Fat Sucked Out Liposuction is a medical procedure of suctioning fat from just under the skin and between the muscle tissue. It includes making small incisions in the skin, attaching cannulae or tubes to pump out the fat.
Explains Dr Sasikanth, consultant plastic surgeon at Global Hospitals: “A 2-3 mm incision is made in the skin. Cannulae are put in through this incision and a drug is administered that loosens the fat.
After a few minutes, the fat is drained out. ” He says it’s a perfectly safe procedure. “Liposuction has been there since the early 1970s and is now available across the world. In fact, in the US and Europe, liposuction is conducted in combination with other procedures. It is no longer a big deal. ” The Lipo Protocol A person who wishes to undergo the procedure is first given a thorough examination.
Dr D Bhavani Prasad, consultant plastic surgeon at Yashoda Hospital, says it is essential to ensure that a person is physically fit. “Most importantly, we check to see if the patient has hernia or a weak abdomen. If he does, then the procedure cannot be conducted, especially if the area of interest is the abdomen. Of all the body areas that the procedure can be conducted on, the abdomen is the trickiest.
” Dr Sasikanth adds, “Patients with uncontrolled diabetes and/or a heart condition are also not encouraged to undergo the procedure as it could lead to complications.
” Other criteria under which doctors turn away prospective patients is when they are blatantly lazy and are not motivated enough to maintain themselves and obese people whose body mass index is above 35.
“The ideal amount of fat that can be removed is 10 per cent of the total body weight.
Removing more than that leads to complications such as low haemoglobin levels which lead to giddiness, fatigue and other related complications for almost a month,” says Dr Prasad.
Last Option, Not the First Dr Prasad says liposuction is by far the most asked for and performed procedure for both men and women. People who seek liposuction mostly fall under two categories: girls in their 20s who are about to be married and people in their 40s and 50s, who are well settled.
Pointing out that many people look at the fat reduction procedure as a one-time solution to weight loss, he says, “I turn away patients when I can see that they haven’t made any conscious effort to lose weight.
Liposuction comes with necessary lifestyle changes. Unless someone has tried everything to lose weight and isn’t seeing much of a difference or needs more help, liposuction is not advisable.
” No Going Back to the Couch While doctors agree that their patients know what the procedure entails, the catch is in figuring out if the patient is motivated enough.
“It is advisable to put patients through rigorous tests to check their health and prepare for all eventualities. But all of that will be wasted if they go back to a sedentary lifestyle.
To that extent, when a patient is looking at multiple areas for fat reduction, I space the procedures with a three to six month gap in between. By the next schedule, I then decide whether it is required or not, based on the patient’s lifestyle,” explains Dr Sasikanth.
Reiterating that is not about the weight but about the person, he adds that liposuction is only a temporary means to help get ahead with one’s weight loss programme.
The Cost The cost of the procedure varies from doctor to doctor, but the average is between Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. While at Global Hospital, the charges begin at Rs 25,000, Dr Prasad says that it depends on the area.
“Different regions heal at different rates and based on that it will depend on whether a patient will need to stay over for the night.
The chest heals the fastest and costs about Rs 25,000- 30,000. The abdomen, thighs and hip areas costs around Rs 40,000-50,000. The can however go up to about `80,000.
” At Yashoda Hospital, the average is higher at `70,000. While the range begins at `45,000, Dr Sasikanth says that most patients prefer staying for a day or two. “Especially if the surgery is around the buttocks or the waist, there is a level of discomfort and pain; so patients usually stay a day.
Hence costs go up to about Rs 1 lakh. ” Vox Pop The consensus is that liposuction isn’t all that risky. But in the light of the death of the JNTUH research scholar, doctors feel it is necessary for hospitals to provide counselling.
Says Dr Prasad, “Technically, we are on a par with facilities abroad. Our surgical expertise is good. But the auxiliary components such as pre- and postoperative counselling and follow up needs to improve drastically. ” Sangeetha, a marketing executive, says, “There is a lot of importance given to looks and that is more often than not the motivating factor.
A lot of people have benefited from it for sure, but the key is doing your research well - not just about liposuction but also which facility.
” Actress Lakshmi Manchu says, “When we can spend so much of time and energy on taking care of one’s car, then taking care of the body should rank higher; after all the body is one’s temple.
If it makes one feel better about themselves, then power to them, but nothing replaces exercise and physical activity. ” Dr Diana Montiero, director of the Hyderabad Academy of Psychology, points out that being thin is very cleverly marketed.
“Everywhere you look it’s the pumpkin versus the apple. I am a psychologist and I find myself thinking, ‘hey, wouldn’t it be nice to be the apple?’ There is too much of stress on the body image.
Liposuction is fine if it is medically necessary. But there is not enough attention paid to psychological health in India, and that increases the risk exponentially.
From my experience with my clients, I think only 10 per cent of people who get the procedure done are truly aware. Because awareness requires insight, and if you had that, you’d already be exercising and keeping a check on your weight.”
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