Liposuction is a common kind of cosmetic surgery that eliminates undesirable layers of extra fat to improve the appearance of the body and smooth uneven body shapes. The procedure is sometimes known as body contouring. Liposuction is useful for contouring the neck, under the chin, cheeks, breasts, upper arms, buttocks, abdomen, thighs, hips, calves, knees, and ankles.
The Basics
Liposuction eliminates fat from the body by using suction. Tiny, narrow tubes called cannula that have blunt tips are introduced through small slits in the skin. The body fat is suctioned out of the tubes as the physician shifts the tubes under the skin to reach particular deposits of fat.
The primary purpose of liposuction is to restructure parts of the body, not to decrease the weight. Liposuction is used mostly on difficult areas of the body that have not benefited from exercise and diet. These zones are commonly hips and outer thighs for women and back and the waist for men. Liposuction is also used along with various cosmetic surgery processes such as breast reduction, facelift or tummy tuck.
Additionally, liposuction treats medical conditions such as issues with the metabolism of body fat, non-malignant fatty tumors, irregular enlargement of male breasts, extreme sweating in armpits and metabolism of body fat. Liposuction is not effective in treating obesity or removing cellulite or stretch marks.
Ultrasound Liposuction
Recently, the liposuction process has been improved by techniques that made the procedure more comfortable and easier to experience. Ultrasound liposuction is a system that uses ultrasonic energy to dissolve the fat, making it easier to remove. This method is beneficial for eliminating fat from the sides, back, and upper abdomen.
Tumescent Lipo
Tumescent liposuction involves using a local anesthetic that numbs the part of the body where the cannula is inserted. Then a larger quantity of the anesthetic solution that contains epinephrine and lidocaine is introduced into the fatty tissue before the customary liposuction procedure is completed.
Lipo Laser Treatments
Laser-assisted liposuction makes use of laser-guided energy waves that cause the fat to liquefy. The fat is taken out through a small cannula. Laser liposuction is also more exact and less aggressive that other non-laser measures.
Full-Body Liposuction
Full-body liposuction is another option. Also referred to as large volume liposuction, this procedure removes four to five liters of fat from multiple areas of the body. Potential areas include the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, hips, arms, and waist. While this is a more cost effective option, it is also more demanding on the body, which means that the risk of complications is increased.
