Hydrolipo is a plastic surgery indicated to remove localized fat from various parts of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, flanks, buttocks, knees or inner or outer thighs, for example, and reshape the body contour, as it removes the fat between the skin and muscle, applying saline solution to the region to soften the fat and then suction it.
Hydrolipo, also called tumescent liposuction or local liposuction, is performed under local anesthesia, meaning the person remains awake throughout the procedure and can inform the medical team of any discomfort they may be feeling.
This plastic surgery is performed by a plastic surgeon, in specialized clinics or hospitals, and as it is performed under local anesthesia, recovery is faster and there is a lower risk of complications than common liposuction. See how liposuction is done.
When is it indicated
Hydrolipo is indicated for remodeling the body contour, removing fat located between the skin and muscle in different parts of the body.
Generally, hydrolipo is indicated to eliminate small amounts of localized fat in people who are close to their ideal weight, but who cannot eliminate the fat with diet and exercise, and is not recommended for people who want to lose a lot of weight or suffer from obesity. .
In which places can it be done?
The most recommended places on the body for hydrolipo are:
- Abdomen;
- Hips;
- Thighs;
- Buttocks;
- Face;
- Neck;
- Father;
- Mamas;
- Arms;
- Knees;
- Calves;
- Ankles.
Furthermore, hydrolipo can also be done on the flanks, which is the fat on the side of the belly and back.
Which doctor does hydrolipo?
The doctor who performs the hydrolipo is a plastic surgeon, who specializes in body repair and aesthetic procedures, and can indicate the best type of treatment individually and according to the person’s goals.
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How to prepare
To prepare for hydrolipo, some precautions must be taken, such as:
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to anestheticsiodine, latex or any other type of medicine;
- Inform your doctor about the use of anticoagulant medicationssuch as warfarin, heparin, rivaroxaban, acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel, as the doctor may advise stopping these medications a few days before surgery;
- Bring a list of all medicationsvitamins and nutritional supplements that you take frequently;
- Quit smokingin the case of people who have a habit of smoking, at least 2 weeks before hydrolipo so as not to interfere with healing;
- Take your usual medicines normallywith little water, as per medical advice;
- Avoid taking medications that have not been prescribed by your doctorincluding home remedies and teas;
- Fast for at least 8 hours before surgery, as advised by the doctor;
- Bring a companion on the day of surgeryas driving should be avoided after the procedure.
Furthermore, on the day of surgery, it is important to bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with buttons at the front, which are easier to remove, to wear after surgery.
How it is made
Hydrolipo is performed by a plastic surgeon in aesthetic surgery clinics or hospitals, under local anesthesia. The person must remain awake throughout the procedure but will not be able to see what the doctors are doing, similar to what happens during a cesarean section, for example.
To carry out the procedure, the plastic surgeon must follow some steps, which include:
- Cleanse from the skin with antiseptic solutionssuch as chlorhexidine or topical PVPI;
- Apply local anesthesia such as adrenalinein the region where the hydrolipo will be performed, to reduce sensitivity in the area and prevent blood loss;
- Make a small cut in the area so that a microtube connected to a vacuum can be introduced;
- Apply saline solution to the area to soften localized fat;
- Perform back and forth movements with the microtubeto cause the fat to be sucked out and placed in a storage system.
When the doctor finishes suctioning out all the desired fat, he or she applies the dressing and recommends placing a belt or an elastic compression garment to help contract the skin and help it heal.
The average duration of the hydrolipo varies between 2 and 3 hours, and after the procedure the person is taken to a room where they remain under observation, being released home the same day.
What is recovery like?
Post-operatively, it is recommended that the person rest and do not exert themselves, and depending on the recovery and the area aspirated, the person can return to their normal activities within 3 to 20 days.
Food should be light and foods rich in water and healing foods are more recommended, such as eggs and fish rich in omega 3. The person should leave the hospital bandaged and with a belt and this should only be removed for the bath, and should be placed again next.
Manual lymphatic drainage can be performed before surgery and after lipo, being very useful for removing excess fluid that forms after surgery and reducing the risk of fibrosis, which are small hardened areas on the skin, providing a faster and more effective result. beautiful. The ideal is to perform at least 1 session before surgery and after lipo, drainage should be performed daily for 3 weeks. After this period, drainage must be carried out every other day for another 3 weeks. See how lymphatic drainage is done.
After 6 weeks of liposuction, there is no longer any need to continue with manual lymphatic drainage and the person can remove the belt and return to physical activity as well.
Possible risks
The risk of hydrolipo complications is minimal when performed by properly trained plastic surgeons, as only local anesthesia is applied and the substance present in the injection prevents bleeding and reduces the formation of bruises.
However, some complications may arise such as local pain during the procedure or after surgery or minor bleeding at the site.
Furthermore, there is a risk of the formation of seromas, which are liquids accumulated near the site of the scar, which can be reabsorbed by the body or will have to be removed by the doctor with the help of a syringe, days after surgery. Find out the factors that favor the formation of seroma and how to avoid it.
Who shouldn’t do
Hydrolipo should not be performed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people with active skin infections in the region where the surgery will be performed, diabetics, people with kidney disease, severe clotting disorders, severe cardiovascular disease, including the use of pacemaker.
What is the difference between hydrolipo, mini lipo and light lipo?
Despite having different names, both hydrolipo, mini lipo, light lipo and tumescent liposuction refer to the same aesthetic procedure. But the main difference between traditional liposuction and hydrolipo is the type of anesthesia used.
While traditional lipo is performed in a surgical center with general anesthesia, hydrolipo is performed with local anesthesia, however large doses of the substance are necessary to have the anesthetic effect.
