Liposuction of the Mons Pubis
Liposuction of the mons pubis summary: This procedure is used to remove excess fat from the mons pubis, which is the area just above the female genitalia and below the abdomen. The name comes from the Roman goddess Venus, as this area is often associated with femininity and sensuality.
Liposuction of the mons pubis is a relatively quick and simple procedure that is usually performed under local anaesthesia, but general anaesthesia may be necessary depending on the patient’s wishes and the anaesthetist’s recommendations. After the operation, there may be some pain, swelling, and bruising, but these symptoms should decrease over time. During the liposuction procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions and uses a narrow tubular device, called a cannula, to suck out fat cells. This can help reduce the volume of the mons pubis, which may be desirable for aesthetic reasons or personal comfort. This can be particularly relevant for those who have undergone weight loss but have difficulty losing fat in this area, despite diet and exercise.
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks and potential side effects, such as infection, bleeding, scarring, or uneven contour after the operation. It’s important to discuss these with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Oya before the operation.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction of the mons pubis?
- Health Status: Patients should be generally healthy and not have any medical conditions that could complicate the surgery or the healing process. Conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease, poor circulation, or a history of blood clots or infections can potentially pose increased risk during and after the operation.
- Realistic Expectations: While liposuction can improve body contours and self-esteem, it is not a solution for overweight or a substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise. Patients should have realistic expectations about what the operation can achieve.
- Skin Elasticity: Ideally, patients should have a certain degree of skin elasticity. This is because the skin needs to be able to contract after fat has been removed. In people with loose skin, liposuction can lead to a “sagging” appearance of the skin after the operation.
- Weight: Patients who are close to their ideal weight but have stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise may be good candidates. Liposuction is most effective for removing smaller amounts of fat. It is not an effective method for general weight loss.
- Non-smokers: Smoking can complicate both the operation and the recovery. Smokers are usually advised to stop smoking several weeks before and after the operation.
What can I expect during a consultation for liposuction of the mons pubis?
During your consultation, you can expect to discuss:
- Medical History: Dr. Oya will ask questions about your medical history, including previous surgeries, current health conditions, medications you’re taking, allergies, and lifestyle (e.g., smoking, alcohol, and exercise routines).
- Physical Evaluation: Dr. Oya will perform a physical evaluation to assess your overall health and the specific area you want to treat. This may include measuring, photographing, and discussing the specific body areas.
- Discussion of Your Goals: You will discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations of the operation. Be honest and clear about what you hope to achieve, so Dr. Oya can give you a realistic assessment of what can be achieved and how.
- Risks and Benefits: Dr. Oya will discuss the risks, potential complications, and benefits of the procedure, as well as alternative treatment methods.
- Cost Information: You will be given information about the total costs of the operation.
- Preparations for the Operation: If you decide to proceed with the operation, Dr. Oya will provide instructions on how to prepare.
Questions to ask Dr. Oya about liposuction:
Prepare for your consultation by:
- Writing down all your symptoms with a timeline, medications, and health history, so you can talk about your issues systematically.
- Writing a list of your questions.
- Informing about your health and any health problems.
- Asking questions and demanding answers.
- Reading your medical records and bringing a copy or asking for access to them.
- Bringing a friend so they can support you.
Suggested questions to ask:
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- What is expected of me to get the best results?
- Where and how will you perform my procedure?
- Which surgical technique is recommended for me?
- How long can I expect the recovery period to be and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How are complications handled?
- How can I expect my body to look over time? After pregnancy?
– What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my liposuction?
Do you have before and after pictures that I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period:
- Where will I be taken after my operation is complete?
- What medication will I be given or prescribed after the operation?
- Will I have dressings/bandages after the operation?
- How long should I wear the compression garment?
- Are stitches removed? When?
- When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
- When do I return for follow-up care?
Risks of Liposuction:
The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal, and you must decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of liposuction are acceptable.
- Anaesthesia risks
- Bruising
- Changes in skin sensation that may persist
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Irregular contours or asymmetries
- Irregular pigmentation
- Need for revision surgery
- Persistent swelling
- Poor wound healing
- Rippling or loose skin, worsening of cellulite
- Seroma
- Thermal burn or heat injury from ultrasound with ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty technique
These risks and others will be fully discussed before you consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Oya.
How should I prepare for liposuction?
When preparing for liposuction surgery, you may be asked to:
- Have tests or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
When you book surgery, you will be given written instructions with detailed information about timing, our payment terms, and how to prepare.
You should arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up after the operation and stay with you the first night.
Liposuction – How is it done?
Liposuction involves the following steps:
Step 1 – Anaesthesia
Medication is administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
Step 2 – The incision
Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions.
First, diluted local anaesthesia is injected to reduce bleeding and trauma. Then a thin hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat with a controlled back and forth motion. The loosened fat is then suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe attached to the cannula.
Problem areas that can be addressed with liposuction
Step 3 – See the results
Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced after liposuction subside.
What can I expect after liposuction?
During liposuction recovery, a compression garment or elastic bandages may cover treatment areas when your procedure is completed. These help control swelling and compress the skin to your new body contours.
In addition, small temporary drains may be placed in existing incisions beneath the skin to remove excess blood or fluid.
You will be given specific instructions that may include:
- How to care for the surgical site and drains?
- Pain relief and medication to reduce the risk of infection.
- Specific concerns to look out for
- Where to go in case of emergencies?
It may take several months for the swelling to disappear completely.
What results should I expect after liposuction?
The results of liposuction will be long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and general fitness.
Your improved body contour will be apparent once the swelling and fluid retention commonly experienced after liposuction subside.
As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness, but most of your improvement should be relatively permanent.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
It is not possible to improve loose skin tone with liposuction.
Following your doctor’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery.
It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the healing period. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself.