What You Need to Know About Liposuction

What is it?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery done to remove the excess fat in specific areas of the body. It is a common and well known surgery which had been done throughout the world for decades.

This surgery can be done in both males and females. Liposuction removes excess fat over the thighs, buttocks, breasts, hips, upper arms and neck. Even though liposuction removes the excess fat in your body, it is not a weight loss. It is only helps you to get rid of your fat. Liposuction is an important procedure for the people who are dealing with fats resistant to diet and exercise.

Who is a candidate?

The right candidate for a liposuction surgery would be:

• A person having chunks of excess fat in the specific areas of the body who has attempted to lose this fat unsuccessfully through diet and exercise.

• Age above 18 years.

• Someone who is physically and psychologically stable.

• A person who has firm and elastic skin.

• Someone with realistic expectations.

What does the procedure entail?

This surgery is usually done under general anesthesia. But if the area is small, local anesthesia is used. The duration of the surgery depends on the complexity of the case and the whole procedure may take between 30 minutes to 3 or 4 hours.

Before the surgery, the fat area which needs to be removed is injected with a liquid which consists of normal saline and local anesthesia combined with a vasoconstrictor. This liquid provides the adequate conditions for the extraction of fat.

The surgeon makes a small incision which is about 0.1 inches long. He then inserts a small tube called a cannula to the desired area. This cannula is connected to a device that generates a high vacuum pressure or to a special syringe. The unwanted fat under your skin is removed from the cannula with suction. The number of incision will vary depending on the amount of fat which needs to be removed. Usually more than one incision is made.

Liposuction surgery is usually assisted by laser and ultrasound. Laser is inserted as a probe to heat and melt the excess fat in your body. Ultrasound assisted liposuction uses a special cannula which emits ultrasounds which is used to liquefy the fat without causing any damage to the surrounding tissues.

In or Out-Patient Procedure?

In most cases Liposuction is an out-patient procedure and you will go home the same day.  For more complex cases or when there are additional procedures being performed, you may be asked to stay the night for monitoring.

What results can I expect?

Regardless of your weight, age or sex, you will have good results. After a typical liposuction in the abdomen or waist, you will lose about 7 to 11 pounds of your body weight. The fat reduction can be seen on the day of the surgery itself- but optimal result after selling will be in about 6 months.

Recovery

As this is a simple procedure, you will be able to do normal activities in no time. However, soon after the surgery you will feel some pain and there will be swelling in the area of the surgery. Your will be advised to avoid any exercise or strenuous activities for the next two weeks after the surgery. The scars are  tiny and will be unnoticeable. You may also be asked to wear a compression garment to help with the elacticity of your skin.

What possible complications can I get?

This is a very superficial procedure as your surgeon will be removing the fat which is just under your skin and above the muscles. Therefore, this procedure includes very minimal complications and is very safe to follow. Liposuction has nothing to do with your reproductive system, and so it will not affect the chances of you getting pregnant in the future. In fact, liposuction is used as a treatment for subfertility in obese people.

Will the fat come back?

Fat collection in the same area is very difficult. There will be no abnormal fat collection in the area of surgery. However, it is important to maintain a good healthy lifestyle and maintain yourself for better and a long lasting result.

Cost

The cost for a liposuction procedure varies between surgeon and is usually tallied per area of your body.  Your fee will be made up of the following:

• The surgeon’s fee

• Cost for anesthesia

• Hospital facility with stay cost

• Medications