Known also as lipoplasty, liposuction is a procedure used to
extract excess fat deposits and improve the body’s contours. In order to remove
these deposits, a metal tube (cannula) is guided through an incision made in the
skin and inserted between the skin and the muscle, where the fat deposits are
located. The cannula is hooked up to a suction pump that sucks out the fat. And
as the cannula is steered through, it creates small tunnels through the fatty
layers. Following surgery these channels
collapse, resulting in a better contour.
Today, there are a variety of liposuction techniques that
can be used, including:
- Lipotherme
- CoolLipo
- SmartLipo
- Laser liposuction
- LipoLite
-
Vaser liposelection
All of these methods can be used to diminish localized fat
deposits located in the:
- Upper arms
- Back
- Thighs
- Hips and buttocks
- Waist and abdomen
- Chest
- Face (e.g. chin and cheeks)
- Neck
- Inner knee
- Calves and ankles
While liposuction has its advantages, it is not an effective
treatment for cellulite and obesity, nor should it substitute a healthy diet
and exercise. The new body shape that is seen after liposuction is more or less
permanent. The fat deposits that are removed during the procedure do not grow
back; however, if the patient gains a considerable amount of weight, new fat
cells can develop in the treated area. On the other hand, if the patient gains
only a small amount of weight, the existing fat cells will get bigger as fat
gathers in them, and this can mean that the persons figure will still hold the
new body shape, only it will be a slightly larger version. Also to be considered is the aging process,
which will play a factor in how the body changes its shape years after the
procedure.
Depending on the patient, one or more sessions
may be necessary. This is because there is a maximum amount of fat that should
be removed on a single day to reduce the risk of serious complications, and it
is 6 to 8 pounds. If more than eight pounds of fat need to be removed, multiple
liposuction procedures will be performed, and they will be spaced out over a
period of 3 to 4 weeks. After liposuction, the patient will see some results
but not as much as will be seen within one to three months when postoperative
swelling has gone down, the tunnels created in the fat have collapsed and
healing has occurred. Read More