Contour & Enhance! – Body Contoured Liposuction & Fat Grafting Experience at ACME!

Process

It was my first meeting with Dr. Ching. I thought he looked very solemn from the photo from the website but in actual fact, he was approachable and had a smile on his face all the time. He would be the one who would be doing the body contoured liposuction for me. You must be wondering why I did liposuction since I was not even fat. On the next day after the surgery, I managed to get hold of Dr. Ching who answered this precise reason on why I took this plunge which I would be sharing at this end of this blog.

Dr. Ching took a look at my tummy and suggested a subtle muscular look to look more feminine. He proposed to remove the fats from my upper abdomen, lower abdomen, sides of waist, creating the abdomen cut by removing selective fats to create the look. Also he emphasized the importance of working out and eating right from month 3 onwards for best results. He estimated that the amount of fats removed would be about 1000cc.

Dr. Ching patiently showed me past examples of what he did for many of his patients and what I would be expecting.

How is the procedure done?

Three key points of liposuction process which was carried out on me:

1. Tumescent injection and wait for 15-30 minutes

The word “tumescent” means swollen and firm. By injecting a large volume of very dilute lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) into subcutaneous fat, the targeted tissue becomes swollen and firm, or tumescent. The tumescent liposuction technique is a method that provides local anesthesia to large volumes of subcutaneous fat and thus permits liposuction totally by local anesthesia. The tumescent liposuction technique eliminates both the need for general anesthesia and need for IV narcotics and sedatives. The tumescent technique for liposuction 1) provides local anesthesia, 2) constricts capillaries and prevents surgical blood loss 3) provides fluid to the body by subcutaneous injection so that no IV fluids are needed.

Source: https://www.liposuction.com/tumescent-technique-html

2. UAL(Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction) to areas that need contour

The Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL), you are injected with tumescent fluid. This mix is saline solution (water and salt) with a local anesthetic and epinephrine. This will help you to avoid extra fluid loss during fat extraction. Next, the ultrasonic waves are initiated, depending on whether you are receiving external UAL or internal UAL, and a high-pitched sound begins to liquefy the fat inside the specific body part until it loosens up enough to be sucked out of the body. This can either be done via a machine emitting the sound-waves into your fat tissue from outside the body (external UAL,) or via the cannula offering ultrasonic waves loosening fat within the body (internal UAL.)

The Tools used for Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)  

In this type of liposculpting, a small hollow tube made out of stainless steel (cannula) is booked up to a machine that offers a strong vacuum once inserted. The fat gets extracted through the cannula from the small incisions made in the skin. By sucking the fat out of the fatty tissue/layers, a thinner fat layer remains after surgery. Rapid recovery is the goal since tumescent liposuction uses the smallest of cannulas. Anesthesia will numb the area and constrict your blood vessels so there is less bruising and bleeding, allowing for recovery to be speedier and more enjoyable. The vibrating tip of the cannula acts as a probe and is placed (in internal UAL) under the skin to extract fat and alters the skin’s collagen, causing skin tightening. The ultrasound probe does require larger insertion points than the cannula in other types of liposuction, which maybe a deterrent for certain patients. “

Source: http://www.liposite.com/liposuction/ultrasonic-assisted-liposuction.aspx

3. PAL(Power-assisted Liposuction) to remove fats from body

Fat cells are manipulated by using a thin cannula to suction fat while the power is supplied by an electric motor or air which is compressed. This produces a rapid in-and-out movement or a spinning rotation of the cannula.

Source: http://www.liposite.com/liposuction/index.aspx

Body Contoured Liposuction using Double wave method has the following advantages:

• The wound is small and hidden in a place that is not easy to see
• The use of skilled technology can significantly shorten the operation time
• Reduce postoperative swelling of the bruises or waves of the situation
• Postoperative recovery is relatively short
• Only for fat, reduce tissue damage
• Micro-heat can be conducive to postoperative skin compact
• Extraction of high active fat more backfill
• Easy to remove the fibrous tissue and more parts
• Secondary liposuction, a good choice for man and women

After consultation, I was led to a private room where I changed into the surgery gown and disposable panties. I then proceeded to the operating theatre where I was put under local anesthesia. Dr Ching drew some indicative markings on my tummy for the liposuction and Dr Yu drew on my right breast to show the exact place of fats placement after removal from my tummy.

