Liposuction is a word we've all heard. Most of us know someone, or know someone who knows someone, who has had the procedure. Unfortunately, solid information about the benefits, risks, complications, and the procedures themselves is difficult to come by.
We carefully researched the various liposuction procedures so that you can get an overview of each procedure. This information is only that--information. This information is not a substitute for consulting with your physician, researching a prospective plastic surgeon carefully, and using plain old common sense.
Liposuction is the removal of stubborn pockets of fat from the body by using vacuuming or suction. Some procedures incorporate the use of liquid injections or ultrasound. Liposuction is ideally performed on people who are at their ideal weight and with tight skin to achieve the optimum results.
Areas of the body most commonly treated with liposuction are the outer thighs and stomach for women, and the "love handles" on men. Other areas of the body considered for treatment are the buttocks, abdomen, inner thighs, hips, knees, upper arms, cheeks, neck, and chin.
General guidelines for determining the successful treatment with liposuction include:
- Patient's age
- Pre-surgery weight (no more than 15-20 pounds over optimum weight)
- Patient's health
- Procedure selection
- Elasticity of the skin
- Realistic expectations for results
- Inability to lose the particular fat pocket with regular diet and exercise programs
Things to seriously consider when planning for liposuction include careful discussion of the consequences, short- and long-term prognoses for the procedure, and risks.
Additional points to consider when thinking about liposuction are risks posed by pre-existing health conditions. The following conditions can seriously increase complications involved with liposuction procedures:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Lung disease
- Seizure disorders
- Previous surgical complications
The risks of liposuction are similar to other laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) and plastic surgery procedures. Be sure to discuss these risks with your physician. The risks and complications resulting from liposuction increase with the amount of fat being removed and may include:
- Infection
- Blood clots (that can travel to the lungs)
- Fat clots (that can travel to the lungs)
- Shock from fluid loss
- Damage to the skin
- Damage to the nerves
- Allergic reaction to the medications or anesthesia
- Scarring
- Sagging skin
There are four main types of liposuction procedures. Your plastic surgeon will help you determine which procedure will be most effective for the amount of fat you need removed and the location of the fat removal.
Standard liposuction starts with a small incision made through the skin into which a cannula (tube) is inserted. The cannula is used to vacuum out the fat in the targeted area. The tube is pushed and pulled through the fat layer, and the fat is suctioned through the tube. Standard liposuction takes the least amount of time, but can result in more bruising and blood loss than other types. The time required for the procedure varies based upon the amount of fat being removed and how many areas are being targeted.
Fluid injection type of liposuction involves the injection of a liquid mixture beneath the skin into the fat layer. The liquid is made up of saline solution, an anesthetic, and epinephrine (to reduce blood loss) . The fat is broken down by the liquid and then suctioned from the body through a cannula (tube) inserted through a small incision in the skin. This procedure reduces blood loss and bruising. The addition of the anesthetic makes the procedure more tolerable and makes the removal of the fat easier.
Tumescent type of liposuction involves the injection of large amounts of fluid into the fat. The fluid contains an anesthetic to ease pain and allow more fat to be removed. This procedure takes longer than traditional liposuction.
Super-wet type of liposuction involves the injection of fluids in amounts equal to the fat being removed. A general anesthesia is required for this procedure, so be sure to speak with your surgeon concerning the risks of general anesthesia.
In addition to the standard and various "wet" types of liposuction, a procedure known as ultrasound assisted lipoplasty (UAL) is used for fibrous areas. This procedure uses ultrasound to break down the fat before standard liposuction techniques are employed to remove it. This procedure is most frequently used on the upper back or male chest.
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