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Is Liposuction for Me?

Television is covered with shows about plastic surgery - from real life expert shows to makeover shows. Magazines are just as filled with ideas about plastic surgery, such as breast augmentation or facelifts. Most of all, these are filled with stories about liposuction, and how great it is.

Liposuction is just what it sounds like - the removal of fat (lipo comes from the Latin lipid for fat) by suction. The procedure is done by a plastic surgeon, usually in a surgery center or a hospital, and it is considered a relatively major procedure. Most patients require general anesthesia for the surgery.

Most patients are given the standard type of liposuction surgery, although there are other types. Little incisions are made in the skin and instruments (cannulas) and syringes are inserted through them. The cannulas will suck out all of the fat, and the syringe delivers saline and anesthetic solutions to the area.

The head of the cannula is moved around under the skin within the fat layer, lubricated by the saline and anesthetic, to scrape away some fat cells, which are sucked up by the cannula itself. They are then taken out of the body. Most patients can expect to lose up to the maximum of 10 pounds of fat.

The patient is then wrapped in tight bandages and sent home. Dents and ripples under the skin are possible complications of the liposuction, and can be seen from inexperienced doctors. There are other types of liposuction being developed such as laser assisted liposuction, which are in limited use.

Some think that liposuction is an alternative to programs for weight loss such as diet, or even exercise, but it is not. A good plastic surgeon will not work on a patient who has not lost their weight and gotten to near their goal weight before seeking liposuction. It is just a final touch for those who need it.

Men who get liposuction tend to get theirs done on their flank areas, or on their abdomen areas, while women also get their tummies done, but then get their thighs worked on. There are, of course, other areas where liposuction can be used to great effect, but it cannot make skin tighter or firmer.

Sometimes, patients are turned away for being liposuction candidates. You might not be able to get your liposuction if you are a smoker, diabetic (or otherwise ill), too overweight or under the age of 18. You need to have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery as well.

You shouldn't think of liposuction as a way to lose those extra few pounds - instead, it's a way to make yourself look better if nothing else has worked. If diet, exercise and all natural methods have failed to make you look the way you want to, then consider getting some liposuction done.

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Aazdak Alisimo writes about plastic surgery issues for PlasticSurgeonPractices.com, where you can locate a plastic surgeon in your city. Don't reprint this article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

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