Liposuction
Liposuction means the process of removing fat deposits from different areas of the body, including the back, chest, abdomen and thighs. It can also be done on the hips, knees, buttocks, ankles, neck and sides.
Liposuction, otherwise known as lipoplasty or liposculpture, is a cosmetic procedure particularly useful at removing the most stubborn areas of fat that haven't shifted through exercise or diet. It is not used for weight loss or obesity, and isn't designed to remove cellulite, though it can in some cases.
Liposuction is limited in terms of how much fat is able to be removed from any area. In total it amounts to around 10 pounds of fat, but the good news is that this is permanent, and your body doesn't replace those fat cells in that area.
Liposuction works by inserting small tubes (cannulas) through which fluid is injected to help break down the fat cells. The fat is then removed by a vacuum pump. The surgery can be done on more than one area at once, and is often used in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
Who Is Liposuction For?
Liposuction is best suited for those who have areas of fat that just won't seem to shift through diet and exercise. It shouldn't be used by those who want a cure for obesity, but can help patients who have already lost weight and still have some areas of fat left.
This means that liposuction is good for those who are looking for fat reduction in a specific area of the body. If you are dieting an exercising then you'll find that you can't control exactly where the weight is lost – which is where liposuction comes in.
People often find that areas around the thighs, abdomen and upper arms are more resistant to weight loss efforts, though men and women have slightly different problem areas. Therefore, liposuction can provide an answer to fat loss in these areas, but not to obesity as a whole.
Your health is also considered before liposuction can go ahead. You need to be in general good health, eat healthy, and exercise regularly, to be a good candidate for liposuction.
Who Should Not Have Liposuction?
If your health is not in a great state then you should rethink your decision to have liposuction. As with any other surgical procedure, there are certain risks involved. Your surgeon will be able to advise you further as to whether liposuction is suitable for you. It may be that you can still go ahead with the surgery, but you will be more at risk than others in a better state of health.
Being a smoker also means there may be complications, because the wound may not heal as quickly. Giving up smoking is the best answer to improving the outcome of your liposuction. Your surgeon will probably have a number of resources to help you do this, for at least two weeks before and after surgery.
Certain other conditions, such as a history of poor wound healing, blood clots, excessive bleeding or cardiac problems can also increase your risk of complications, and you may need to stop taking certain prescription drugs.
Age can also have a negative impact, and the older you are the more complications that could result.
Conclusion
The best option is to ask your surgeon for advice. You should never rush into any cosmetic treatment, so discuss the various options available with a GP and think about what you need to gain. It's important to be realistic, as the procedure can't work miracles.
It may also be that there are some alternatives available to you besides liposuction. This could include a tummy tuck, which will help you to lose fat from around the abdomen. You can also make use of creams to help reduce stubborn fatty areas and cellulite. However, these creams are not guaranteed to work – and none of these treatments should be seen as an answer to obesity.
