Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure, which removes fat from a variety of body parts by “sucking” it out of the body. The most common areas this surgery is performed are the thighs, neck, arms, face and stomach. Fat is removed with a tool called a cannula. A cannula is a hollow device that is placed under the skin. The surgeon moves the instrument back and forth while suction is applied to remove the fat from the patient’s body.
What is the Purpose of Liposuction?
Contrary to popular belief, this procedure is not used for weight loss purposes. The majority of patients that choose liposuction are at a normal body weight, but have areas of their bodies that they struggle with because of stubborn fat deposits. The surgery is used to give the body a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for the patient by “sculpting” the stubborn areas of their body. It is for looks only and offers absolutely no physical health benefits to the patient.
Patients should view liposuction as a last resort. It is better to make a real effort to eat right, exercise and get the right amount of sleep to achieve their desired results without surgery.
People stop generating fat cells early in life. Liposuction removes fat cells permanently, but the amount of fat removed from the body is limited for safety reasons. If a surgeon removes too much fat during the procedure, the patient can be left with dents or lumps across their skin.
This surgery can only affect very small parts of the human body. Candidates that are interested in liposuction should be aware that they cannot achieve whole body sculpting with one surgery. Attempting to remove fat from large parts of the body would be extremely dangerous and the look achieved would be anything but pleasing to the eye.
Benefits of Liposuction
• Liposuction has the potential to benefit a variety of different medical conditions. Gynecomastia, for example, is a condition where fatty tissue grows in the breast area of some men. Patients with symptoms like gynecomastia are ideal candidates for liposuction.
• In patients that maintain their weight after surgery, the results of the surgery can be long lasting.
Potential Complications and Other Issues
• One of the most common complaints among patients is contour irregularity. If a patient’s skin heals in an irregular way or has poor elasticity, irregularities in the skin may be permanent.
• Heart or kidney problems may arise because when fluids are injected and removed from the body. Changes in fluid levels can severely damage these organs.
• About one in 5500 liposuction patients die from complications. It is important to keep in mind that surgery, cosmetic or not, always comes with risks.
How Do I Make the Choice to Have Surgery?
Liposuction is a procedure that should be given a huge amount of thought before the patient decides it is the right option. Patients should discuss the pros and cons of the operation with their doctor at length because of the serious complications that can result from liposuction.
Author Bio:
This post is courtesy of Dr Farah Meher Homji of Cosmos Cinic, you can find her on Google+, as well as watching her on YouTube as part of her video series on cosmetic surgery.