Stomach liposuction uses suction method to remove belly fat. The following article provides basic information regarding the procedure, recovery, and possible side effects.
Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery which involves the removal of lipos or fats from various parts of the human body. The goal of this procedure is to bring the body in shape by removing the excess fat from the targeted body part.
The parts of the body from which fat is removed by liposuction are neck, stomach, arms, thighs, and buttocks. Liposuction is not a treatment for obesity. It only removes fat from the target site. It must be noted that the fat might get accumulated again, if proper dietary care is not taken.
Process
The fat deposits of the stomach are basically of two types: subcutaneous (fat located under the outermost layer of the skin) and visceral (fat located in the intra-abdominal region). The former refers to the fatty tissue lying directly under the skin. Visceral fats are not reachable and they lie within the abdominal wall. Also, people with excess visceral fat are at a greater risk of developing diabetes and heart problems.
The liposuction method removes the subcutaneous fat deposit. It is performed by making an incision in the skin present below the navel. Through this incision, thin tubes called cannulas are inserted into the fatty deposits. With the help of cannulas, the fat deposits are broken down to smaller pieces. A powerful vacuum is used to suck out the fat, so that a sculpted look is achieved. The entire process is done carefully so that no muscle, nerve, or skin gets affected. It is often accompanied by abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. It is performed to remove extra skin from the abdomen, thereby making it more firm.
Recovery
Stomach liposuction recovery process is a bit uncomfortable. However, one can lead a normal life after 10 – 12 days of surgery. In the first few days, the patient may suffer from varying degree of pain, for which painkillers could be used for about 3 – 12 days. The surgery site may get swollen, bruised, and numb and may remain so for 2 weeks to 2 – 3 months.
Sutures may be removed in the first 5 – 10 days. The final result of liposuction could be seen after a couple of months. Actually, the time period varies from person to person. Some are able to see the desired result within a month, while some take almost 6 months to see the change. There are certain self-care measures that can be followed. They are listed below.
- Take sufficient amount of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Do not soak your body in a Jacuzzi, bath, or a swimming pool for at least a week. This is to lower the risk of an infection.
- Do not drink any sort of alcoholic beverage for 2 days before and after surgery.
- Avoid applying cold or hot compress on skin overlying the stomach.
- Never use a hydrogen peroxide or a plastic band-aid on the incision site.
- Stand up slowly, take help from someone while bathing and sit or lie down if you feel dizzy or lightheaded. This will reduce the risk of fainting.
Side Effects
People should not expect a drastic change in the physical appearance as only some amount of fat would be lost from the body. Moreover, it may produce various undesired effects. Some of the major side effects are mentioned below.
- Abnormal contour of the body
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Swelling in the body part involved
- Bleeding from the bruised skin
- Depression, which is quite normal as a result of elective surgery
- Discoloration of the skin present around the target site
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot)
- Dimpled skin
- Fat embolism, it is usually less than 0.1%
- Hematoma, a localized swelling due to breakage of a blood vessel
- Hypothermia, loss of body heat
- Infection
- Heavy scar or keloid
- Nerve damage
- Puckers
- Sertoma or collection of fluid under the skin
- Shock
- Skin necrosis (dead skin), where the skin falls off
- Skin irregularities
- Slow recovery
- Tingling or burning sensation at the site of surgery
- Visible permanent scar
The cost of surgery largely depends upon the location of the fat to be removed, along with qualification and experience of the cosmetic surgeon.
People should immediately consult a doctor, in case of any complications. If everything seems to be normal, following a healthy diet along with doctor’s instructions will lead to a faster recovery. Lymphatic drainage massage therapy, under medical guidance, could be employed to reduce swelling and itching from the stomach. Finally, one should follow a balanced diet and moderate exercise regimen to keep the deposition of fat in the body under control, and stay fit.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.