Liposuction in Details!
Liposuction may be exactly what you need, if you’ve recently lost a lot of weight but just can’t seem to get rid of stubborn fat deposits in various places. In the United States, liposuction is now the most-performed cosmetic surgery procedure. Although it is so popular, many misconceptions exist about how liposuction works, what it can do for you, and – perhaps even more important – what it cannot accomplish.
Liposuction is definitely not a treatment for obesity, nor is it the lazy person’s alternative to diet and exercise. It is not effective in getting rid of cellulite. It is a surgical procedure in which excess deposits of fat are removed from various areas of the body through very thin suction tubes, or cannulae, inserted directly into the body fat through tiny incisions. The cannula is attached by a hose to a very powerful vacuum; as the cannula moves around in the fat, breaking it up, the vacuum sucks it out of the body. Areas of the body that may benefit from liposuction are the cheeks, chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and knees. Sometimes several areas are subjected to liposuction in the same operation, for example, when a person wishes to reshape the entire lower body. Both men and women are turning to liposuction to help them sculpt and reshape their bodies into more pleasing proportions. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery tells us that in 2007, the number of men who had liposuction and other cosmetic procedures (such as Botox® injections) grew to more than a million treatments in the year, about 17 percent more than in 2006.
During the past decade, new techniques have been developed for liposuction, also called lipoplasty or suction lipectomy. While the traditional methods of liposuction required general anesthesia, had a significant rate of complications and blood loss, and needed a longer time for recuperation, these new techniques have made a big difference in the expected outcomes of the procedure. Now the most popular method is tumescent liposuction, in which large quantities of dilute local anesthetic are injected into the fat areas. The areas become firm and swollen, and the fat and fluid are vacuumed out much more easily. This procedure has the highest rate of complications and the greatest patient satisfaction documented in the medical literature. It is also considerably less expensive than traditional methods. Scars are tiny, and usually hidden within body creases, like the place where the thigh joins the hip. Minimal blood loss, long-lasting pain relief after surgery, and rapid recovery time are other benefits of tumescent liposuction. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) is the newest of the techniques, and is still undergoing modifications. First-generation and second-generation UAL had a number of risk factors, and were extremely expensive, partly because the equipment required was so costly. Third-generation UAL is only available in approximately 200 US sites now. Significant risk improvements have been noted with this method, but it is still very expensive.
Who is the best candidate for liposuction? The procedure presents certain risks for people with existing conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, circulatory problems, or who have recently had surgery near the area to be re-sculptured. The ideal candidate should be physically and psychologically healthy, and should have realistic expectations of the procedure. With an older patient, results may not be as impressive as for younger ones, because skin loses its elasticity with age. It is important that the patient be within 20-30% of normal body weight. Ideally, the person will have been making successful efforts to lose weight through diet and exercise, and will have lost a significant amount. For areas like the hips and thighs, for example, where unsightly pockets of fat remain that are resistant to exercise and diet, liposuction may be considered.
The most important decision you will make about liposuction is the choice of your surgeon. Make sure you select someone who is board certified to perform cosmetic or plastic surgery, and specifically liposuction. You may find doctors whose fees are lower, but this is an area where the old adage “you get what you pay for” is important to bear in mind. If your goal is to sculpt your body by removing unwanted layers of fat, and if you fulfill the requirements for a surgical candidate, then liposuction may be just what you want. Find your best surgeon, enquire about all the details, and get ready to live in a new body!
