Liposuction surgery is an increasingly used procedure in Singapore to achieve better body contour and get rid of unnecessary body fat. How much fat could be removed is decided to depend on the patient’s fat deposits and their overall body weight and, generally, the procedure is considered safe.
However, still, there are concerns raised over the safety of the liposuction surgery in Singapore and people want to find out how much fat removal would be too much to cause safety concerns for the patients. Well, that’s certainly for the professionals to decide based on each individual patient but we can definitely try and understand what liposuction is and how safe it is in general.
What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction in Singapore is a surgical procedure which removes stubborn fat deposits on the body of the patient. A plastic surgeon usually carries out the procedure on areas like hips, thighs, belly, buttocks, arms, back, and under the face or chin to remove fat and improve the body contour.
There are certain rules on the amount of fat that could be removed but the exact quantity could be different for each patient. Generally, the maximum amount of fat that could be removed for full-body depends on the patient’s weight, size of the treatment area as well as the number of treatment areas.
There is a misconception that liposuction is a procedure for weight loss but that’s not the case. Liposuction can’t be taken as an overall weight-loss method. Instead, it is something that could help patients achieve better body contour.
Individuals who opt for liposuction surgery in Singapore generally have stable body weight and are interested in removing any unwanted fat deposits in certain areas of their body.
The concerns about the safety of liposuction surgery are actually because of some cases going wrong in past years which made headlines. However, if the procedure is carried out by qualified plastic surgeons, after a thorough analysis of the patient’s conditions and with the right goals and expectations in mind, it is generally safe.
Who Makes An Ideal Candidate For Liposuction Surgery In Singapore?
Liposuction surgery for body contouring is recommended for individuals who:
- Are inside 30% of their ideal weight
- Have firm and elastic skin
- Do not smoke
- Enjoy good health overall and have no known conditions that might complicate surgery – like restricted blood flow, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or weak immune system
- Have a healthy state of mind and realistic goals
When considering liposuction surgery, one should first consult with a plastic surgeon. Talk to them about the goals they have in mind and the options available. Discuss all the possible risks and benefits involved and, obviously, how much it is going to cost.
After deciding to undergo liposuction surgery in Singapore, they will be provided with preparation instructions by the surgeon. Generally, the instructions are related to diet and some alcohol restrictions.
It is also important to tell the surgeon about any medications the patient might be taking or any known allergies they may have. The surgeon might recommend stopping taking certain types of medications several weeks before the procedure, such as pain killers and blood thinners.
Which Type Of Fats Are Safe For Liposuction Removal?
Originally, liposuction surgery was used for treating minor contour irregularities only, but with the technological advances in surgery, it can now be used for effectively contouring several body areas. Even though liposuction surgery in Singapore can effectively help remove extra fat deposits from multiple areas of the body, it’s still not a weight loss or obesity treatment. Liposuction is a procedure designed for removing subcutaneous fat deposits which aren’t proportionate to the patient’s body.
Humans have two types of fats i.e. subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. There is only a certain percentage of these fats that could be deemed healthy for the human body. People tend to accumulate both subcutaneous and visceral fat due to unhealthy eating habits, stress, genetics, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Subcutaneous Fat
This type of fat is present below the epidermis layer of the skin. It’s the tissue which can be pinched externally. It is commonly found in the body types often called being “pear shaped”. The subcutaneous fat doesn’t have too much of a negative impact on an individual’s health and it doesn’t contribute to weight gain as much as visceral fat does.
Visceral Fat
This type of body fat is present in the abdominal cavity. It usually surrounds the internal organs of the body. Some of these organs include liver, heart, and pancreas. Accumulation of visceral fat can result in serious health issues. Some common conditions that result from the accumulation of visceral fat include heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol among others.
Plastic surgeons get proper training and have in-depth understanding of the anatomy of the human body. As a result, they understand better as to what type of fat they are dealing with in different areas of the body and can safely carry out liposuction. They have the knowledge and training to help them direct where the cannulas should go and how the fat should be removed. So, if a qualified plastic surgeon performs the procedure, it is generally safe.
Can We Remove All The Fat?
The human body requires some fat to perform its regular functions. The primary role the body fats play is to regulate the body temperature and store energy that could be used as fuel. It also helps protect vital organs and supports cell growth. Fats also help the body absorb nutrients and support the production of important hormones. So, not all fat could be removed as doing so would be detrimental to the body’s regular function.
Talking about the safe limits of liposuction, plastic surgeons will assess the patient’s weight and target area before estimating how much fat to remove. According to a newer study, the surgeons can also use the BMI of a patient to decide how much of fat removal would be safe for them.
Good surgeons always understand the factors which could make liposuction surgery dangerous for the patient and they never overdo the procedure to put patients at risk. Some factors that can make liposuction surgery dangerous include:
- Inappropriate patient selection
- Excessive intensity and duration of anaesthesia exposure
- Excessive surgical trauma
- Ineffective care after the procedure
In addition to the factors mentioned above, excessive liposuction can be dangerous as well. Precisely identifying a threshold for excessive liposuction may not be possible. However, a good surgeon will plan and advise what can realistically be removed in a session. The plastic surgeon’s observation of the patient’s progress during the procedure is equally important. In cases where removal of fat amounts to more than 2 litres, it is recommended for patients to be hospitalized for a night. Patients under observation will receive periodical monitoring to ensure that their body is adapting well after the liposuction procedure. Medication for pain management will also be given if required.
Cosmetic surgery isn’t some emergency procedure, and the patients of liposuction surgery shouldn’t be exposed to risks of excessive liposuction by over doing the procedure.
Excessive liposuction isn’t safe. It can result in gross irregularities of the skin. It is not necessary at all to go for mega liposuction and it can pose serious risks.
What Are The Risks Of Excessive Liposuction?
Excessive liposuction with too much fat removed from the body poses the following risks to the liposuction patients.
- Uneven contouring and smoothness
- Infections
- Lumps and bumps
- Reactions to the anaesthetic used
- Blood clot formation and fat embolism in worst cases
- Shock or difficulty in breathing
- Longer recovery periods
Given the nature of the procedure, an experienced plastic surgeon in Singapore who is familiar with the risk of liposuction surgery will definitely avoid excessive liposuction and keep it all safe for patients.
How To Ensure Long Lasting Results From Liposuction Surgery?
Long-lasting results can be achieved through liposuction surgery by:
- Following all the instructions given by the surgeon for post-operative care
- Reducing caloric intake and eating healthier
- Reducing simple carbs while eating more veggies, and complex carbs, and drinking more water
- Eating smaller portions instead of one big meal at a time
- Including some exercise in the everyday routine
Choosing A Plastic Surgeon Well Versed In Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction cost in Singapore and surgery should only be performed by an experienced and well-trained plastic surgeon. So, it is important that the surgeon chosen for the job has the required expertise and is also willing to:
- Perform liposuction within safe limits
- Avoid excessive removal of fats
- Schedule the days of the surgery one month apart, at least (if large amount if fat removal is involved)
- Avoid performing unrelated surgeries on a single day
Liposuction surgery is generally safe and should be carried out by an experienced and well-trained plastic surgeon. The patients must discuss any pre-existing medical conditions with the surgeon and talk to them about the surgery goals they have in mind before undergoing the procedure.
The surgeon can assess on an individual basis if it is safe to carry out the procedure on the patient in question. A plastic surgeon who is well-versed and understands the risk of this procedure will not go for excessive liposuction to keep it safe. In addition, liposuction surgery should be used as a way to achieve better body contours and not a procedure for weight loss. Schedule a consultation with us today.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
