Liposuction of
Abdomen and Flanks
A Flat Belly,
Effective S-line!
Always remember Liposuction is not primarily a weight losssurgery but is a body contouring surgery.
Always remember Liposuction is not primarily a weight loss surgery but is a body contouring surgery. Liposuction reduces the localised body fat deposits in various locations of the body in single or multiple stages and leads to contouring the tone of the body and defining a leaner silhouette. Body builders, athletes, and people with slight overweight should choose this procedure to correct small to medium areas of fat that are not responsive to exercise and diet.
The unwanted fat is stored in the body which creates bulges in different places of the body which are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye and no matter how hard we try to get rid of it, the deposits usually win the fight and what you are left with is an overweight, bulged body which despite of exercise, diet and other measures is not ready to leave. In some cases, this is hereditary which again how hard we try, sometimes says "No" to leave us. Liposuction broadly is a procedure which helps to reduce these deposits of unwanted fat from the areas such as abdomen, thighs, face, arms, flank (love handles), hips and buttock region, thus improving the shape and contour of the body. Liposuction of abdomen and flanks is a cosmetic surgical procedure to remove excess fat from under the skin in the region of front of abdomen and love handles (flanks). Liposuction doesn't improve cellulite dimpling or other skin surface irregularities and it doesn't remove stretch marks. Liposuction of abdomen and flanks is most commonly combined with Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in patients with loose saggy skin and poor muscle tone of abdominal muscles.
When you gain weight, fat cells increase in size and volume. Liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in an area. The resulting changes are generally permanent unless and until your weight remains stable. After liposuction the skin moulds itself to the new contours of the treated areas. If you have good skin tone and elasticity, the skin is likely to appear smooth. The amount of fat removed depends on the appearance of the area and the volume of fat.
Liposuction of abdomen and flanks can be combined with liposuction of other body parts also, but Dr Amit Agarwal believes in the safety of the procedure as well as for your smooth surgical journey. If the amount of liposuction required at other places of your body is less, then he can combine it with liposuction of the buttocks and thighs otherwise he prefers to stage it and do it as a second procedure after few months when you have recovered completely from the previous surgery.
Men and women with higher BMI more than 30 who have generalised obesity should not seek liposuction as a weight loss procedure. Rather they should aim for weight loss with strict diet control and exercises and then get liposuction done for resistant fatty areas later. Liposuction should not be done in morbidly obese patients whose BMI is more than 40 or more than 35 with significant diseases like Diabetes, High BP, Heart diseases etc. Bariatric surgery is the answer for such a problem.
Discussions during a Liposuction consultation should include
- Discussion on the desired body reshaping goals.
- Any past medical condition or surgeries.
- Any present illness, drug allergies and medical treatments.
- Any on-going supplements.
- Alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
A candidate opting for Liposuction should fill up these criteria for better results
- Ideally you should be slightly overweight who has accumulated fat deposits in abdomen and flank region. As a stand-alone procedure, most liposuctions are practiced in patients who have a body mass index (BMI) below 29. Though it can be done for people whose BMI is more than 29 who have more localised fat deposits in abdomen and flanks and want to target this region only.
- Individuals who are healthy having good muscle tone, elastic skin are ideal for the surgery.
- You must have completed your growth.
- You should be a non-smoker and if you are a smoker, you should compulsorily stop smoking before at least two weeks before the planned surgery.
- You should not have any major chronic illness or medical conditions.
- You should be conscious towards improving your looks and body shape.
Dr Amit Agarwal's focus during consultation
- Measure your BMI, assess your areas of fat deposits around abdomen and flank region.
- Assess your muscle tone, any sagging skin, and any hernias.
- Examine how much of fat is outside the muscles (to be targeted by liposuction) and how much is intraabdominal- inside with internal organs (cannot be targeted by liposuction)
- Examine your overall health, and risk factors
- Discuss the options for your surgery
- Requirement of any other procedure like tummy tuck to get desired result.
- Take photographs
- Risk and complications related to outcome of surgery.
- Highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle even after surgery.
Questions to be asked with Dr Amit Agarwal about your surgery
- Are you a good candidate for the procedure?
- How and where will he perform the surgery?
- What are the risks and complications related to the surgery?
- How long will be my recovery period?
- How long do I have to stay at the centre?
