Liposuction: How it Works

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves removing excess body fat by using special surgical suction equipment. This is one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgeries and should only be performed by a licensed plastic surgeon. It is used to remove areas of unwanted excess fat to improve the overall appearance of the body.

It can be used to correct abnormal body shapes or non-proportional distributions of fat. It can be used on several different areas on the body including the arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, ankles, neck, chin and face. It can be a great procedure to boost self confidence, but expectations must also be reasonable.

A consultation with a plastic surgeon will help you to make your decision about fat removal surgery. He or she will be able to better help you understand the procedure, the recovery and whether or not the procedure is right for you.

Your surgeon will ask you questions to make sure you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure and to avoid any foreseeable complications. Your surgeon will also want to know if you suffer from certain health conditions that should be controlled before undergoing liposuction, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies and substance abuse.

Several different liposuction procedures are used today.
Tumescent liposuction (fluid injection) is the most commonly used fat removal procedure today. This procedure involves injection a portion of medicated solution into the areas to be treated. The solution is a mix of anesthetic, epinephrine (to contract the blood vessels and reduce bleeding), and saline solution. After this solution has been adequately injected into the treatment area, a metal wand, called a cannula, is inserted into small incisions and is used to suction out the fat.

Another technique is the super-wet technique. It is very similar to tumescent liposuction but it is usually done under general anesthesia. Less solution is also injected into the area.

A new form of liposuction, Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), uses ultrasonic vibrations to liquefy fat cells. The liquefied fat cells are then suctioned out. This form of liposuction is most helpful in areas that are dense such as the upper back or male chest.

Certain precautions and post-operative care will have to be followed. Bandages are applied to the area to help stop bleeding and to maintain the shape of the area. These bandages are usually left on for at least two weeks and are sometimes worn with a tight form-fitting garment to help guide healing.

If sutures are used, they will be removed after about a week and check-up visits with the surgeon are often recommended. Most people are able to return to work after 3-4 days and can function normally with minimal discomfort.

Results will rarely be noticeable immediately due to swelling and bruising and won't be fully seen for a couple of months. Some individuals will also gain weight after a liposuction procedure due to the fluid injected into the body. This will resolve as the body heals.

Liposuction is most successful when a person is close to their ideal body weight, but just a little overweight. In cases of individuals who have lost massive amounts of weight or who are very overweight, liposuction procedures can make conditions worse.

Liposuction should never be used as a substitute for diet and exercise or to lose weight. It will also not treat cellulite and shouldn't be used on certain parts of the body.

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