Basic Facts About Liposuction

For many people, diet and exercise just aren't enough to lose weight or get the firm, trim body they desire. Year after year, they struggle with the frustration of problem areas of fat deposits that stubbornly remain. If this sounds familiar, have you considered weight loss surgery? Could liposuction be for you?

Today, liposuction is a viable alternative to help people shape their bodies, and even lead to permanent weight loss. Although the procedure has been practiced for many years, it has improved to the point that anyone who wishes to trim excess fat should consider asking a plastic surgeon about liposuction.

Stop dreaming about a better body! Let's review the risks, benefits and other facts about liposuction now.

Generally speaking, liposuction is a surgical procedure that involves use of a cannula (thin, metal medical device) to suction fat deposits in targeted areas of the body from the area between skin and muscle. When the cannula is inserted into the patient through incisions, a powerful suction device removes some of the fat, creating "tunnels" that eventually collapse during the healing process, resulting in a body with improved contours. The doctor conducting a liposuction procedure will repeatedly push and pull the cannula through the fat layer to assist in breaking up the tissue, which will then be suctioned out.

Liposuction has been used for cosmetic procedures since the 1960s, but burst onto the scene in the 1980s with the development of the vacuum-assisted cannula procedure by Dr. Illouz. Men and women alike are seeking liposuction today in order to reduce fatty deposits and improve their appearance.

1. Am I a proper candidate?

Traditional thinking is that liposuction works best for people that have achieved some weight loss first through diet and exercise. If you think that liposuction will be a miracle cure, you may not have realistic expectations. All potential patients will first undergo a consultation beforehand to review your individual needs and desires.

2. How much does liposuction cost?

Cost depends on the area being treated and the time it takes to complete the procedure. You should plan on anywhere from $2500-8,000 for each body part (hips, thighs, buttocks, stomach, etc.) Of course, a quality cosmetic surgeon may be more expensive than having liposuction procedure done at a small clinic. Do consider that you get what you pay for. If you go to a less expensive surgeon, you may have unsatisfactory or even painful results.

3. What is the recovery time after liposuction?

This depends on the type of liposuction and recovery techniques used. Tumescent liposuction (described below) has a shorter recovery time. If incisions are allowed to openly drain, instead of being stitched up, swelling will decrease more quickly too. Generally, expect swelling to be significantly reduced within a month. The risk of seromas (collection of serum in a body cavity) can be reducted by wearing prescribed compression garments post-op. Most people can return to work and even light exercise within a few days of liposuction.

4. Are the results permanent?

After liposuction, the removed fat cells are gone forever.  An improved body shape will continue to exist, as long as the patient keeps his or weight within about 10 pounds of the post-operation/recovery weight.  Liposuction cannot stop the natural body aging process, however.  All of these factors must be considered as part of a candidate's realistic expectation assessment.  Overall, more than 80% of the people that have undergone liposuction are very pleased with the results and many continue to keep the weight off for years.

5. What are the risks of liposuction?

As with any surgery, there are risks that you should be aware of. Some people may react to anesthesia, suffer a blood clot, infection or nerve damage. On occasion, internal organs may be punctured. The risk of death is rare, thankfully. Consider that more than 250,000 poeple in the United States will seek and/or undergo liposuction treatment this year alone.

6. Is Tumescent liposuction a superior alternative?

Many people would say yes! First, only local anesthesia is used. Second, there is minimal bleeding post-surgery. Third, recovery time is abbreviated. In short, tumescent liposuction involves the injection of large volumes of dilute lidocaine and epinephrine into fat deposits. No deaths have been reported using this technique.

Much more can be written about liposuction. In subsequent hubs, I'll go over various alternative techniques, like smart lipo, lipodissolve which is a type of mesotherapy), and slim lipo, provide information on where to find a qualified surgeon, and even review some before and after photos of celebrities that have undergone liposuction.

With these basic facts about liposuction, you can begin to evaluate whether to give yourself the gift of a firmer, more youthful-looking body.