Plastic Surgery: Liposuction

What is Liposuction?
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 sucks the fat out.
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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 to lose fat from the tummy, but leave the breasts 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, buttocks, breasts, waist, upper arms, and neck.
What it takes?
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 patients' pain tolerance and the amount of fat to extract.

The time 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 have reduced 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 physician'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 results are a leaner body. You lose weight instantly only in the selected areas. When we lose weight sometimes we lose it in areas we do not want to, such as the breasts, and the most difficult fat to go away is in the areas we want to lose, such as the tummy. With liposuction or lipoplasty you will only lose it where you 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. It may improve it but it will not make it go away.

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