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1. Describe the lifecycle of the adipocyte. Do adipocytes enlarge or increase in number? Describe gynecoid and android fat patterns. Describe the anatomy of the superficial and deep fat layers. What is the Rachet effect? (PRS 1987; 80:248)
2. Describe the common complications of liposuction and their incidence. How many people have died from liposuction and why? (PRS 1993; 92:35)
3. What common solutions are injected preoperatively? How much? Why? Do they work? What is dry? Wet? Super wet? Tumescent? (PRS 1991; 88:801, PRS 1983; 92:1085, PRS 1997; 99:514)
4. What is the “safe” volume to remove during one liposuction sitting? How much of the aspirate is blood? How much IV fluid should the anesthesiologist be giving? (PRS 1993; 89:1068)
5. Discuss Mladick's "The Big Six." (Clinics in Plastic Surgery 1989; 60:249)
6. Describe the efficacy of liposuction in: gynecomastia, flap debulking, lymphedema, lipomas, breast reduction/reconstruction.
7. Describe the postoperative regimen for liposuction.
8. Tell us about fat embolus syndrome. Do people get this from liposuction?
9. Your patient wants her knees, ankles, and calves suctioned. What special techniques will you use? How much will you commonly get out? (PRS 1997; 99:1433, PRS 1996; 98:880)
10. Your cosmetic patient wants you to suction her abdomen and iject the fat into her breast, lips, glabellar lines, and nasolabial folds. Will this work?
11. Define the following terms: pretunneling, crossing technique, concept of liposuction as an internal burn.
12. What is cellulite? How can you get rid of it?
13. Discuss superficial liposuction. (Aes PS 1992; 16:141, Aes PS 1994; 18:253, Ann PS 1995; 34:268)
14. Should we use a pump or a syringe? (Aes PS 1993; 17:199, Aes PS 1991; 15:203)
15. Is ultrasonic liposuction better? What are the complications?
16. Does external ultrasonic liposuction work?
18. What are the best cannulas to use? Do you use different styles and sizes for different areas?
19. Your patient lost 150 lbs and wants her arms to look better. Review brachioplasty. How is it done and are patients happy?
20. Your patient lost 200 lbs and wants a medial thigh lift. How will you do it? What are common complications and how can these be prevented?
21. Can you safely combine an abdominoplasty with intra-op abdominal procedures such as gyn procedures? (PRS 1989; 83:997)
22. Your patient wants her derriere to look better. Should she have liposuction or a gluteal lift? How is each done?
23. Your patient wants an abdominoplasty and has: an old appy scar, an old Kocher gallbladder incision, a midline incision, diastasis recti, hernia, striae everywhere. What do you tell her?
24. Convince a patient to have a "mini-abdominoplasty." (PRS 1987; 79:31)
25. Discuss the various incisions used for abdominoplasty. Include a reverse abdominoplasty, a mid-abdominoplasty, vest over pants, fleur-de-lis.
26. What are the common complications of abdominoplasty?