Preparations to be done for the surgery
- You should be physically healthy.
- You should stop smoking if you are a smoker before at least two weeks prior to the surgery.
- Get the tests done prescribed by Dr Amit Agarwal.
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they aggravate bleeding.
- All pre surgical work up investigations should be shown to the operating surgeon and the anaesthetist, and we will evaluate your fitness for the surgery. You will be given date for the surgery only after you are declared fit for the procedure.
- Compression garment measurement should be given for post-surgical use.
- Admission will be done on the same day at the centre.
- Written consent form will be signed explaining the procedure after the admission.
- Meeting with the anaesthetist for Pre-Anaesthetic check-up before the surgery.
- Nil per oral for minimum of 5-6 hours before the planned procedure.
Liposuction procedure includes
- First step is to opt between general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. Best choice will be recommended after discussion with you by Dr Amit Agarwal. The procedure can be done under tumescent local anaesthesia if the area of fat deposit is small and localised otherwise General anaesthesia is preferred.
- Second step is to make a very small incisions (3-4mm) along the pre marked line, and then Tumescent anaesthesia solution is then infused in the fat tissues under the skin of the area of planned surgery to reduce bleeding, pain and trauma to the tissues.
- In the third step, a hollow cannula is inserted through the incision with a restricted to and fro motion to loosen the excess fat. Then with the help of the high pressure surgical vacuum which is attached to the hollow tube or cannula, this fat is suctioned out of the body.
- The last step includes checking the results after the surgery and matching both the sides.
Recovery after the surgery
After surgery, the treated area is covered with pressure garment. These garment helps in the compression of the skin and reduces swelling giving you desired body shape and improved contour.You will be made to walk on the same or next day of the surgery. You will be discharged on second day of the surgery.
- There can be substantial swelling and bruising of the abdomen and flank region which usually subsides in 3 to 4 weeks
- Two or three very small sutures will be mostly on the inner folds and inside the skin which will be dissolvable and do not require to be taken off.
- In the days following surgery, there will be pain which can be subsided by the pain killers given by Dr Amit Agarwal.
- Soreness might last for few weeks.
- You will be made to walk 6 hours post-surgery or the very following day, depending on your will and wish.
- You can start exercising after three weeks post-surgery.
- Pressure garment is a must wear for the next 4 to 6 months without gap or fail for almost 24 hours a day.
- You can return to work depending on your will power and the type of work required between 2 -3 days.
- You can return to your normal lifestyle after a week of surgery.
There will be some specific instructions given to you by Dr Amit Agarwal which includes
- How to take care of the surgical site.
- About the follow up dates.
- How to take the medications or application of creams. There are not many medications though.
Risk and complications post-surgery
The complications and aftermaths of the surgery vary from person to person and their physical well-being. The factors which affect are poor circulation, a history of blood clots, diabetes or heart, lung or liver infection.
Liposuction of abdomen and flanks usually gives desired results but there can be some risks involved which include
- Risks related to General anaesthesia which are very rare. Anaesthesia is very safe in present times and with best machines and a qualified anaesthetist, chances of encountering any complication is less than 0.1 percent in a healthy individual. We at Kayakriti Plastic Surgery and Dental Centre are equipped with world class anaesthesia workstation, other equipments and two very qualified intensivists for the surgical procedures to be very safe and smooth.
- Accumulation of the fluid i.e., Seroma formation can occur which usually decreases and stops in few days.
- Rare chances of Infection which resolves with antiobiotics.
- There can be persistent swelling and bruising in the surgical area which reduces with time.
- If you have a poor blood supply, the healing will be poor (seen more in smokers, patients with diabetes, hypothyroidism or in patients with multiple diseases).
- Sometimes irregular contours are seen, which can be corrected with the use of the pressure garments.
- Sometimes change in skin sensation (numbness) is noticed.
- Rare event of Deep Vein Thrombosis, fat embolism, pulmonary or cardiac complications, lidocaine toxicity can occur or precipitate in patients with multiple pre-existing diseases diagnosed or undiagnosed by routinely available standard tests, if liposuction is performed on larger surface areas of the body involving massive fluid shift (imbalance between fluids infused and fat suctioned out)and if multiple procedures are done in the same sitting. Kindly do not force your surgeon for excess fat removal in one sitting which is never recommended by Dr Amit Agarwal and might turn a very safe procedure to an unsafe one.
