Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery where fat is removed from any number of areas of the body. The areas that can be treated include the midsection, thighs, butt, arms, and other places. Ideally, it is a last resort used to remove fat deposits that have not diminished through diet and exercise.
Liposuction can be used to remove excess fat, and also to shape areas of the body. But, it should not be used as a sole means of weight loss. In fact, the average amount of fat surgeons usually remove is usually less than 10 pounds.
Though the procedure can be dated back as far as the mid 1920’s and into the 1960’s, liposuction saw its modern interest spike in the early 1980’s. A French surgeon, Dr. Yves-Gerard Illouz, introduced a method of liposuction that used cannulas (the tubes that are used for extracting fluids out of the body) and high-powered suction. The results were generally favorable, and there were low death rates.
Over the past few decades, steady improvements in techniques have resulted in liposuction procedures with fewer risks involved, less bleeding, less pain, and more fat removal possible. Liposuction is currently the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States.
In order to be considered a good candidate for liposuction, most plastic surgeons require that a patient be:
Over the age of 18
In good physical health
Have tried previously to lose the excess fat through proper diet and exercise
Heart conditions, problems with circulation, and diabetes will likely eliminate a person from candidacy for the surgery.
How Liposuction is done
The traditional technique of liposuction was performed by inserting a cannula, or tube, into an incision under the skin. The cannula has a vacuum appliance attached to it. The plastic surgeon proceeds to push and pull the cannula through the fat layers under the skin, breaking down the fat cells and extracting them.
More often now, surgeons inject a small amount of liquid into the area before they insert the cannula. This liquid contains an anesthetic, epinephrine (to reduce bleeding), and a saline solution (to make the fat more like our body fluids). This loosens the fat and also minimizes bruising and other complications.
Some surgeons use a technique known as tumescent (or swollen) liposuction, which is similar to the basic procedure mentioned above, except that a larger amount of liquid is injected into the area. The larger amount of liquid gives the surgeon more room to remove the fat, further reducing bruising.
Side effects and potential risks of having Liposuction
As with any invasive surgical procedure, there are potential side effects and risks involved with liposuction. All of them might not occur with every patient, and recovery time varies, depending on health and heredity.
The side effects of liposuction include:
Bruising
Localized swelling
Minimal scarring
Pain
Numbness of the area
These side effects generally subside within a few weeks.
The risks involved with liposuction include:
Allergic reaction to anesthesia
Infection
Damage to internal organs (punctures from the cannula)
Skin necrosis (death)
Fluid imbalance
Skin damage
Burns (due to friction of the cannula with the skin or nerves)
Liposuction is not a remedy for being overweight. It should only be considered when every step has been taken to lose excess fat through healthy diet and exercise. The decision to have liposuction is an important one, and all considerations for risks should be taken into account. The best person to consult is a reputable plastic surgeon, and to ask any and every question, and to express every concern. Liposuction can help you to get rid of those stubborn fat deposits, and help to reshape your figure. But it is important to know all the facts before you make the decision to have it done.
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