Basics of liposuction

Liposuction plastic surgery procedure (part I)
Basic questions answered

Like many of us, Stacy has put on weight in all those parts where she does not like it. She has also reached a point that no amount of dieting or exercising is working. Some of the fat simply does not go away. Tom, her husband, asks, “I am so terrified of plastic surgery but should Stacy consider a liposuction procedure. Are the risks as serious as I think? Will she be all right? Am I just worrying unnecessarily?”

Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the USA. It is the only proven effective treatment capable of removing fat from localized deposits. Liposuction uses suction to remove fat deposits in specific areas. The suction is provided by a vacuum-like device or sometimes by a large syringe called cannula. The suction device is inserted through a small incision in the body, and the surgeon takes the fat out.

We are used to infomercials advertising how a machine can eliminate the tummy only or reduce the fat in the legs. This is not possible by exercise or diet or pills. We simply cannot at this time lose fat selectively, for example, from the tummy, but leave all other parts untouched. This happens because when we lose fat, our genes determine which fat goes away first. However, selective fat loss is possible with liposuction. Liposuction can remove fat from many different areas of the body, including the thighs, hips, abdomen, chest, waist, upper arms, and neck. (Related article: Lose weight by reading positive messages)

There are a few options when it comes to liposuction. The doctor determines which type is best for each patient. The surgery usually can be conducted under local, regional or general anesthesia. This depends on the type of liposuction technique used, the area to treat, the patient's pain tolerance and the amount of fat to extract.

The duration of the surgery depends on the area treated and the amount of fat removed. The cost is also related to this. The surgery can last from 1 to 5 hours depending on how many areas are being treated. The cost varies by location. It can go from $1,500 to $4,000 per area. If many areas are treated, most doctors will reduce prices.

It is a relatively simple surgery, but if a large amount of fat is being removed, it can be life threatening or present serious complications.

Liposuction usually does not require hospitalization and often is done in a plastic surgeon's office or in an outpatient surgery center. Even if liposuction takes place in a hospital, you probably will be able to go home the same day unless a large amount of fat is removed.

Right after the surgery the patients are normally bruised and have some swelling. In a few weeks, the swelling goes away. Visible scars are usually not a problem in liposuction.

What are the expected results?

The result is a leaner body. You lose weight instantly and only in the selected areas. When women lose weight, sometimes they lose it in areas that they do not want to, such as the chest, and the most difficult fat to go away is in the areas they want to lose, such as the tummy. With liposuction or lipoplasty they will lose it only where they want to.

Liposuction is not normally an alternative to weight loss if you are overweight. But it offers a way to a smoother, trimmer body for those with extra pockets of fat that won't go away with weight loss or exercise.

Liposuction is not a solution for cellulite either. It may improve it but it will not make it go away.

How long do the results last?

Liposuction removes fat cells in the treated areas from your body. If was believed that cells cannot regenerate, but recent studies have other findings. It is believed that you will not easily store fat in the same area again. If you gain weight, the fat will go to other areas of your body.

Most doctors believe that gaining a few pounds is OK, but gaining more than 30 percent of your body weight can affect your appearance in the areas treated.

Recent statistics have reveled that many people who undergo liposuction gain back the weight. This could be because they do not change their lifestyle. Liposuction is not a substitute for an active lifestyle and healthy eating habits.

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