Liposuction is a surgery involving the use of a suction technique to reduce fat from certain parts of the body, such as the thighs, hips, abdomen, buttocks, neck or arms. Also known as lipoplasty or body contouring, the procedure can also shape or contour those parts.
Liposuction is not exactly a procedure for weight loss. Overweight people should lose excess weight through diet and exercises or through bariatric surgery (such as a gastric bypass operation) rather than with liposuction. An ideal candidate for liposuction would be someone with excessive body fat in certain places but with consistent body weight.
Liposuction is performed to reduce fatty deposits in parts of the body that have not changed despite dieting and exercise. Also, the procedure can be applied for breast reduction and gynecomastia treatment.
Weight gain causes fat cells to increase in size and volume. Liposuction decreases the number of fat cells in a particular body part. The amount of fat removed depends on the size of fat and the appearance of the area. The contour changes caused by the procedure are usually permanent, as long as body weight remains stable.
After liposuction, the skin will adjust itself to the new contours of the site. The skin will appear smooth if it has good tone and elasticity. Poor skin tone and elasticity may cause the skin around the treat parts to look loose.
A liposuction candidate must be healthy without ailments that may affect the surgery, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes or a weak immune system.
Ahead of the procedure, the initial appointment will be about the patient’s expectation of the surgery and a comprehensive health review. The doctor will want to know about the patient’s medical condition and any med or supplement they are using.
The surgeon will advise the patient to quit certain meds, such as blood thinners or anti-inflammatory drugs, as they tend to cause excessive bleeding during surgery. The patient will also need to make arrangement for transportation back home and supervision in the first night following the surgery.
Before making incisions, the surgeon will mark lines and circles on the affected parts. They may take pictures to compare the before and after images. There are different techniques, so the surgeon will choose the proper method based on the patient’s desired outcome, part of the body and if there is a history of liposuction.
Tumescent liposuction is the most common method. The surgeon will inject a sterile solution — a mix of salt water (which helps with fat extraction), lidocaine (an anesthetic for pain relief), and epinephrine (a drug that constricts the blood vessels) — into the site of treatment. The mixture will make the site swell and harden.
The doctor will proceed to make small incisions into the skin and insert a thin tube (cannula) under the skin. The tube is fixed to a vacuum that draws fat and fluids from the body. The lost body fluids may be replaced via an intravenous line.
Other liposuction techniques include ultrasound-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction and power-assisted liposuction.
The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment area. The procedure may last for several hours, depending on the amount of fat to be removed.
After liposuction, any bruising or swelling typically heals within weeks. The results of the procedure are permanent (with consistent weight) and usually gives the patient a more attractive appearance.
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