3D Liposuction

The 3D method of liposuction

When excess fat has built up around the abdomen and hips, on the thighs, calves, ankles or under the chin, liposuction is one of the most common surgical methods for improving the shape and appearance of the body. The method is very popular, but it keeps developing, and every improvement has both advantages and drawbacks. Now, however, an optimal method has been found that differs radically from ordinary liposuction. Dr. Feldmanis Private Clinic offers a modern method of body contouring – liposuction with the EVA sp® 6, the world’s most advanced 3D technology device. It guarantees a safe, painless and immediate result without general anaesthesia.

How does the 3D method work?

Every liposuction procedure consists of two parts: first, the fat is liquefied by introducing a specially prepared solution into the subcutaneous fat, and second, the fat is suctioned out.

The ordinary method requires the surgeon to carry out the procedure with a special instrument – a cannula – which has to be pushed through the fatty tissue by force. For the surgeon this is fairly heavy work, and for the patient it is a traumatic procedure, because the cannula tears the tissue, causing bruising and a longer recovery period.

The new 3D method differs in that the cannula is fixed in a special handpiece which makes it move simultaneously in three dimensions – rotation, vibration and penetration. All the movements happen at the same time, at high frequency and with a small amplitude. This allows the surgeon to hold the handpiece lightly and guide the cannula in the required direction. The procedure is therefore easy for both the patient and the surgeon, because the cannula slides through the fatty tissue with minimal trauma to it.

Infiltration cannulas come in different lengths, and the surgeon chooses them according to need. First, saline, sodium bicarbonate, adrenaline and lidocaine are introduced through the infiltration cannula in order to dissolve the fat cells and numb the area. This is done taking into account the patient’s age, approximate pain threshold, weight and the amount of fat to be removed. Once the whole area has been liquefied, suction begins from the place where the fluid was introduced first. The surgeon usually starts with larger cannulas, removing large volumes of fat, and then continues with smaller ones, doing a kind of fine polishing so that the result is as aesthetic as possible. The incision through which the cannula is inserted is not stitched, so that the excess fluid can leave the body. The incision has usually healed within a week.

If there are many problem areas – arms, abdomen, sides, thighs, buttocks – the surgeon decides individually in which order to carry out the liposuction. In such cases the procedure is usually performed in two stages. The next operation can be performed two or three weeks after the first.

Advantages of the method

The 3D method has several advantages over other liposuction methods. One of the most important is that it causes little trauma, so recovery is much shorter and the patient can return to their usual life sooner. After the classic liposuction method there is heavy bruising, the patient has more post-operative pain, and recovery takes longer. With the 3D method there is far less bruising, less pain and faster recovery.

Another benefit is that the handpiece holding the cannula emits infrasound into the fatty tissue. Under its influence the fatty tissue releases endorphin, the happiness hormone, which produces a tickling sensation – which is why in the USA this procedure is called TICKLE LIPO.

All of this means that general anaesthesia is not needed. The method is therefore suitable for people for whom general anaesthesia is contraindicated for some reason. It also suits someone who is simply afraid of anaesthesia, afraid of falling asleep.

Because full anaesthesia is not used, the procedure is easier: the patient can turn onto their side or lift an arm or a leg. After the procedure the patient rests in the ward and can go home later.

When is the method suitable and when is it not?

Before the procedure the patient is examined, and if their state of health is suitable there are no restrictions on carrying it out. It is important that the person does not have severe heart or blood-clotting disorders, or an allergy to lidocaine, the anaesthetic used for local anaesthesia.

The tickling sensation during the procedure is of course considered an advantage of the method, yet every patient perceives it differently – for some it is pleasant and the procedure passes in laughter, some are indifferent and even fall asleep, while others feel discomfort. However, there have been no cases where a patient has been unable to tolerate the procedure.

This procedure could be recommended as possibly the best method for an older woman with a large amount of fat in the abdominal area. Why? An operation such as abdominoplasty would be serious surgery under general anaesthesia, followed by a long recovery period. The 3D liposuction method is an alternative which, along with the benefits already mentioned, would improve the woman’s quality of life in a much shorter time.

If a young person comes to the surgeon wanting liposuction, the doctor and the patient first talk about how to solve the problem of excess weight naturally – with physical activity and a healthy diet. There are cases, however, where a vicious circle has formed: the excess weight is so great that it limits movement, and being unable to move enough, the person’s weight increases further. In such a situation liposuction can be a stimulus for further activity.

Complications? Minimal!

With this method the complications could be the same as with any other liposuction method, but they are many times less likely. There are practically no haematomas requiring drainage, there is far less bruising, and post-operative pain is milder as well. Because the method is gentler on the connective tissue, the skin contracts much better, especially if the patient is under 40.

During the procedure the small subcutaneous sensory nerves are injured, but they recover in time.

The readings on the display of the 3D liposuction device allow the doses of fluid injected into each area to be measured to the millilitre. An incorrect dose is therefore impossible. A special safety system blocks the cannula and stops the procedure if it meets a substance denser than fatty tissue, such as muscle or ribs.

Because there is usually some disturbance of lymph flow after such a procedure, lymphatic drainage should be carried out about 2-3 weeks after the operation; it improves lymph flow and skin elasticity and evens out unevenness.

Special garment

Immediately after the procedure the patient is given a special compression garment, adapted to each part of the body where liposuction is possible – the chin, the neck, the upper arms and so on – which helps the treated area heal faster. After the 3D method it has to be worn day and night for 1-2 weeks, and then for another 1-2 weeks during the day only.

Myths and truth

It is often said that fat cells grow back. A myth! The number of fat cells is fixed, and during life they can either expand or shrink. That depends on each person’s genetics, lifestyle and metabolism. If the fat is removed, those cells are no longer in the body and they do not come back in the same place. But! If a healthy lifestyle is not followed and there is no physical activity, the existing fat cells can grow in a completely different place. If fat has been removed from the abdomen, it may expand, for example, on the arms, where no liposuction was performed.

Of course, liposuction does not solve every problem at once. It only improves the shape of the body. Ideally, therefore, one should come for this procedure after about six months of active exercise and healthy eating, when areas that are hard to slim down still remain – the abdomen around the navel, the sides, and in women also the inner thighs.

Recommendations

*After liposuction, heat treatments (a hot bath or a sauna) are not recommended, as they can cause bleeding.

*Fermented drinks (beer, wine, champagne) are not recommended.

*If healing goes well, you can gradually start exercising two weeks after the operation.

*It is advisable to take up a new lifestyle that includes both healthy food and physical activity.

*We recommend attending lymphatic drainage and vacuum massage treatments two weeks after the operation.