Introduction to Liposuction
Liposuction is a type of plastic surgery procedure used to reduce unwanted pockets of fatty tissue under the skin. Like most plastic surgery procedures, liposuction should be used to improve or enhance overall appearance, not to completely change appearance. The patients who are most pleased with their surgical results are those whose expectations are appropriate for the changes in body shape and profile after the surgery. Such expectations are also important for other types of plastic surgery procedures, such as aesthetic nose surgery (nose job), breast augmentation surgery and abdominoplasty. For those patients who would like to learn about the full range of breast surgery options and the many types of breast implants available, including silicone and saline breast implants, visit the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Information about breast lift surgery, breast reduction procedure and breast enlargement is provided in detail.
Liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States. It is medically known 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.) Tumescent liposuction is the most commonly performed type of liposuction. During this procedure, a blood vessel constricting agent and anesthetic agent are injected into the fatty area. This technique provides for less scarring and faster recovery.
Liposuction: Proper Expectations
It is best to consult a liposuction surgeon to determine whether this procedure can provide benefit you. The surgeon can help establish the proper expectations and provide detailed information about the risks, benefits and expected results from surgery. He or she can also answer your questions about liposuction cost.
Other information about Liposuction surgery is available at the Liposuction Surgeon Directory or the emedicine section related to fat removal surgery.
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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