Patient information (liposculpture or lipoplasty) Golden Jubilee National Hospital Agamemnon Street Clydebank, G81 4DY (: 0141 951 5000 www.nhsgoldenjubilee.co.uk Reviewed: May 2015 Next review: May 2016 Version 8
About this booklet The purpose of this booklet is to give you information about your operation and the care you will receive from staff. During your stay with us, our primary concern will be your comfort and return to good health. If you have any questions or concerns, our staff will be pleased to assist you in any way they can. Admissions The booking office staff will make admission plans with you and will make this as easy as possible. You may have been asked some personal details before you arrive which we may need to ask you again at admission. These may include contact numbers, your GP s name, address and telephone number and other relevant information. If at any time during your pre-operative assessment or any other medical assessments you would like to be chaperoned then please tell a member of nursing staff. What is liposuction (liposculpture or lipoplasty)? This is an operation to remove small areas of fat, it is not a treatment for weight control and cannot remove cellulite or stretch marks. It can be done on your abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, knees, ankles, upper arms, neck and sides, it can also be done on other areas as discussed with your surgeon i.e. breasts or face. 2
Before surgery You will be asked to attend for pre assessment to ensure that you are fit for surgery and anaesthetic. This will be either at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital or your own local hospital. Please bring along any tablets you are currently taking. You may be asked to provide a urine sample and a sample of blood will be taken. Surgery The procedure can take between one and two hours depending on how much fat you are having removed. There is a limit to the amount of fat that can safely be removed from each area, so it may not be possible to reduce an area as much as you would like. Your body will not replace the fat cells removed, however putting on weight can cause remaining fat cells to enlarge. It is important that you eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight after your operation. Surgery usually requires a one night stay and is done under a general anaesthetic. This may be done as a day case depending on the extent of your procedure and recovery. You will be sent out your fasting instructions and admission times by letter prior to your surgery date. The surgeon will visit you on the morning of surgery to discuss the operation and mark the site with a pen. You will be asked to sign the consent form for surgery; this confirms that you understand the risks and benefits and gives your permission for the procedure to go ahead. You may also be asked to consent for photographs to be taken as part of your medical record. 3
After surgery You will have to rest until the effects of the anaesthetic have worn off. You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort. You may have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated; this is usually removed when you are able to drink enough fluid. Your puncture wounds will be covered with small dressings and you will wear a support garment over these (tubi grip or bandages). If you had your abdomen, thighs or buttock treated, you may have been given specific support pants. You should be able to walk to the toilet with the nurse shortly after the procedure. You will be given advice by the nursing staff how to move so as not to put any strain on the wounds, you will experience some tightness around the wounds this is normal, you should continue to wear the support garment given to you for four to six weeks. Side effects: Bruising: this can be painful and take a month or so to clear. Swelling: this may not completely settle for a few months. Scarring: the puncture wounds are very small so will usually fades over the course of a year, but may not completely disappear. 4
Discharge advice Rest this evening and avoid strenuous activities. In the first 24 hours you must not: drive; drink alcohol; or use machinery. Take your usual medications and any that you may have been given by the nurse today. It is normal to feel some pain after surgery. You will be prescribed painkillers during your stay in hospital, and will be given some to take home. Other advice If a follow up appointment is required, you will be advised of this on discharge. Contact the hospital immediately after discharge for any advice. Contact your GP if: You have severe pain not relieved by medication. You have excess bleeding from the wound site. You have extreme redness or swelling around the wound site or drainage of pus. You are unable to pass urine. You have continual vomiting. You have a fever. In the event of an emergency, you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency. 5
Specific advice for discharge Mobility You will feel tired for the first few days following surgery. Rest for some of the time, but gradually increase your activity until you feel able to resume normal activities; this will take a few weeks. You should not go to your bed as if you were ill. Avoid heavy lifting for six weeks following surgery. It is advisable to wear your support stockings during the day until your activity has increased to near normal levels. Wounds Your surgeon and nurse will give you specific instructions on when to shower or bathe. Keep wounds dry unless instructed that it is safe to get them wet. i.e waterproof dressings. Driving At your follow up appointment your GP or surgeon will advise when you can start to drive again. You should also check with your car insurance company. Pain relief Continue to take the painkillers given to you on discharge. Returning to work You will normally need six weeks off work depending on how well you recover from your surgery. Depending on what job you do, you may require longer, e.g. if you carry out heavy physical work. 6
Contact If you have any problems or questions, please contact the day unit on 0141 951 5301 during Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Out of hours you should contact the Senior Nurse via the switchboard on 0141 951 5000. Notes 7
(: 0141 951 5513 Please call the above number if you require this publication in an alternative format Golden Jubilee National Hospital Charity Number: SC045146 PS07