Final artwork!

This was the machine used to suck out the facts from my tummy.

Dr. Ching looking very serious as the liposuction took place! Body Contoured Liposuction required much more expertise and shaping of the tummy was required, thus getting the right doctor to perform this IS critical.

This is how part of the fats of about 1100cc looked like, a mixture of fats and blood and thus looked a bit pinkish.

I slept for about 3 hours after the surgery in the recuperation room. After which, I was very much alert and even went for a steamboat session in the chilled weather.

This was how my tummy looked after the liposuction. Very much full of bruises and skin felt pain with soreness. There were a total of 3 stitches one near the left and right hip bone area and one at the belly button area.

There were two unstitched holes (also known as Adits in medical terms) near the bikini area which are not symmetrically apart.  It was bleeding profusely on the left bottom bikini wound and required to change dressing every few hours.

“Adits are small holes in the skin made with round, skin-biopsy punches. Adits are used as access sites, in which the liposuction cannula is passed in and out of during the liposuction process. Adits also facilitate the drainage of blood-tinged anesthetic solution after liposuction. Because of the skin’s ability to stretch, microcannulas can usually fit through a 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, or 2 mm round hole made in the skin with a skin biopsy punch. Such tiny holes usually disappear without scars after liposuction. Adits are so small that it is not necessary to close them with sutures. Because adits are not closed with sutures, they promote copious postoperative drainage of blood-tinged tumescent anesthesia, which in turn reduces post-operative bruising, tenderness and swelling. Larger cannulas require larger incisions. When larger incisions are closed with sutures, there is delayed drainage, and prolonged swelling, bruising and pain after liposuction.”

Source: https://www.liposuction.com/tumescent-technique-html

Compression wear and pants stained with blood. Pain area concentrated on below belly button central tummy area. Looked swollen and uneven bulges with bruises. I was walking slowly. I would advise to lie on bed to rest without exerting too much. Pain when getting up from bed or seat. Need to sleep facing upwards.

I brought along my own compression wear.

Medication from antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, painkillers were given.

Next Day of surgery and I had cravings for beef noodles!

Day 1 (Next Day Review at the Clinic):
This was how my tummy looked after I removed my compression wear to change the dressing at the clinic. The nurses were very kind to show me the recovery room where I undressed, removed dressing, bathed, showed me the wash/dry the stained clothes and served hot drink with snacks before I was placed on drip as I did not dare to bath since the surgery yesterday as the wound was bleeding badly and still wearing the stained clothings.

The left bikini wound was still bleeding. Some bruises seemed to subside a little. Still in pain when getting up from bed or seat though it was manageable. I need to sleep facing upwards.

Day 3:
Bleeding reduced. Dressing changed twice a day.  Left side of bikini wound looked less swollen. Manageable pain when getting up from seat or bed.

Day 7:
Bruises start to subside and turned yellow. Tummy still aching when strength exerted. Last day of medication given and would attempt to stop taking painkillers from Day 8 onwards.

Interview with Dr. Ching Part 1

Interview with Dr. Ching Part 2

Month 1:

Month 2:

Month 3:

Month 4:

MORE UPDATES COMING UP…

Breast fat grafting (Dr. Yu)

My trusted Dr. Yu who was the one who did my earlier breast augmentation and nipple correction surgery way back in June 2016 would be the one who helped me with my fat graft.

More about my experience with the breast surgery:

http://msbabelovebebes.blogspot.com/2016/06/acme-sculpture-taipei-breast-augmentation-Part1.html
http://msbabelovebebes.blogspot.com/2016/07/acme-sculpture-taipei-breast-augmentation-Part2.html
http://msbabelovebebes.blogspot.sg/2016/08/acme-sculpture-taipei-breast-augmentation-Part3.html
Breast recovery photoshoot during breast cancer month:
http://msbabelovebebes.blogspot.sg/2016/10/breast-cancer-awareness-october-2016.html

He used my tummy fats removed by Dr. Ching to do fat grafting on my right breast to balance up with the left. 

