Patients dice with death in quest for perfection, reports Nichola Jones
Plastic surgery patients are putting their lives in danger through high-risk 'mega-liposuction' which can suck out up to 22kg of blubber and drain the body of blood.
Experts say some unscrupulous doctors in Dubai are agreeing to siphon off potentially lethal amounts of fat for desperate clients searching for a fast track to the perfect figure.
Dr Dawood Sulaiman, from International Aesthetic Medical Centre in Jumeirah, warns some clinics are prizing cash over safety by removing more than three times the recommended safety limit.
This can cause massive blood loss, organ failure, disfigurement and even death.
He said: "Many patients seeking consultation come with the impression all excess fat can be removed in a single go. Some give reference to clinics that are willing to remove around 15kg to 22kg of fat in a single sitting."
He added: "The judgment of the doctor to evaluate what is best suited for a patient is very important, and should by no means be clouded by monetary gains."
The average adult body contains between ten and 12 pints of blood, and 2.5kg of fat are equivalent to one pint.
Sulaiman said: "Therefore, 22kg of fat cells removed would mean around 8.8 pints of blood drained from the body. This would not only be dangerous but fatal."
Dubai beautician Elga Kassebaum said one of her clients spent up to dhs200,000 on drastic treatment and was left disfigured.
She said: "She had five lots of lipo-suction and they took too much. She had it from all over her body and was left in severe pain and very disproport-ioned. It's important people know the risks and go to a reputable surgeon."
The health warning has been echoed by cosmetic surgeon Dr Sanjay Parashar, of Cocoona Clinic, who says he has treated patients for the after-effects of 'mega liposuction'.
"It is very dangerous and can be fatal," he said.
"One of the problems is that they are left with large amounts of excess skin but it can be worse than that. It can be too much for the body to cope with."
Doctors say a gap of at least three months should be left between treatments and stress it is a catalyst for weight loss, not an antidote to obesity.
Parashar said: "Liposuction is not a cure for obesity. It is only successful if it is part of a healthy lifestyle, a good diet and exercise."
He added: "As a general rule, no more than five per cent of the body mass should be removed through lipo-suction.
Doctors taking more than that are putting patients at risk and we know this is still happening here."
But Kassebaum said clients also have a responsibility to make sure they are having surgery for the right reasons.
"Some clients want to have instant results and they do put pressure on the doctors... liposuction is not the answer to being overweight."
My surgery nightmare
"I had lipo about three years ago. I had it because I used to be very overweight, and then lost half of my body weight through diet and exercise.
Because I was overweight for such a long time I had very stubborn old fat cells on my lower abs. I used to swim every day, cycle and do about 500 sit-ups a night - but the belly still wouldn't go even though I was a UK size eight.
So I decided on lipo. It got rid of the belly but I was left with lumps and loss of feeling/sensation on my belly. Now the lumps are scar tissue and it will take another op to correct it.
All in all, I wouldn't have it again. I'd rather have the little belly than the flat yet lumpy belly I have now. I don't care what any surgeon says - it is painful, very painful afterwards.
If I had my time again I would opt for another method of surgery.
There are many other alternative options available nowadays. Traditional lipo is a bit old hat now and there are too many undesirable side eff-ects that can occur."
© 7Days 2010
