Liposuction, also known as liposculpture or lipoplasty is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from almost all areas of the body. The common areas are the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, calves, breasts, arms and the face. Liposuction in Malaysia can be combined with Bilateral Breast Augmentation, Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Facelift and Bilateral Breast Reduction.

However, this procedure is not a treatment for obesity. Good quality skin that is undamaged and will be able to retract and re-drape well after the fat has been removed. If the skin is of poor quality, it will hang down in folds after the liposuction.

At Dr Soma Plastic Surgery, you will first have a consultation to discuss what areas you want liposuction for. Before your procedure, your surgeon will make marks on the body that encompass the areas of concern to the patient (i.e. areas of fat deposition that need to be treated). The liposuction procedure is done under general anesthesia. A solution of local anesthetic with adrenalin is injected into the areas to be treated. This is to distend the fat tissues so that the surgery is easier and also to minimize bleeding and to ensure post-operative pain relief.

A small incision will be made to allow a small hollow steel tube, measuring 3 to 4 mm in diameter, to be inserted at specific sites that are well hidden within skin creases. This tube is connected to a machine that uses suction to remove the fat deposits. The tube is moved back and forth to break up the fat, making it easier to remove. Excess fluids are then drained and the incision stitched and bandaged. Soma Plastic Surgery uses a powered cannula system by MicroAire (USA). The amount of fat that can be removed during a procedure safely ranges between 3 to 6 liters (11 lbs), however, this will be dependent on the patient. The procedure can take between 2 to 3 hours to complete and you will need downtime for a couple of weeks to recover.

Contrary to a common misconception, liposuction is not for overweight people or for people who have large areas of excess fat. Many of our liposuction patients are maintaining a normal weight and are frustrated to be left with a few pounds of stubborn fat in certain body areas. Many people have only small areas of excess fat they wish to reduce. Our mini liposuction procedure is designed for these patients.

This treatment precisely targets pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. It removes only the right amount of fat from precisely defined areas. Mini liposuction is a quick procedure that can typically be performed in less than an hour. A very small cannula is used and no sutures are required after treatment. This technique allows our patients who have worked hard to achieve fitness to finally enjoy the benefits of a toned, sculpted body.

After the operation, the treated areas are bandaged and a tight pressure garment is put on to compress the skin onto the deeper tissues. This helps prevent fluid collections, reduce swelling and bruising, and to ensure an even contour of the skin. This will have to be worn constantly for at least 6 weeks. You may be prescribed antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection, as well as pain medication for any discomfort. After surgery, if you have had a general anesthetic, you may be admitted for one day or you will need someone to drive you home.

How long it takes for you to return to your normal activities is dependent on the individual, however, most patients can return to work after 1 week, and continue with exercise after 6 weeks. Patients must have a responsible adult drive them home and assist them for at least 24 hours post-surgery to ensure safety. It is very helpful to have someone available to adjust pillows, assist with getting to and from the bathroom, and handle meal preparation and other chores. The caregiver can also ensure medications are taken on schedule. Pain is not an issue with approach pain relief medication.

Prepare the recovery area ahead of time; have all items needed within easy reach. Reading material, TV remote, medication, snacks and cold drinks should all be accessible without having to move around excessively. It is helpful to have the bed situated so that it is not necessary to use stairs. You might need to stay overnight at the hospital if your surgery is done later in the day so that you can be properly monitored after surgery. Complications are minimal and consist mainly of bruising that will resolve spontaneously over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. Infection is rare. Results may not be visible right away due to swelling after the surgery. It can take up to 6 months for the area that has been treated to settle and show results.

Fat cells are thought not to be regenerated in adult life. Therefore, their removal by liposuction will give a permanent change in contour that is independent of any changes in your body weight. Liposuction is a very safe procedure if it is done by a certified & experienced surgeon in a major hospital with a well-trained anesthetist.

There are several short-term consequences of liposuction surgery. While most resolve in a few weeks, some conditions become permanent due to body structure, the effects of prior incomplete liposuction or noncompliance with postoperative instructions. Some of these conditions are:

Usually resolves in 2 to 4 months

Can result in increased or decreased sensation at the treatment site swelling

Normal in every patient

Compression garments minimize swelling and shorten recovery time

Will occur at the treatment site and adjacent areas

Greatly reduced using tumescent liposuction method

Skin elasticity determines the extent of skin irregularities

Massage helps to smooth skin surface

Pain level varies between individuals, described as pain associated with an over-strenuous workout session

Sometimes a stabbing pain occurs in treated area, which is momentary.

Easily managed by pain medication

Patients with chronic pain syndrome rarely can have a worsening of the baseline pain

Very slight differences between two sides of the body may be noticeable in patients with scoliosis or spine misalignment