Once removed, will the fat come back?
The operation is quite controversial. So far, it’s only being done by a handful of surgeons in the United States and a relatively small number of patients have undergone the procedure.
For this reason, many surgeons are still skeptical — taking a wait-and-see stance until larger numbers of patients have had the operation and can be followed for long-term results.
The procedure is done a bit differently by each surgeon, which complicates things further. Even the name varies from doctor to doctor - it’s been termed “fat suction,” “cellulipectorny” and “suction curettage.”
One thing is clear, however: The operation isn’t a miracle cure for overall obesity; it’s designed to remove only those disproportionate pads of localized fat often labeled “cellulite.” (The word “cellulite” has been used to refer to dimply “orange peel” skin, fat pads or both. Under a microscope, the fat itself is exactly like any other fat, although for reasons not clearly understood it seems to stubbornly resist diet and exercise.)
How does the new operation banish fat, leaving only a small scar behind?
An incision — from a half inch to about an inch long, depending upon who’s doing it — is made near the fat pocket (often in a hidden area), and the fat is “suctioned” out via a tube.
The operation usually takes about an hour or less and is normally performed under general anesthesia.
Postoperative pain is usually mild, and normal activities can often be resumed two to three days after surgery.
The suction technique also has several potential drawbacks, however. For one, you may be left slim but ripply -especially if you’re over 35 or have poor skin elasticity. One plastic surgeon, explains: “Up until the age of 35, most people’s skin tone is remarkably good. As you get older, or if you’ve gained and lost a great deal of weight, its ability to contract diminishes — and the likelihood of rippling increases accordingly.”
Extra skin could be surgically removed by making a large incision and taking a tuck in the skin, but that would negate the main advantage of the new technique — the absence of long, noticeable scars.
Another potential problem is the risk of nerve damage. It is possible that the skin’s sensory nerves could be injured during suctioning, resulting in some numbness of the area. Sensation usually returns in about six months, but, infrequently, complete nerve regeneration may never occur.
Despite these potential side effects, American plastic surgeons doing the operation have reported that the majority of their patients are satisfied with the results.
In the long run, one concern is, Will the fat come back? Surgeons generally believe the results are permanent. They caution, however, that if you eat too much and don’t exercise enough, you will of course gain weight — although added fat is likely to be more evenly distributed over your whole body.
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