that will predict this situation and if a patient becomes distressed it will be safer to limit or abandon the Liposculpture.  Thankfully this situation happens rarely.
• Patient unable to cooperate – occasional patients find it impossible to turn over on the operating table or are unable to stand up at the end of the Liposculpture.  In this situation there will be a risk of uneven results.

Will my health improve?
Most people feel better after Liposculpture due to a renewed sense of confidence.  There have been very few studies aimed at determining if Liposculpture will objectively improve patients’ health.  The questions that need resolving include:
Will patients who undergo Liposculpture live longer? 
Will they suffer less disease? 
Will their health problems such as diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure improve?
Will they enjoy their lives more?
The scientific studies that have been performed to date are insufficient to be able to answer such questions confidently.  The general clinical impression is that patients undergoing Liposculpture have a 30 to 50% probability of improving their health in some way.

What will happen if I put on weight in the future?
When Liposculpture is performed fat is removed, however, it is not possible to remove all the fat.  If a patient puts on weight in the future, there will be a tendency for fat to accumulate first in the non-Liposculptured areas.  If a patient puts on a lot of weight, eventually even the Liposculptured areas will swell with fat.

What is the cost of Liposculpture?
The cost of Liposculpture is determined by many factors including the amount of fat to be removed and the likely difficulty of removing it.  The range for most patients will be from $5000 to $8000.  The full and final cost of the operation will be determined by the operating doctor after examination of the patient. The basic costs of liposculpture involve an operating theater fee of $1800 plus a garment fee of $200. The operation fee ranges between $3000 and $6000 depending on the number of areas operated and the likely operating time. All fees are inclusive of GST. You will be provided with a written quotation when you present for consultation. All consultations are free of charge.

The final analysis
Liposculpture is an extremely safe procedure that can be performed on a “walk-in walk-out “ basis with a minimum of fuss.  The procedure delivers excellent results for the majority of patients.  Should you have any further questions or require any further clarifications, please make an appointment.

Make your dreams come true

More information on Liposculpture to specific body areas:
| Abdomen | Arms | Breasts | Calves | Neck | Thighs |