Again courtesy of Bodies Beautiful in Prague

[I]www.bodiesbeautiful.co.uk [/I]

here is some information on liposuction which will I know be of interest.

Liposuction is used to reshape and redefine areas of the body. This is achieved by removing fatty deposits; stubborn areas that remain even after healthy diet and exercise

Liposuction techniques:
Traditional Liposuction – this was the original technique that began in the 1970s.

Ultrasonic Liposuction – which is also called ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), was first developed in the 1980’s in Europe. Ultrasonic liposuction works by combining high-frequency sound waves with gentle suctioning. Ultrasonic energy is directed from the tip of the cannulae to effectively "liquefy" the fat. This "melted" fat can then be suctioned out with the use of the ultrasonic cannula or by a second cannula. This is the technique that is used by our Prague liposuction surgeons.

External Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (EUAL) – with this method, ultrasonic waves are delivered through a rod that is placed directly into fat deposits. Ultrasonic energy is then directed onto the skin over the fat. The liposuction procedure is then performed. However through their experience some liposuction surgeons have found that this technique did not represent the best procedure to use, as frequently suctioning the fat after the application of external ultrasound showed no particular advantage against carrying out the liposuction without any ultrasound having been administered at all.

Tummy Tuck – this cosmetic surgery procedure is often advised for clients, where liposuction would not solve the problem, such as where loose skin or lax inner girdles exist. Often the tummy tuck surgery is combined with additional liposuction to achieve optimum results.

Upper Arm Lift or Thigh Lift – if the problem being tackled involves loose skin in the upper limb with poor muscle tone, an upper arm lift or inner thigh lift will offer the best results. If the problem is excess fat in these areas, then arm liposuction or thigh liposuction would be the most appropriate treatment.
Cellulite and Liposuction Surgery

Cellulite is a common and unattractive dimpling and puckering of the skin usually seen at the top of the legs and around the buttocks. Unfortunately, cellulite per se, does not respond to treatment with liposuction.
The Best Candidates for Liposuction (fat removal)
A good candidate for liposuction (liposculpture) should have realistic expectations about what this cosmetic surgery procedure can deliver. The best candidate for liposuction is a person who is of normal weight or who is close to their ideal weight but who has stubborn pockets of fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. The skin to be treated should be firm with good elasticity. With liposuction, age is not a major consideration; however diminished skin elasticity that is seen in older patients may not allow them to achieve the same results as a younger patient who has tighter skin.

The best time to consider liposuction is after weight has been stabilised through diet and exercise. The results of liposuction will be permanent if weight remains stable with no weight gain. If a patient treated with liposuction did gain a large amount of weight a rippling might become visible in the treated areas, this, however, would be dependent on skin elasticity.
Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity

In the case of an obese patient, if they were to find a liposuction surgeon who would agree to perform liposuction surgery the results would be unlikely to be pleasing or long lasting.

Before the liposuction surgery, your plastic surgeon will mark the areas to be suctioned and may also make marks on your skin with areas to avoid. Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure, and it consists of the suctioning out of accumulated fat through thin tubes, which are connected up to a vacuum system. It is only necessary to make very small incision to introduce these tubes and as results scarring will be virtually invisible. Liposuction is performed under a general anaesthetic.

Once you are under anaesthetic, the liposuction plastic surgeon will make several tiny incisions around the areas that are to be treated. Using a metal rod, which is about the diameter of a pencil, but much longer, tumescent fluid will be injected into your fat layers. The suction machine attached produces a vacuum and a liposuction rod will be used to suction out the fat cells. Most liposuction surgeons use dissolving stitches, and these will not need to be removed.

For some years now we have been using the ultra fine ultrasonic liposuction method in our liposuction clinic, which does not harm the skin or any other tissue. Using the Vibrasat device, gentle aspiration of a considerable amount of fat from very fine, almost imperceptible places is possible, without damaging the subcutaneous layers of skin. This limits side effects, e.g. post-operative bleeding, swelling or severe pain of the treated areas. In addition to this, the vibration of the equipment has been observed to limit the signs of cellulite in the skin grain.
Postoperatively one nights stay in the clinic will normally be necessary and a patient will be fitted with a special compression bandage. Thereafter the patient should rest at home for about a week.
The garments that are worn after liposuction are an essential part of ensuring good results following the procedure. If the instructions of the liposuction plastic surgeon are not followed and the garment is not worn as directed, the result may baggy, lumpy, irregular, or uneven results. You will have to wear the garment for 4–6 weeks after the surgery although a month after surgery it will no longer be necessary for the underwear to be worn at night.

Most liposuction plastic surgeons usually work with dissolving stitches, which will not need to be removed. After 1–2 weeks, a liposuction patient can return to everyday activities, although avoiding any activity that requires extreme physical effort. Any bruising and swelling will usually have resolved a month after surgery.

Bruising or inflammation of the treated area may be present, but this is normal and will resolve in time. The results of the liposuction procedure will become more apparent over time as the reduction of volume and the skin re-modelling process is continuous and gradual. A significant improvement to the profile and body shape can certainly be achieved.

Possible Risks and Complications – Liposuction (Fat Removal)
Liposuction carries slightly higher risk of complications for individuals with existing medical problems such as diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, poor circulation, or for those who have recently had surgery close to the area to be contoured with liposuction.