Liposuction Procedure Overview
Today for many people, fighting the battle of the bulge has become an epic battle. While exercise and a good diet can often be helpful, in some cases there are stubborn fat cells that won’t budge. Liposuction provides an option to get rid of bulges of fat in certain areas of the body to improve the shape of the body. Some of the most common areas treated by liposuction include the abdomen, buttocks, face, thighs, and hips. However, this procedure is only able to remove fat, not cellulite.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
Before you decide to go with liposuction, there are certain things to consider. Good candidates for this type of procedure are those who have skin that is elastic and firm, those who are average or only a bit above their average weight, people in good health, and those who have small pockets of fat they can’t lose with exercise and dieting. Those who have bad skin quality, older patients, and those who are unhealthy are not really great candidates for cosmetic surgery procedures.
How The Procedure is Done
In many cases, liposuction is an outpatient procedure. It is often done in a surgery center or in a doctor’s office. However, if there is a large amount of fat that needs to be removed, the procedure will have to be done in the hospital and you may have to stay overnight.
An anesthetic is given to you before the actual procedure starts. The anesthesia given will vary depending on the type of liposuction you are having and the amount of fat that is to be removed. In some cases you may only need local anesthetic, while other surgeries will require you to be put all the way out.
Once the anesthesia has been administered, then the procedure is done with a special suctioning device that is attached to a cannula, which is a small instrument made out of stainless steel. The cannula is inserted through very small incisions into the fatty areas that are between the muscle and skin. It uses either a syringe or a suction pump to remove the fat. Once the procedure is done, it will result in body contours that are smooth. Depending upon the amount of fat that needs to be removed, the length that the procedure will last can vary.
Recovery Time
In most cases, if you have liposuction as a procedure that is outpatient, you will recover quickly. Usually it is possible to go back to work within a few days, and within two weeks you can go back to your normal activities. There can be swelling, soreness, and bruising in the area that lasts several weeks. Of course, each person’s recovery time is going to vary based upon the area it is done on and the amount of fat that is removed.
The Risks
There are some risks to be aware of when you have a liposuction procedure done. Some of the risks can include skin discoloration as well as infection. However, while there are risks, this procedure has a great safety record, and as long as you use a plastic surgeon that is trained and certified, the risks are minimal.
Liposuction Procedure Video:
This is an Abdominal Liposuction surgery performed by Dr. Art Foley. Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms and neck.
Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don’t respond to traditional weight loss methods.
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