Fat removal and reduction is a shared goal of many individuals, whether it is through diet, exercise or with the help of cosmetic surgery. In many cases, if diet and exercise do not work in giving you your desired body weight and shape, there is always liposuction.
Liposuction can be traced back to the early 1920s, when a French surgeon named Charles Dujarier introduced the idea of body reshaping through fat removal. Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or fat modeling, has come a long way since 1920s in helping many people achieve the body weight and shape they want through technological means.
What are the different types of liposuction offered in Singapore?
Liposuction is the process of suctioning out the fats to reshape the specific areas of the body. There are a few different types of liposuction procedures, but they all have one thing in common. The cannula is a thin tube inserted in the skin and used to suction out the fats. This tube is connected to a vacuum which acts as the suction during the procedure.
There are three types of liposuction:
(1) SmartLipo or the use of laser technology. Laser technology produces energy waves to liquefy the fats in the specific body areas for a smooth and easier suction.
(2) UAL (Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction). The sound waves from the ultrasound system bursts the walls of the fats, liquefying the fats for an smoother suction.
(3) Tumescent liposuction. This technique is done by injection a saline solution, which also contains epinephrine and lidocaine, in the body area where the fat will be removed. The combination of solutions allows the suctioning to be less painful and less blood loss.
Things to Know Before Getting a Liposuction
While the aim of liposuction is body remodeling and reshaping, realistic expectations should be set before deciding to undergo this procedure. For instance, liposuction will not be able to remove cellulites. Also, a change of lifestyle is strongly recommended when you undergo liposuction to maintain the shape achieved from this procedure.
Before getting a liposuction, the first step is consultation with your trusted doctor. If you do not have a cosmetic surgeon yet, it is best to research on recommendations and the best clinics that offer this service. Remember, if the services offered is too cheap, then it probably is too good to be true. Always go for the known names and clinics in this field to ensure success of your liposuction surgery.
Since this involves surgical procedures, liposuction can come with risk factors that your doctor with discuss with you beforehand. Basic requirements are: you should be within 25 percent of your ideal weight and you do not smoke. If a patient has heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or problems with the immune system, they may not be able to undergo this procedure.
If you are given clearance to undergo liposuction, your doctor will give you instructions on the needed preparations before the procedure. This will include a change in your meal plans and restrictions on certain types of food and drinks.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Your doctor will mark the areas identified that will undergo fat removal. This will give your doctor a guide on the focus areas. Depending on the procedure and body area, you will be administered with local or general anesthesia. Either way, you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
Liposuction is an outpatient procedure. This means you can be allowed to go home after recovery from anesthesia but it is recommended that you have someone to drive you home since you will not be allowed to drive.
Downtime and Recovery
Downtime is normal and expected after a liposuction procedure. In the 24 hours after surgery, you may still feel numb from the anesthesia. However, as the anesthesia wears off, you may start to feel pain and this will continue in the next 3 days. Be sure to take your painkillers as prescribed by the doctor. There may be some swelling and bruises but these should also fade in the next few days.
Overall downtime and recovery should take no more than 10 days. If you continue to feel unwell, or experience some bleeding, inform your doctor right away and seek medical attention.
How much does liposuction cost in Singapore?
The average price of liposuction in Singapore is about $2500 per body part. Most plastic surgeons work on a minimum of 5 body parts per patient, so you should prepare a ballpark amount of about $20,000. However, you may need to pay more than this as the doctor uncovers other body parts that need to undergo liposuction also.
When you check websites of plastic surgeons in Singapore, you may not be able to find much information on their charges for liposuction. This is normal due to the variation of prices per doctor and per body part. Your best option is to schedule a consultation so the doctor can give you an estimate on how much you should prepare for the entire procedure.
