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 Liposuction has become the most common cosmetic procedure performed.  Liposuction is being performed in both women and men in attempt to remove fat deposits from various locations throughout the body.  It is not intended to be a surgical solution to weight loss. 

This surgical procedure does not necessarily have to be performed at a hospital, but can be performed in outpatient surgery centers or sometimes in the physician's office.  The outpatient setting is more appropriate if only a smaller volume of fat is to be removed by liposuction. If a larger volume of fat needs to be removed or if this is being done in conjunction with other procedures, then your physician will discuss both the benefits and risks of performing this surgery in an outpatient versus hospital setting. 

Plastic surgeons or even dermatologists perform many of these liposuction procedures.  It is appropriate to question your surgeon on their level of experience in performing the liposuction procedure and their rate of complications and the expected recovery period.  Just because it is elective surgery does not mean that it is any less serious than any other type of invasive surgery. 

Many times after a large weight loss you are left with excess skin. This stretched skin may also be a result of pregnancy. One popular procedure to correct this is the liposuction tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty).  However, the women should be certain that they are not considering another pregnancy, since this would diminish the cosmetic results of the liposuction procedure and may restrict fetal mobility in the case of another pregnancy. 

As with any surgical procedure,  liposuction is not completely pain or discomfort free. Experiencing pain after surgery is common. There is also a possibility of drainage from the incisions after liposuction, but this is not unusual and if necessary,  your doctor may insert a drainage tube to avoid the build-up of fluid. 

It is important to understand the benefits, risks , possible complications, and expectations about the  usual time for recovery before deciding on whether elective liposuction is appropriate for you. And try not to be too impatient while waiting to see the results, as the cosmetic results of liposuction means different things to different people. 

 


 Is Liposuction for You? 

Most of us have extra fat somewhere on our body that we'd like to get rid of. We have flabby bellies after having babies that dieting and exercise won't get rid of, or we have fat deposits in our neck brought on by age. When exercise and dieting don't work, what can be done to get our bodies back? Many people are turning to liposuction to address these issues, making it one of the most popular procedures in plastic surgery. 

Liposuction is a procedure that has gotten much safer recently due to new techniques such as the tumescent technique. This minimally-invasive technique uses a small steel tube called a canulla and a strong vacuum to break up and suck fat out of the body via tiny incisions. It is performed under local sedation, so the risks of general anesthesia are avoided, and since the incisions are so small, they are less likely to cause scarring. Additionally, patients can resume their normal activities in about 24 hours, making the procedure even more appealing. Liposuction seems like the perfect way to get rid of unwanted fat, but there are some factors to consider before undergoing the procedure. 

First, liposuction is not for everyone. It does not tighten the skin, so if you're looking to get rid of your flabby belly with loose skin, you will be disappointed. Your skin will be much looser once some of your belly fat is removed, and you will not have a flat tummy. You'd be better off to explore other procedures, such as a tummy tuck. 

Also, liposuction usually doesn't result in weight loss, so if you want to lose weight, you'll be disappointed. You'd be better off just going on a diet. The best candidates for liposuction are healthy people who are within their normal weight range. 

Liposuction, like any surgery, has risks. These risks can include a reaction to the local anesthetic, the perforation of an organ, an infection at the site of the liposuction (which can lead to sepsis), a fat embolism or collection of blood under the skin (a hematoma). Other less-serious side effects can include hyperpigmentation, numbness or indentations in the area. To minimize the risks, it is best to find a board certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience performing this procedure. 

Additionally, liposuction is expensive. Liposuction prices average from $2500 to $5700, depending on which area of the body you're having done. For example, if you're removing fat from your chin area it will cost about $2500, while removing fat from your abdomen costs about $5700. Prices will vary based on how many areas you're having done and where you live. To learn more about liposuction cost ,   visit liposuctioncost.com. 

Liposuction can improve your appearance, confidence and self esteem, making you more likely to exercise and keep fit. If you do your research and find a board-certified physician who is experienced in performing liposuction, you're likely to be very happy with the outcome of the procedure. 

  


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EditText of this page (last edited February 16, 2011)

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