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On the faces of legislators and stellar fashion followers, deep cheekbones are always emphasized, and sometimes drawn. Clear lines give character to the face, expressiveness to the look, and some kind of elusive charisma to the whole image. Plump cheeks are usually associated with youth and slight negligence. Cheeks have a huge impact on the shape of the face and the perception of our appearance. You are not satisfied with the size, structure, amount of adipose tissue under the skin? Consider laser liposuction. What is this procedure, who needs it and are there alternative methods for correcting appearance?
General characteristics of liposuction
Liposuction is a type of surgical intervention. It helps to eliminate excessive accumulations of adipose tissue in various parts of the human body. It is important to understand that liposuction will not help get rid of obesity. The method helps to neutralize a limited amount of fat and does not affect the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, with an appropriate lifestyle, the old parameters will return sooner or later. If the patient is satisfied with the result of liposuction and wants to keep it as long as possible, the diet should be reviewed, minimal physical activity should be introduced into life and addiction should be abandoned.
What is the difference between laser liposuction and standard surgical liposuction? The laser method is more effective and safer for the patient. When using it, the rehabilitation period is reduced, possible risks and side effects are minimized, and the visual perception of the intervention area is improved. Moreover, laser liposuction eliminates fat deposits from hard-to-reach areas, which the standard surgical method cannot handle.
For manipulations on the face, surgeons advise choosing a laser method. It is less traumatic and will help preserve the aesthetic appearance of the skin. The scar after laser liposuction is minimal and, after the recovery period, becomes almost invisible. The main thing is to carry out intervention according to indications in a specialized medical institution.
Indications/contraindications for intervention
Laser liposuction of the cheeks is indicated for excessive accumulation of fat in this area. Doctors recommend surgery only as a last resort. For example, if even with a scrupulous calculation of BJU and high-quality strength training in the gym, it is impossible to get rid of chubby cheeks. A patient who decides to undergo an intervention must have firm and elastic skin. Otherwise, it will become even more loose, uneven, and dimples will form on the surface. The person’s weight should be average or slightly above average. Obese patients are advised to abandon liposuction and use traditional methods of appearance correction (sport / diet / massage).
The general condition of the patient should be satisfactory. If there are infections, injuries or abnormalities in the body, they must first be eliminated.
Contraindications for laser intervention:
- pregnancy, menstruation or breastfeeding in women;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- temporary deterioration in health status (for example, SARS);
- exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- malignant neoplasms;
- impaired blood clotting;
- HIV infection, hepatitis B and C;
- unstable psychological state.
How is the operation going?
The first stage is preparation. The surgeon examines the intervention area, marks the areas that need to be corrected, and the incision area. In most cases, along with liposuction, a facelift is also performed. The combination of procedures is necessary for patients with sagging skin, on which traces of age-related changes are clearly visible. Lifting visually improves the quality of the skin, neutralizes sagging and uneven tissue.
The next step is anesthesia. It can be either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. The method of anesthesia is selected in advance, based on the individual characteristics of the body and the area of intervention. Once the painkiller has taken effect, the doctor proceeds with the operation. The surgeon makes a thin incision into which the cannula is inserted. This is a thin hollow tube made of dense material. Its diameter is calculated in millimeters, which guarantees minimal damage to soft tissues. The specialist selects the optimal location for the cannula, then inserts a fiber-optic probe into it.
The fiber optic probe serves as a source of laser energy. After it gets inside, the process of artificial lipolysis starts. What it is? Lipolysis is the breakdown of fat cells and their subsequent conversion into energy. It is lipolysis that gives the largest amount of ATP (a universal source of energy for all internal processes in our body). Laser lipolysis works on a different principle. The laser heats each fat cell, which destroys its membrane. As a result, the cell changes its structure, enters the bloodstream, and then moves to the liver, where it is neutralized naturally.
With large accumulations of adipose tissue, part of the destroyed cells is pumped out using a cannula.
The main advantage of the laser method is the stimulation of collagen production and the effect on blood vessels. Collagen is the main structural protein of the human body. It is he who is responsible for the elasticity and beauty of our skin. A temporary increase in collagen synthesis has a beneficial effect on tissue repair and its appearance. As for the blood vessels, the laser wave literally seals them, neutralizing the bleeding.
