Introduction to Liposuction
Cosmetic plastic surgery comprises a combination of procedures used to change or improve the aesthetics of a patient. The two most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures are liposuction and rhinoplasty (nose surgery). Other commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), facelift (face-lift) and weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery). The most commonly performed breast enhancement surgery procedures are breast augmentation with breast lift, breast implants, breast enlargement and breast reduction. Botox injection was the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedure. Overall, cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures increased by 33% from 2002 to 2003, with over 8.7 million procedures being performed.
Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States and it is sometimes referred to as lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy or liposculpture. Liposuction is a technique where fat deposits under the skin are removed.
For everyone, fat deposits can accumulate under the skin. With sufficient accumulation, certain body areas, such as the arms, neck, thighs, abdomen, etc, can bulge and appear flabby. Even in people who exercise regularly and eat a very healthy diet, these fat deposits can persist. Sometimes they are inherited or just due to body chemistry. When these deposits are specifically localized, they can be removed by liposuction.
How is Liposuction Performed
Liposuction is a technique in which the fat deposits under the skin are removed with a long needle or tube (called a cannula) that is inserted through an incision in the skin and a strong vacuum. Essentially, the cannula is inserted under the skin and scraped along the skin surface, loosening the fat deposits. These fat deposits are then sucked into the vacuum through a tube connected to the cannula. The cannula is hollow with holes at the end to allow the suction. The typical size of the liposuction cannula is 3 mm, but the cannulas can be as large as 6 mm or as small as 1.5 mm. The size of the cannula used for the liposuction procedure should provide a balance between the size of the incision in the skin (the smaller the better from a scaring standpoint) and the efficiency of the liposuction procedure (larger cannulas can extract more fatty deposits over less time.)
Liposuction: Proper Expectations
Liposuction is a means to enhance or improve the body's contour and shape. It cannot completely change the patient's shape. The patient should have realistic expectations and understand that liposuction is not a "quick fix" or a substitute for good diet and exercise. Liposuction can improve the physique and that should be the primary goal and expectation for the procedure, but it may have no impact on other areas of the patient's life. It is best to consult a liposuction surgeon to determine whether this procedure can provide benefit.
Other information about Liposuction surgery is available at the Liposuction Surgeon Directory or the emedicine section related to Liposuction.
The most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures are rhinoplasty (nose surgery), liposuction and breast augmentation. Other popular surgical procedures include tummy tuck and facelift. Learn more about breast, nose and tummy procedures from the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
This webpage discusses information about liposuction, who are the best candidates and how to find a liposuction surgeon.
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