Liposuction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery option for both men and women that removes fat from directly beneath the skin to smooth and contour problem areas that won't respond to diet and exercise. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure but rather helps to reshape and contour areas that have not responded to diet and exercise in individuals who are at or near their ideal body weight. There are some fat locations that are resistant to the benefits of diet and exercise. Liposuction in these areas can help achieve a desired shape.

Indications for liposuction

Patients who are near their ideal weight but have localized fat deposits are ideal candidates for liposuction. Many areas can be treated including the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, back, and chin. Ideal candidates have good skin elasticity, which allow for skin tightening after the procedure. Poor skin tone and elasticity may result in loose skin with increased folds after removing the fat beneath the skin. Liposuction is often combined with skin excision when excess skin is anticipated. Liposuction does not affect intra-abdominal fat, referred to as visceral fat. Visceral fat is located around the intestines, deep beneath the abdominal muscles.

Procedure

Liposuction is performed through small incisions that, whenever possible, are placed in well-hidden areas of the body. A narrow tube with a bunt tip, also called a cannula, is inserted through these incisions to dislodge the fat cells and suction the cells away. Liposuction is an outpatient procedure that can be combined with or without excision of excess skin.

Postoperative Recovery Phase

The postoperative recovery varies for each individual patient and is partly dependent on the areas treated. Compression over the treated area for at least 4 to 6 weeks after surgery helps minimize swelling and improve contouring. Some bruising and moderate swelling is normal for the first several weeks after the procedure. As the swelling improves, the newly shaped contour becomes visible, however, the final results often take six or more months to fully appreciate.