Popular Surgical Procedure – Liposuction
Posted on 26. Mar, 2009 by Melissa in Surgical Procedures
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery technique used to remove fat from parts of the body. Typically, liposuction is used to reshape the body by taking the fat out from areas of the body that collect fat, such as the thighs or the underarm. Often liposuction is performed on areas of the body where diet and exercise cannot provide the wanted reshaping results. Other common areas for liposuction are cheeks, jowls, and buttocks. Liposuction is a very popular surgery technique as it is an extremely effective cosmetic surgery. Scarring is minimal and not easy to see, as the incisions used in the surgery are small.
Who Can Get Liposuction?
Typically, good liposuction candidates will be healthy individuals of normal weight. They will have fatty areas on their bodies they cannot transform through diet or exercise and the liposuction will be of value to them. Liposuction is not as effective on older patients, who tend to have looser or less elastic skin. If the skin is not elastic, it is difficult get optimal results from liposuction surgery.
How Does Liposuction Work?
Liposuction is a surgery and requires anesthesia. The type of anesthesia depends on the amount of liposuction being performed and on what area of the body. Your doctor will determine the best anesthesia option.
There are a few different types of liposuction, but in the traditional liposuction surgery, a small incision is made in the marked area determined beforehand. A long, thin tube called a cannula is inserted through the incision. This tube becomes the mouth of the vacuum action, removing the fat. The cannula is moved back and forth over the fat layers, breaking up the fat and then removing it. The cannula tends to be slim so as not to damage the tissue surrounding the fat during the surgery. In power-assisted liposuction, a motorized cannula is used. Ultra-sound assisted liposuction is available, as well as laser-assisted liposuction. Consult your doctor to find the best liposuction technique available to meet your needs.
What to Expect After Liposuction Surgery
As with any surgery, there is a recovery period after undergoing liposuction. Expect the area that has been suctioned to be sore and swollen for a few days. The area will usually be bandaged, but sometimes drains are inserted into the incisions in order to remove excess fluids. It is important after surgery to move around and within a few days, return to a fairly regular level of activity. Results of the surgery may be noticeable almost immediately, but it may take up to six months to see the results of liposuction surgery. The effects of the surgery will be permanent.
Risks of Liposuction
There are risks to any surgery, so many of the risks associated with liposuction are common risks, such as blot clots, infection, and shock. Other risks are associated with the liposuction surgery such as tearing the tissue, unevenness in the area where the surgery took place, and burns are possible during the laser-assisted liposuction. Consult with your doctor thoroughly before surgery to make sure you understand the risks and the benefits of liposuction surgery.
