Liposuction by St James

Description

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LIPOSUCTION?
Liposuction is a treatment for the removal of excess fat. It is ideally suited for the removal of localised fat deposits especially on the thighs, buttocks, hips, loins, abdomen, arms, neck, inner
knees and ankles. It can lead to permanent change in body shape and is very useful to treat stubborn areas that are resistant to diet and exercise. It is not a suitable treatment for generalised obesity and will not improve cellulite or stretch marks. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells which are never replaced and hence the change in body shape can be permanent. However, the remaining fat cells can increase in size as weight is gained and so weight loss may not bepermanent unless a healthy lifestyle is adopted.
Liposuction may also be used for the treatment of lipomas (benign (non-cancerous) tumours of fat), gynaecomastia (fatty breast development in men), and for adjusting the shape of breasts after reconstructive surgery.

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?
Liposuction is usually performed under a general anaesthetic (the patient is asleep). In some cases, for treatment on the lower body, it can be performed with an epidural like that used for women in labour. This involves a needle in the back which numbs the lower half of the body but leaves the patient
conscious. Local anaesthetic is only suitable for liposuction on very small areas of the body and is not often used. In most cases the surgery can be performed as a day case and therefore does not usually require an overnight stay in hospital.
After the anaesthetic, the surgeon will make small cuts in the skin between 1 and 2 cms long in the areas to be treated. A rigid tube can then be passed under the skin into the fat. The tube is attached to a strong suction device. The tube is passed back and forth to break up the fat which is then sucked out by the vacuum. For very small areas a simple syringe may be all that is needed to create the vacuum.

There are a few different techniques that can be used. “Wet” liposuction involves injecting fluid into the fat before removal. The fluid may contain local anaesthetic and adrenaline to help reduce bleeding. Ultrasound liposuction can be used for stubborn fat deposits and involves the use of ultrasound before
the surgery to break up the fat.
There are limits on the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one go and so multiple operations may be required at intervals of a few months.

If you decide on surgery you will undergo some simple health checks and be required to sign a consent form giving permission for the operation. This requires that you are aware of the risks and complications involved with the procedure. In most cases you will be allowed to go home the same day or
the fullowing but, following a general anaesthetic, you will not be able to drive and will need someone to help out at home for the first 24 hours.

You will probably need simple painkillers to help with any discomfort and wear a supportive corset or pressure bandages around the treated areas. It is advisable to wear these for a few weeks following the treatment although it is permissible to remove them for washing. You will also be given instructions about looking after the wounds and having stitches removed.

THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
There are general risks associated with a general anaesthetic including chest infection especially in smokers. Deep Vein Thrombosis (also known as DVTs or clots in the veins of the legs) can also occur which can break off and travel to the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolus and can, although very rare, be life threatening.
Complications specific to liposuction include:
Bleeding under the skin, known as a haematoma. This can be very uncomfortable and in a few cases it may be necessary to go back to the operating theatre to stop the bleeding and remove the clot. Infection may require antibiotic treatment.
Scars: The scars will be very small but some people have a tendency to form lumpy red scars which can be unsightly.
If ultrasound is used, there may be some permanent changes to the colour of the overlying skin and some loss of normal feeling in that area.
With wet liposuction there are a couple of additional specific complications. Pulmonary oedema, which is a fluid build up in the lungs, can occur as a result of the fluid that is injected. This causes problems with breathing and needs immediate treatment. The fluid used can also cause allergic reactions.

It is also important to be aware that it is impossible to guarantee that the skin will be perfectly smooth, even after treatment. Some numbness can occur and there may be significant bruising and swelling which may take several months to settle completely. In some cases there may be significant loose skin after the liposuction which may require further surgery to have this removed.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?
Most patients will need between 7 and 10 days off work depending on the job and strenuous exercise is not advised for the first month. Patients would usually be fit to fly after one week.

ABOUT ST JAMES HOSPITAL
Many foreigners are choosing to travel to Malta to receive medical and surgical treatment. Malta combines a high level of medical expertise coupled with an ideal climate, best suited to enhance convalescence. Malta is no stranger to Medical Tourism, having a strong record in the field of medicine and a long tradition of care, also referred to in history as 'The hospital of the Mediterranean.'

We are registered with the Malta Tourism Authority and acts as your 24 hour, personal concierge during your stay as you undergo cosmetic surgery in Malta. We are your key interface from first enquiry to your return home and beyond. Our customer care team liaises with you during your extended convalescence back in your home country to provide support, advice and to gather your feedback on our service. We work hand in hand with the leading private hospital Group on the island, which is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by fully qualified doctors and nurses who are multilingual, being fluent in English, Maltese & Italian. The services offered are comprehensive, ranging from simple blood tests to diagnostic scans, from cosmetic surgery to dental services, from hair removal by laser to complex cardiac surgery.

The Hospital hosts ten modern and high-tech operating theatres which are equipped with advanced anaesthesia equipment. Our doctors are trained and qualified in the EU and the USA and have specialised and worked in leading hospitals and Universities in England, Scotland, Ireland, USA and other countries. We also provide for post operation physiotherapy which is backed up by a well-equipped rehabilitation gymnasium.

All private rooms are situated within comfortable and spacious wards, supervised day and night by an exceptional team of doctors and nurses. The rooms are single-bedded with an en-suite bathroom/shower, colour cable TV, telephone, air-conditioning, and a nurse call system keeping you in immediate contact with the nursing staff. Tea/coffee facilities are also available in every room. Wireless internet network for laptop computers is available in the hospitals. Overnight facilities for relative/carer are provided. Relative/Carer can also opt to sleep with the patient in the same room.

Many satisfied patients have commented on the luxurious and warm environment found in the hospital which, quoting them, 'makes you feel like you are staying in a hotel with special care and medical assistance.' The service and quality of our accommodation is in fact five star quality, forming an excellent synergy with the professional medical and nursing staff who run our wards.

Edward and Lucianne are our customer care representatives, and they will be your first point of contact with us. They handle all patients from arrival to departure, and will be in touch with you before and during your stay, providing you with support and peace of mind. We offer some of the best value for money you'll find anywhere for cosmetic surgery abroad, with no compromise on quality, service, care and convenience. Our top procedures are listed on the right, but we also offer various combinations and packages at favorable rates.