Liposuction / Liposculpture
Liposculpture, more commonly referred to as liposuction, is a procedure performed in order to remove unwanted or excess fat from the body. It is common for fat to be disproportionately placed, a tendency that is typically genetic. The accumulation of fat is most common in the lower part of the body with the hips being the main culprit. However, liposculpture can be performed in many different areas including the arms, neck, abdomen, thighs, and the inner side of the knees. This procedure can also be performed to remove fat deposits caused by hormone imbalances such as is the case with gynecomastia, which is the unwanted enlargement of male breasts that typically occurs due to decreased levels of testosterone or an increase in estrogen.
In order to reduce bruising, swelling, and bleeding during and after the procedure, local anaesthetic and adrenaline are typically injected into the fatty area before the liposuction procedure is performed. It has also been shown that the fluid is able to reduce the severity of post-operative pain. Patients should keep in mind that smoking inhibits rapid healing because of its ability to decrease the body’s circulation so it should be avoided both before and after the procedure.
How is the Procedure Performed?
During the liposuction procedure, the fat is removed with a device called a cannula. The cannula consists of a small tube which is attached to a vacuum. It is through this device that the fat can be suctioned and removed. Fortunately, for recuperation purposes, the necessary incisions are typically quite small. The vacuum removes the surplus fat and tissue from the area but does not damage the surrounding blood vessels and nerve networks. Although the vacuum is the typical instrument for liposuction, occasionally a small syringe is the only device required for small composites of fat. It is important that the surgeon is careful to remove the fat evenly so that the area will not appear lumpy once the surgery has healed. However, it is possible that a repeat procedure might be necessary if there are contour irregularities once the patient has recovered and the area has healed. If this proves necessary, the new operation is typically conducted six or more months after the initial surgery.
Also, as is the case with any procedure, the area takes time to heal and will not look as desired directly following the surgery. However, as time passes and the wound is allowed to heal, the area will begin to take on the desired shape. As with any procedure, liposculpture is not without its possible side effects. One of the most common occurrences is bruising which can be quite painful. This side effect can be somewhat mitigated by the avoidance of aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs for at least two weeks before the procedure as these can lead to continued and excessive bleeding. The duration and size of the bruising is largely dependant on the extent of the surgery with obviously a more widespread area of liposuction being more likely to cause greater bruising. The deep purple and red colour of the bruises will mostly likely last for about a month although the swelling may not fully diminish until six months after the surgery especially in areas such as the abdomen. It is because of this swelling that the full impact of the surgery will not be immediately obvious. This swelling is particularly apparent in the ankles. If liposuction is performed on the legs, then the ankles will most likely swell. If, however, it is the ankles themselves that were liposculptured, the ankles may remain swollen for several months.
Another common side effect is numbness in the area of the procedure which is caused by a stretching of the nerves. This can last for a period of up to several months but is temporary. Also, if the patient was anaemic before the procedure, it is likely that the surgeon will recommend the use of iron supplements after the procedure to compensate for any loss of blood that was sustained during the surgery.
The scars that typically result from the liposculpture procedure are quite small, less than one centimetres long. Directly following the surgery, they will most likely appear red and raised although this will cease shortly after the procedure. It is rare for this to be a continuing problem.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
Liposuction typically has long lasting effects as, in adults, fat cells are not known to regenerate. Despite this, patients are made aware of the fact that liposuction is not a form of obesity treatment. The surgeon is required to stay within a specific fat removal limit so, for patients that are obese, the desired amount of fat may not be able to be removed. It is, however, possible for repeat procedures to be conducted in order to remove more of the fat. One negative consequence of repeat liposuction operations is the fact that, if too much fat is removed from a certain area, the skin may prove to be inelastic and will not form around the new fat content. This will lead to loose skin in the area which would have to be excised with further operating. Also, patients should be aware that, although liposuction removes fat, it will not help with the appearance of cellulite.
While the majority of patients are completely satisfied with the results of liposuction, there are some items to keep in mind. When an extensive liposculpture procedure is conducted over a specific area, particularly in the abdominal area, it is common for contour irregularities and unevenness to become apparent after the wound heals. Because of this, a patient may require an additional operation to improve the appearance of the area. This can usually be performed much more quickly than the original procedure and is typically done under a local as opposed to a general anaesthetic as the corrections are typically quite minor. It is impossible for the surgeon to be able to tell at the time of the operation what the area will look like after it is fully healed. Therefore, any additional requested procedure would entail an added cost although this cost is typically significantly less than the cost of the original operation.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
Contact Form
Patient Finance