After the manipulations, the surgeon treats the wound, stitches and fixes the bandage. At first, it will restrain the functionality of the face, which can affect vulnerable tissues and help to form the desired shape. The operation itself lasts an average of 3 hours. The first 2-3 days the patient stays in the hospital under medical supervision. If the body parameters are within the normal range, the person is discharged and a specific rehabilitation course is prescribed.
Rehabilitation period
The recovery period takes an average of 1-2 months. The patient must regularly visit a doctor, take medication, treat the intervention area and adjust the usual rhythm of life. The final result of liposuction can be assessed after 2-4 months. Approximately this amount of time is required for the skin to fully recover.
The first month the patient is forced to wear a tight bandage on his face. It can be removed only with the permission of the surgeon, otherwise bruises, swelling, hematomas and other complications may occur. During the entire rehabilitation period, a person will have to reduce activity to a minimum. The head and neck should be protected from mechanical injury and overexertion. Choose a comfortable position for surfing the Internet, reading a book or other passive rest so that your muscles are as relaxed as possible.
For a while, you should refuse to visit the pool, baths, facial massage, shaving and applying cosmetics. Also, doctors advise limiting the time spent in the sun. UV rays can cause pigmentation and slow down tissue repair. For each patient, a special type of nutrition is selected. A person should receive the full amount of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, but not gain weight and preferably not swell. To do this, it is enough to calculate the KBZhU, refuse food waste and drink enough water.
Possible complications
Immediately after surgery, swelling develops on the face and neck. This is a normal reaction of the body to soft tissue injury. The swelling should go away on its own within a few days. If the bandage was removed ahead of time, then scars, bruises or bruises may form on the intervention area. To avoid this, do not self-medicate and strictly follow the therapeutic course.
It is important to understand that the first few days after the manipulation, the patient experiences pain. Its intensity can vary and depends on individual indicators. To neutralize the pain, the surgeon prescribes medication. The main thing is to follow the rules for the use of medicines prescribed by the doctor.
Infection can be extremely dangerous for the body. The infection spreads throughout the subcutaneous space that was involved in the operation, and causes severe purulent lesions. How to avoid it? Choose your clinic and surgeon carefully. Infection can be introduced simply during the operation, if performed in non-sterile conditions. Until the surgeon removes the stitches, try to limit activity and spend this time at home. Treat the wound daily with antiseptics, monitor personal hygiene and try to protect the operated area from harmful effects.
Any unpleasant symptoms or abnormalities should be reported to the doctor. He diagnoses the cause and neutralizes the complication. The main thing – do not try to eliminate pathogenic manifestations on your own.
The psychological aspect of the intervention
Laser liposuction of the cheeks is a controversial procedure in terms of patient health. A high risk of complications, long-term rehabilitation, constant monitoring by specialists and enormous stress are not always relevant to a new person. Most often, women agree to the intervention. The reasons for this are extremely varied. Someone has been nurturing the idea of liposuction since school, someone is desperately fighting aging, someone refuses to notice more global changes in the body (for example, obesity or hormonal failure that leads to weight gain). Many simply do not have the patience to wait for the results of training / dieting, and the only effective method seems to be surgery. Why?
The shape and size of the cheeks is an anatomical feature that can change with age or under the influence of both external and internal factors. Most babies are born with a puffy face. For some, it changes during puberty, for others it persists for life. This is a genetic lottery that should not affect a healthy perception of yourself and your own appearance. If you decide on cheek liposuction because of internal problems, be sure to work them out with a specialist.
Plastic surgery will not help you accept yourself, get rid of ridicule or forget unpleasant episodes from the past. Be sure to consult with a psychologist before visiting the clinic. Perhaps, after a few sessions, the idea of liposuction will seem inappropriate to you.
In addition, psychologists distinguish several categories of people who cannot or are not recommended to undergo plastic surgery. This list includes patients who completely reshape their body. Surgical intervention becomes an integral part of their life, completely occupies consciousness and prevents them from objectively perceiving reality. Changes in appearance are also recommended to be abandoned by people who strive for a certain ideal or suffer from mental illness.