Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures in the World

(See Vaser Liposuction and SmartLipo)

Liposuction is one of the most popular procedures in the United States. Liposuction, or lipoplasty, was the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed in the United States, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Breast enlargement surgery was the most common cosmetic surgery procedure. For many people, it's a quick fix for problem areas and one of the easiest ways to get instant gratification.

What is Liposuction:

Simply put, liposuction removes excess fat from the body, improving contours and proportion.

Liposuction is truly designed to treat the areas that don't improve with diet and exercise. It's not for weight loss; it's not to remove large volume areas; it's not so you can go from a size 12 dress to a size 2.

In today's high-tech world, several technologies and techniques have emerged to assist in the liposuction process. Tumescent liposuction is the most commonly used liposuction technique in which two to three times the amount of liquid to the amount of fat is injected in the fat compartment to be suctioned. The fluid reduces blood loss and bruising and makes the process easier and more effective.

Other techniques involve adding laser or ultrasound energy to break down or liquefy fat, which can also help to improve suction and removal.

While liposuction is performed on many different parts of the body, it's not a weight-loss solution. It's for those of us who have areas of fat that just don't go away with exercise and healthy eating habits.

Four-step process:

The skinny on the procedure? Really, it can be broken down into a four-step process:

STEP 1. The consultation. When you're ready to move forward with a liposuction procedure, the first step is the consultation. This is the time when you find out firsthand what your specific liposuction surgery may entail, inducting preparation, recovery and results. The details will vary depending on body type and medical history.

STEP 2. Making the appointment. (This step is the easiest!)

STEP 3. Procedure time! Generally, the first thing a surgeon does is to inject a solution into the treatment area. The solution contains salt water and epinephrine, which shrinks blood vessels and helps to decrease the bleeding and bruising. It also generally contains a local anesthetic to minimize pain.

Fat removal is performed using a thin tube called a cannula that is attached to a vacuum device. Once the fluid has been injected, a small cut is made near the target area, the tube is inserted into the area of excess fat, the vacuum pump is attached and the fat is removed.

STEP 4. Recovery. Liposuction is an outpatient surgery and recovery is generally rapid. Most people can return to all normal activities within a few days.

Of course, the question on everyone's mind is Once liposuction has been performed, does the fat come back? The simple answer: No. The fat cells are removed permanently, so if you gain weight after the surgery it won't come back in that place. The procedure won't prevent weight from returning in other parts of the body, however.

Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty ("fat modeling"), liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo ("suction-assisted fat removal") is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes fat from many different areas on the body. Areas affected can range from the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, to the neck, backs of the arms and elsewhere.

Areas of the body where liposuction is performed

• Abdomen
• Hips
• Outer thighs (saddlebags)
• Flanks (love handles)
• Back
• Inner thighs
• Inner knees
• Upper arms
• Submental (chin)
• Gynecomastia (male breast tissue)

Liposuction

Suction lipectomy (lipectomy (especially for cosmetic purposes) in which excess fatty tissue is removed from under the skin by suction)

Liposuction

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed in the United States. Breast enlargement surgery was the most common cosmetic surgery procedure. Liposuction involves the surgical suctioning of fat deposits from specific parts of the body, the most common being the abdomen (the "tummy"), buttocks ("behind"), hips, thighs and knees, chin, upper arms, back, and calves.

lip·o·suc·tion