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Is Lipectomy the Same As Liposuction?

The surgeon that I saw recommended Blepharoplasty, Liposuction to the inside corners and a Brow lift to correct excess eyelid skin.

Clarifying the Liposuction part, his surgery explanation says Lipectomy in addition to Blepharoplasty. Is that the same as Liposuction?

Asked 31 months ago by mom1234 in ohio
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+2

Lipectomy and Liposuction

Dear Mom1234, The use of Latin and Greek among physicians for over 2,000 years served several purposes. It allowed more precise communications across multiple cultures and languages. A good thing. It allowed physicians to have their own "speak" and jargon which separated them from their patients. (If you think this is bad, listen to your teenager, or worse yet to computer/IT babble ...) Once you master a few Greek words - It literally STOPS "being Greek"... - tomy - cutting - more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

"ectomy" means direct removal usually by excision

Some patients undergoing peri-orbital rejuvenation may benefit from judicious removal of prominent orbital fat. This is not done with liposuction, but with direct surgical removal thru the incision. Over time surgeons have learned to appreciate the role of volume around the eyes and remove much less fat than in years past. You should make another appointment with your surgeon and review your photos with her/him and clarify what the plan is.
John E. Gross, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy vs liposuction

A lipectomy is technically only a fat removal. Liposuction involves using a cannula to remove fat from the area of fatty deposits. Liposuction is not used around the eyelids. There is a very small amount of precise removal of fat in the lower lids and upper lids to effect a cosmetic and aesthetic change. Lipectomy is typically performed with instruments and is simply a removal of fat.
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Eyelid surgery is usually fat removal or lipectomy

In a standard blepharoplasty fat may be removed from the upper or lower lids.  This is excision or lipectomy.  Suctioning fat is not performed as it is unsafe and difficult to judge the amount of removal.
Richard Gentile, MD
Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy and Liposuction are different

Liposuction involves a cannula with negative pressure that is passed repeatedly through a little incision (like you've seen on tv shows). They will not be doing that to the inner corner of your eye. Lipectomy is removal of fat. There is probably some extra puffyness on the inner corner of your eye and he will remove it just after your plastic surgeon removes the extra skin. It's good that you're asking about this prior to surgery. They'll no doubt be relevant when you're evaluating your... more
Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not the same

Lipectomy refers to the removal of fat by surgical excision or cutting it out.  Liposuction refers to the infiltration of tumescent solution (saline with local anesthetic and epinephrine) then removal of the fat with cannulas.  This is not done in the eye-this would be lipectomy.
Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy and Liposuction

Lipectomy means removal of fat. When combined with skin excision, it becomes a dermolipectomy. Depending on the region of the body, this can be a tummy tuck, thigh lift, brachioplasty, etc. Liposuction is also called suction assisted lipectomy, meaning removal of fat with a suction cannula. Liposuction is not performed on the eyelids. If the lipectomy on your consent refers to the eyelids, it is referencing the fat comparments within the eyelids, which are directly excised. ... more
Sam Jejurikar, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy vs liposuction

Lipectomy refers to excision of fat and skin usually performed for excess skin and fat. Whereas liposuction refers to a minimally invasive way of removing subcutaneous fat. 
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy and Liposuction are not the same

Lipectomy and Liposuction are not the same. Lipectomy just means removal of fat. Liposuction is sometimes called suction lipectomy meaning, removal of fat via suction. When you are having a belpharoplasty, it is very unlikely and dangerous if the plan is to remove fat via suction around the eyes. Please make sure you clarify this prior to your surgery.
David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

No.

Hi! No one does liposuction (removing fat with a little tube connected to suction) around the eyes. This must have been a misunderstanding. The important point for you is that "lipectomy" (removing fat with a pair of scissors, for example) has to be done very, very conservatively in the eyelids. It is best to reposition the fat in the "bags" inward rather than removing it. Removing fat from the eyelids can make you look hollow, which is not youthful....
George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Would NOT do Liposuction to eyelids.

Although Liposuction does do a Lipectomy (removal of fat), I can think of almost no reason to do Liposuction in the eye area, since this markedly increases the risks of the procedure. There is also very little reason to do much Lipectomy in the eye area either. Today the trend is to preserve the fat unless it is present congenitally in a significant excess. What we try to do now is take the fat and use it to pad the orbital bone to disguise the bone, fill the trough that forms just below... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction and Lipectomy not usually associated with forehead and eyelids

Dear Mom1234 This is now your second inquiry to this site regarding this issue that I am aware of. Liposuction and lipectomy are not terms that are usually associated with forehead and eyelid surgery. I am concerned that your doctor does not really know what they are doing. Why are you so attached to this doctor? Obviously you have some concerns regarding what is being proposed or you would not be posting at this site. I strongly urge you to get so other opinions. Remember, the best way to... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Lipectomy with Blepharoplasty

Lipectomy is not same as liposuction.In Blepharoplasty if you do liposuction you can cause severe bleeding inside the eyelid area and negative consequences.Lipectomy is more controlled excision of fat with cauterization of the blood vessels to avoid any bleeding.Regards
Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is lipectomy but not all lipectomy is liposuction

In medical terminology, "-ectomy" means removal and of course"lipo" means fat. Crudely stated, liposuction (also called suction lipectomy) is designed to reduce localized fat by vacuuming it out using an instrument called a cannula; the term "lipectomy" more commonly refers to cutting it out. This is more common around the eyes where the fat compartment is tiny.
Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon
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