- Possibility of revised surgery if the results don't meet your desired expectations.
These are the risks and possible complication which should be discussed by you with Dr Amit Agarwal before the procedure.
The total benefits of liposuction will be seen after the swelling and bruising subsides.
You should always follow a healthy life style to maintain your profile and confidence. It is also very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain your shape and contour. If you are unable to maintain it or plan an exercise regime, there can be deposits of unwanted fat at other sites other than the surgical. Then probably you may have to go under another surgery.
Do's and Don'ts for liposuction of abdomen and flanks
- You should never force for excess fat removal, more than he recommends or intends to remove as it can create complications mentioned above though very rare and can give irregular contour to the enveloping skin of abdomen and flank region. Dr Amit Agarwal will calculate the safe amount of fat removal for you after taking in to account all your health parameters and fatty deposits.
- You should not get into surgery if you are having any major chronic illness and you should not hide it with your doctor.
- You should always wear the pressure garment as it reduces swelling and improves your contour.
- You should improve your lifestyle to avoid any further fat deposits in other body parts. So to maintain a shape and slimmer waist line you should pursue exercises and proper diet.
- You should consult your doctor immediately if you have any complication
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally you should be slightly overweight who has accumulated fat deposits in abdomen and flank region andthere is no effect of exercises, diet control and other measures to reduce weight then also you can opt for it. As a stand-alone procedure, most liposuctions are practiced in patients who have a body mass index (BMI) below 29.But it can be done in people with BMI more than 29 who have more localised fat deposits in abdomen and flanks and want to target this region only.
If you follow a healthy lifestyle and follow the doctor's instructions you will get desirable results.
You can be discharged next day after surgery.
You have to wear it for at least 3 months and may extend to 6 months depending on your doctor's advice.
You can start exercising after 3 weeks of surgery and as our doctor suggests depending on your healing process.
Liposuction of Abdomen and Flanks Images
Indivisual results may vary from person to person.
These pictures are shown for the purpose of education only.
Shaping dreams through
Know your surgeon better
Best plastic surgeon, Dr. Amit Agarwal is an American Board Certified, extensively trained, and best Plastic & Aesthetic surgeon in Lucknow. He is the Chief Plastic Surgeon heading the Department of Plastic, Microvascular, and Craniofacial surgery at Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, U.P, India. He maintains a busy practice at Avadh and Nishat Hospital and his own center - Kayakriti Plastic Surgery & Dental Center. He was formerly a Consultant in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at the prestigious SGPGI, Lucknow.
MS, DNB (General Surgery) MCh, DNB (Plastic Surgery),
MNAMS, FACS, FICS, FRCS (Edinburgh, UK)
His Credentials
Three pillars of kayakriti
Privacy
We believe your experience with us should be comfortable and hassle-free to make it one of your best lifetime experiences for yours. We, here at the clinic, take full precautions to maintain your privacy in any manner. We also provide a staff who will receive you from the gate and take you to the chamber directly if you demand.
Trust
Our Surgeon is highly qualified and internationally certified with a team of skilled staff to perform any surgical or non-surgical treatment on your body.
Safety
When you plan to undergo any surgery you should always keep in mind that it's your body and it's a surgery. We, here always keep your safety a priority and will never recommend you to undergo any such procedure which is not safe for you. We also provide you with a detailed description of the complications which may occur after the surgery during the consultation as it's a surgical procedure so there may be some complications depending on the way your body reacts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have flat or small breast and you want to improve your breast and hip contour ratio then you are a good candidate for it. The answer will be best provided after the first consultation with Dr Amit Agarwal.
Acute pain will be there for almost a week which gradually reduces and there will be soreness and swelling which may take up to 3 weeks to subside.
You can join your work and daily routines after a week of the procedure and can start exercising after 3 weeks of it.
Yes, you have to wear it round the clock unless we suggest you to remove it.
This surgery does not affect the ducts or the areas of the breast involved in milk production. Thus, it does not affect the breast feeding.
This surgery does not affect the ducts or the areas of the breast involved in milk production. Thus, it does not affect the breast feeding.
Kayakriti Plastic Surgery & Dental Center
D-43, Near Punjab National Bank, Rajajipuram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh - 226017, India
Phone No. +919695940009, +919695940006
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