Liposuction

Liposuction surgery is one of most prevalent cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the Unites States. Liposuction is designed to permanently extract excess fat deposits known as cellulite. It is an elective procedure (hence cosmetic surgery rather than reconstructive plastic surgery) that permits the cosmetic surgeon to remove unwanted fat below the surface of the skin in areas that have not previously responded to exercise and strict dieting.

A type of liposuction, lipoplasty re-contours the body by utilizing a probe that breaks up fat with ultrasonic waves and sucks it out with massage suctioning. Ultrasonic liposuction uses high frequency waves to achieve bursting. This liposuction technique has few negative liposuction side effects. Although ultrasonic liposuction is costly--almost $2,000 more than other liposuction techniques--it does indeed boast favorable results. As tumescent liposuction makes use of local anesthesia and incurs little bleeding/bruising, it too is a liposuction procedure whose side effects are minimal. Tumescent liposuction requires an initial injection of saline/lidocaine/adrenaline mixture.

Liposuction is most successful in people with smooth skin tone but pesky, isolated areas of fatty deposits (hence is not a treatment for obesity). These treatable, isolated fatty areas may include the hips, thighs, abdomen, knees, ankles, face and neck.

Neck liposuction tightens up the neck regions and can be performed in conjunction with chin liposuction which firms double chins and sagging jowls. Liposuction recovery is longer in terms of facial liposuction. Stomach liposuction, abdomen liposuction and thigh liposuction utilize a sucking action, as to treat facial fat, but the liposuction doctor does not have to be as meticulous with his incision technique for the tube. Liposuction swelling frequently occurs after liposuction is performed over large areas of the body and can last as long as several months.

A series of factors may affect the results of liposuction including physical health, genetics, diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol habits and natural skin elasticity. While liposuction does permanently remove cellulite, if a patient gains a substantial amount of weight post-operation, the treated areas may tend to ripple.

Consult a cosmetic surgeon for further information on liposuction surgery risks, costs and complications.