LIPOSUCTION:JLiposuction surgery has become the most commonly performed operation in the field of plastic surgery. This procedure involves the removal of fatty tissue from under the skin by use of a suction device; it is used to improve the patient’s figure in one specific problem area, or in several locations as part of more comprehensive body contouring strategy. For the plastic surgeon, liposuction is both a surgical procedure and an artistic one, combining direct benefits to the health of the patient and the creativity to sculpt body tissue in a visually authentic manner.
There are multiple terms used to describe the different liposuction techniques, which vary slightly depending on the objectives of the procedure. “Liposuction”, “Suction-Assisted Lipectomy”, “Liposculpture”—even the informal “lipo”—all refer to the same basic procedure. Recent advances include Ultrasound Assisted Lipectomy, which involves the use of a cannula—a tube that vibrates with ultrasonic energy liquifying the fat to facilitate more effective removal.
Who will benefit from this procedure?
Most patients seeking liposuction for improvement of body contour have tried multiple diets and exercise programs, but certain problem areas remain. It is important to realize that suction-assisted lipectomy is not a method of weight reduction in itself, as relatively little weight (in terms of fat) is removed from the body when the surgery is performed safely. The procedure is designed specifically to improve body contour. Therefore, it is important for a patient contemplating a lipectomy to be at or close to his or her "set point" weight.
Liposuction will not change the appearance of the skin. Skin that is loose, dimpled, wrinkled—conditions often referred to as “cellulite”—or has multiple depressions or waves prior to surgery will not be improved by the lipectomy. In general, patients with firm elastic skin with minimal wrinkling and redundancy, well-controlled and stable weight, and limited areas of fatty-tissue excess can expect the most favorable results. Localized deposits of excess fat in the hips and "saddle bag" areas—as well as the inner and outer thigh areas—are usually quite improved following the procedure.
Assuming a similar diet and activity levels as before the surgery, a patient will typically maintain a slightly lower weight, with much less trouble from the "trouble spots". It is the obligation of the patient to continue to watch their diet and exercise as much as possible.
