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Body Sculpture by Tumescent Liposuction
A Guide to the Removal of Unwanted Fat through Cosmetic Surgery
Tumescent Liposuction is a body sculpting technique designed to remove unwanted deposits of fat.
First developed in the 1970's, liposuction has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in North America.
During the 1980's, dermatologic surgeons revolutionized the procedure with the development of the Tumescent Technique.
With this major advancement, deep and superficial layers of fat can be safely and effectively removed under local anaesthesia
with relatively little discomfort, virtually no complications and superior cosmetic results. The result is a resculpting of
bulging areas to give more attractive body contours.
- Will Tumescent Liposuction Work for Me?
- What is the First Step?
- How is the Procedure Performed?
- What Happens After Surgery?
- Will the Fat Grow Back?
- Will it Help Cellulite?
- What Complications Can I Expect?
1. Will Tumescent Liposuction Work for Me?
Tumescent liposuction is most effective for removing localized deposits of fat from many areas of the body which have not responded to diet or exercise, including the neck, chin, breasts, abdomen, hips, flanks (“love handles”), buttocks, inner and outer thighs, knees and ankles. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy men and women with good skin elasticity who are near their ideal weight and have realistic expectations. Tumescent liposuction is a contouring procedure, not a weight loss technique. Although the results of liposuction are often quite spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection. Best results are obtained when it is used in combination with regular exercise and healthy eating habits. In cases where there is significant loss of skin tone or elasticity, superior cosmetic results may require a combination of both liposuction and surgical skin tightening (a “tuck”) to remove excessive loose tissue. Age by itself is not necessarily a significant factor.
Liposuction has been used effectively to treat other medical conditions including excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), benign fatty growths (lipomas) and enlarged male breasts (gynaecomastia).
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2. What is the First Step?
During the consultation, Dr. Bertucci will review your medical history and conduct a thorough examination to evaluate your particular condition. He will describe the procedure and results that might realistically be expected. He will also discuss alternative treatment options and explain possible risks and complications. Photographs are taken before and after surgery to help evaluate the amount of improvement.
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3. How is the Procedure Performed?
Although originally done in a hospital operating room, liposuction can now be performed safely and effectively in our office. By using a local anaesthetic, often combined with light sedation, the potential complications of a general anaesthetic are avoided.
Large volumes of a very dilute anaesthetic solution are injected to swell up or tumesce the areas to be treated. The solution also contains epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels, thus greatly reducing bleeding and bruising. Sodium bicarbonate is added to reduce the stinging sensation associated with the anaesthetic, lidocaine, and a small amount of cortisone is used to reduce post-operative inflammation.
A thin, hollow tube, called a cannula, connected to a high-pressure suction machine is strategically inserted into the fatty layer through tiny incisions. Using to and fro movements, the fat is loosened and drawn through the tube into a container.
The tumescent technique enables Dr. Bertucci to remove large amounts of fat more uniformly with fewer skin irregularities and less bruising than with older techniques. The tumescent technique permits recovery time to be kept to a minimum.
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4. What Happens After Surgery?
The local anaesthetic effect lasts for 12-18 hours, thus greatly minimizing post-operative discomfort. Patients are alert and able to function without nausea or other unpleasant effects often experienced after a general anaesthetic. Mild post-operative pain medication may be required and many patients are able to return to a desk-type job within 48 hours, depending on the extent of the procedure. Physical exercise can generally be resumed three to seven days after liposuction. An elastic compression garment provided at the time of the procedure is worn under clothing for 2 – 4 weeks to aid compression and healing.
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5. Will the Fat Grow Back?
Studies indicate that, after reaching puberty, no new fat cells develop. Fat cells either swell with weight gain or shrink with weight loss. The new, balanced and more pleasing silhouette is usually permanent. If weight is gained or lost, the change tends to be distributed proportionately over the entire body. Changes in body contour produced by liposuction are equivalent to focussing the effects of dieting on specific areas of the body. Recent work suggests that new fat cells may form if there is significant weight gain.
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6. >Will it Help Cellulite?
Cellulite, a condition that describes a “puckering” of skin, often on the thighs or buttocks, may or may not improve with liposuction. Because the goal of liposuction is recontouring, it is unrealistic to expect elimination of cellulite with this procedure.
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7. What Complications Can I Expect?
Tumescent liposuction is a remarkably safe procedure with few significant side effects. A study published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery in 1995 reported no significant complications or hospitalizations in over 15,300 patients undergoing tumescent liposuction by dermatologic surgeons in North America. Clinical studies by other specialists have also demonstrated the safety and efficacy of tumescent liposuction. Serious complications such as blood clots, infection or allergic reactions are extremely rare. Certain minor side effects are to be expected. Bruising varies from person to person, but it is usually minor and resolves within 5 – 10 days. Swelling, tenderness and temporary numbness may also occur, but, once again, are usually short-lived. Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposuction, this side effect is minimized by the tumescent technique.
Doctor Vince Bertucci
Dr. Vince Bertucci is a specialist in both Dermatology and Internal Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Dermatology and Internal Medicine, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. He is the Course Director for Undergraduate Dermatology at the University of Toronto, overseeing the curriculum for medical students. He is a member of the International, American and Canadian Societies of Dermatologic Surgery, the Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Academy of Dermatology. He has published articles in the fields of Dermatology and Internal Medicine. He has also completed additional training in Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Toronto. In addition to one year of hands-on training in Tumescent Liposuction, he continually attends courses given by experts in this field. He is currently on staff at the Women’s College Campus of Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, where he teaches both medical students and dermatologists-in-training. His interests lie in Dermatologic Surgery, including skin cancer surgery, hair transplantation, laser therapy, Botox injections, chemical peeling, sclerotherapy, wrinkle therapy and tumescent liposuction.
Should you have any further questions or concerns about Tumescent Liposuction, please feel free to contact the office at 905/850 4415.
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