BODY CONTOURING

LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is one of the procedures most commonly associated with plastic surgery and body contouring. Liposuction is a highly sought-after procedure that removes excess fat from various regions of the body, including the face and neck, upper arms, trunk, abdomen, hips and thighs.

People who are eligible for liposuction are those who have stubborn pockets of fat they cannot seem to shed and who are already following a healthy diet and exercise regimen. These patients are usually at or close to their ideal weight. This is not a substitute for weight reduction but a method for removing localized deposits of fat.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are individuals who have a relatively normal weight who have excessive fat deposits in specific areas of the body. Having healthy, elastic skin will lead to improved outcomes in contour after liposuction.

Liposuction does not improves areas of skin with cellulite.

Often, liposuction may be combined with other procedures such as a facelift, tummy tuck or breast reduction to achieve optimal cosmetic results with precise contouring of the surrounding regions. 

In addition, Dr Sooka uses radiofrequency energy devices alone or in combination with liposuction to facilitate skin tightening and retraction of loose skin. This may sometimes avoid lengthy scars in certain areas of the body. Dr Sooka will determine if you are a candidate for this procedure during the consultation.

PROCEDURE

Dr Sooka will assess the areas to be treated with liposuction pre-operatively during the  consultation in his rooms at Sandton Mediclinic. An in-depth discussion follows, which addresses both the patients’ goals as well as the realistic outcomes that can be achieved with liposuction.

Liposuction is performed using hollow metal instruments called cannulas. These are inserted through multiple small incisions while the patient is under general anaesthesia. The incisions are placed in such a way as to be as inconspicuous as possible once they heal. The areas of excess fat are then suctioned out using a vacuum, and removed. Once the liposuction procedure is complete, these incisions are sutured closed.

Dr Sooka performs liposuction and body contouring procedures in Sandton, at the Mediclinic Sandton hospital.

RECOVERY

Following liposuction, a compression garment must be worn for a period of four to six weeks after surgery. This is an essential component to the recovery process, as it will aid in reducing swelling. Pain, tenderness and some bruising of the areas treated by liposuction can be expected. Pain medication will be prescribed by the plastic surgeon to manage this.

Patients who undergo liposuction also undergo several sessions of manual lymphatic drainage, which aids with decreasing the swelling that occurs after the procedure.

Exercise and strenuous activity is usually limited for a period of approximately four to six weeks following liposuction.

It may take a few months for the postoperative swelling to completely subside before the final result is apparent.