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07587 692 005
Liposuction
This is a highly specialist liposuction service and is very different to normal cosmetic liposuction. Lipoedema liposuction removes large volumes of fat from below your skin, dramatically reducing the size of your leg or arm . Since the large volumes of fat removed can result in major shifts of body fluid immediately after surgery, Mr Ghattaura undertakes this procedure in 3-5 stages, to maintain a safe threshold of fat removal during each operation. Ultimately, Mr Ghattaura aims to give you a leg or arm, proportional to the rest of your body in the safest possible way. Most of his patients describe a significant reduction in the heaviness and pain they feel and in most cases, are able to wear normal clothing again.
Mr Ghattaura uses the Bodyjeyt system for his lipoedema liposuction – a specialised device that gently removes fat from the leg or arm using a spray of water and suction. He feels that this system is the safest way to reduce limb volume,, whilst minimising your risks. Bodyjet liposuction has the added benefit of reduced bruising after surgery, reduced pain and less damage to nearby structures.
Mr Ghattaura has extensive experience of this highly specialised liposuction procedure and offers this surgery privately. He works extremely closely with his lymphoedema therapy colleagues, understanding the need for joint care though this complex surgery.
What’s involved in the procedure?
Mr Ghattaura will first make sure that you are medically fit to undergo this complex procedure, with no significant medical problems. The ideal patient for this surgery has a large leg or arm, with a soft feel and good skin quality. In addition, you must have a BMI below 35 and have no significant medical problems. In some cases, Mr Ghattaura may recommend that you undergo bariatric weight loss surgery before being considered for this form of liposuction.
Mr Ghattaura will first carefully assess you in his clinic with his lymphoedema therapists, to assess the quality of your skin and fat. The therapy team will then measure you for post-surgery garments and prepare you for surgery.
On the day of surgery, Mr Ghattaura will consent you and his anaesthetist will offer you a pre-med. The surgery lasts between 3-4hrs and is performed under general anaesthetic (with you asleep). Mr Ghattaura will also arrange for you to have a urinary catheter whilst you are asleep, so his team can continually measure your body fluid volume changes during and after surgery.
Mr Ghattaura will then use the Bodyjet liposuction system to carefully remove fat, protecting your vital structures (nerves, blood vessels) as well as your skin. The liposuction tubes are passed into the fat of you leg or arm via multiple, very small keyhole incisions. At the end of surgery, these incisions are closed using dissolvable stitches and small dressings are applied, Mr Ghattaura will then apply compression garments to your limbs and then send you back to the ward when you are pain-free. Mr Ghattaura insists that you are very carefully monitored for the next 24hrs after surgery, checking for any bleeding into your limbs and any blood pressure or pulse changes. Mr Ghattaura will then personally take your dressings down the following morning to check your skin is intact and then reapply the same garments. After this, you will be encouraged to walk with the physiotherapists along the hospital corridor and up and down the stairs, to make sure you are safe to go home. You should expect to stay in hospital for 2-3 days before you are discharged.
Recovery
The recovery for this surgery is quite long and you will need to prepare for this, physically and mentally. You’ll need lots of support from friends and family in the first few weeks after surgery. You should expect swelling, bruising and some pain for the first 6 weeks after surgery. Most people plan a restful first week and then start moving more in the second week. You will most likely need 4-6 weeks off light work and 6-12 week off more physical activities like the gym. Mr Ghattaura will also prescribe you specialised pain killers for the first 2-4 weeks after surgery and blood thinning injections for 6 weeks. The swelling normally takes 3-months to subside and you will need to wait this long before seeing your final limb size. During this time, Mr Ghattaura and his team will be in regular contact with you to assess your progress and provide you with necessary advise.
It is important to remember, that this is not your normal cosmetic liposuction as the volumes removed are much larger and the specialised methods of fat removal are also very different. Bodyjet liposuction remains an excellent choice for lipoedema, if you have a moderate volume increase and are not medically well. The surgery is safe as long as it is performed in stages to control the volume losses. Overall, Mr Ghattaura’s patients report high levels of satisfaction after this surgery, as their limbs dramatically decrease in size and they can start to wear normal clothing.