Fat grafting is commonly done for a softer touch to the breasts or balance the size. In some case, implants and fat grafting are done together. The fat injected into the breast area may be reabsorbed by the body over time and the breast may lose some volume. This is why Dr. Yu added about 175cc of fats for me. Based on his experience about 60% will remain after 3 months which will be the final size. The first month will lose 30-35%, 2nd and 3rd month will lose less than 5%. I feel that this procedure hits two birds with one stone: you will be able to balance your cup size while taking inches off your tummy. There were small openings from liposuction and injection procedures and this reduces the possibility of scarring. Only 2 small pinholes at the areola area.

The breast looked bruised for a whole 10 days subsiding from a brownish to a yellowish bruise. There was two holes at the areola area. For my case, there was not much pain level.

Some Information if you are thinking of doing liposuction or body contoured liposuction:
Preoperative preparation:
1. 8 hours before surgery fasting (including boiling water, drinks).
2. Pre-and postoperative two weeks to avoid irritating food (including tobacco, wine, coffee).
3. Have family history, medication history, chronic diseases and any diseases please inform in advance.
4. Complete the physician to designate the inspection.
5. Surgical parts of hair shaving.

Surgery Day:
1. Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
2. No makeup, do not wear wigs, valuables, jewelry and so on.

Postoperative attention
Wound care
1. Postoperative physicians will prescribe oral antibiotics, painkillers, swelling drugs.
2. After about 7-10 days can be used to clean the body to clean the way to keep the wound clean, dry, to avoid infection.
3. After surgery may have placed drainage tube, so surgical wounds try not to touch the water until the drainage tube removal.
4. Avoid the wound by the sun, until the wound completely healed.
5. Body sculpting loosened, can return to normal activities, but still need to avoid strenuous activities, so as not to affect the wound healing, such as: weightlifting, lifting weights.

Postoperative maintenance
1. If you have surgery on your knees, thighs, buttocks, or abdomen, be sure to wear bodyclothes, pants (which can provide you with physical support and comfort), twenty weeks before the first 2-3 weeks, , At night to remove (depending on the swelling of the situation, in the consultation by the doctor to judge), at least for more than 2 months. Neck at least 3-5 days to maintain twenty-four hours, the best to 2 weeks.

2. After surgery, in order to shorten the postoperative recovery period, may be placed in a small drainage tube. Drainage tube will be discharged into the injection of anesthetic liquid, emulsified fat and bloody water, please follow the instructions of the nursing staff, regularly replace the absorbent thick cotton pad.

3. Effective massage is conducive to the operation of the recovery process, 1-2 weeks after the proposed massage with massage (depending on the swelling of the situation, in the consultation by the doctor to judge), can reduce postoperative swelling discomfort, in order to facilitate the recovery process.

Home care
1. Do not drive at least two days after general anesthesia or intravenous general anesthesia.
2. After a month to avoid irritating food. (Tobacco, wine, coffee)
※ alcohol will expand the blood vessels, may increase postoperative bleeding, and alcohol may cause postoperative pain medication failure.
※ nicotine will lead to vascular contraction, resulting in poor wound healing.
3. If you have nausea after surgery, eat soda cake to stabilize your stomach. If your stomach feels normal, you can slowly start eating liquid and light food, and finally restore the general diet.
4. Regular return visit and with the measurement size.
5. Tissue repair healing may have a sense of itching, pat lightly on the wound to reduce discomfort.
※ During the recovery period, the operation site may be itching, tight feeling, bruises, pain, hardening and tingling feeling, is part of the recovery process, about 1 week began to subside, need to be patient

I would be organising another trip this AUG so if you are keen, please feel free to contact me at celestiafaithchong@gmail.com.

Acme Sculpture Clinic
Tel: +886-2-2522-2899
Email: a0800358358@gmail.com
Online Reservation: http://www.acme-clinic.com/reserve.php
Open：Mon.~Fri. 12pm~9pm, Sat. 11am~8pm
Add: 5F., No.96, NanJing E. Rd., Sec. 2, Taipei, Taiwan
(MRT SongJiang NanJing Station, Exit 1, walking by 1 minute)