As many dieters know, some fat deposits on the body simply do not respond to exercise or dieting. No matter how many hours on the treadmill or low-fat meals, that bulge will resolutely not go away. That is where surgery weight loss and Liposuction come in.
A common misconception is that targeted exercise can reduce fat content in certain areas - but in fact, no matter how many sit-ups you do, you will only ever reduce your overall body fat, not the fat around your belly. Liposuction is really the only effective method for localised fat.
Liposuction is not a substitute for diet or exercise. Rather it is used to target localised, difficult to move, fatty areas. A typical operation will remove only between 5 and 10lbs. One major benefit of liposuction is that the removed fat cells do not grow back - it really is harder to put the weight back on afterwards!
The origins of liposuction are in France, home to many cosmetic surgery techniques. First used by French surgeon Charles Dujarier in the 1920s, liposuction fell out of fashion before US surgeons began to experiment again in the 1980s, this time with modern surgical techniques. In the US, two thirds of the population is overweight, so it has become the most often performed surgical technique.
Are you suitable for liposuction? You should be in good health and have tried diet and exercise already. Liposuction is not an overall weight loss solution - you need to have some hard to move, isolated fatty areas to be considered for liposuction.
You should also be over 18 years old. Older patients though, may find that extra procedures are needed to compensate for the relative inelasticity of their skin. Lastly, diabetes sufferers are usually excluded from liposuction, even if otherwise in good health.
Liposuction techniques can be described firstly by the amount of fluid injected into the area of the body, to loosen the fat
cells and prevent bruising. There are 4 categories:
Dry Liposuction.. An old method with no fluid injection whatsoever.
Wet Liposuction.. A small amount of fluid is injected into the area, containing a salt solution with Lidocaine (an anaesthetic) and
Epinephrine (to minimise bleeding).
Super-Wet Liposuction.. The amount is liquid injected is the same as the fat to be removed. Preferred for higher volume liposuction.
Tumescent Liposuction.. The largest amount of liquid. Fat is easier for the surgeon to remove, but surgery can take 2 hours longer.
Another variable in the liposuction process is the type of tube (or cannula) used in the procedure:
Suction-assisted liposuction.. A tube is inserted through a small incision. The surgeon uses the tube to dislodge the
fat cells, then sucks them up using a vacuum device. The most common form of liposuction.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction.. A specialized tube sends vibrations through the body to break up the fat, which is then sucked out.
Less blood loss that suction-assisted alone.
Power-assisted liposuction.. The tube has a mechanical function that reduces the amount of work needed from the surgeon.
The patient is bandaged and wears a compression garment, until drainage from the affected area stops. Bandages are changed every two days, while the drainage equipment is taken out after around a week. Swelling can take up to 2 months to subside.
Patients should avoid alcohol, rest fully for at least a week, avoid any submersion in water and drink plenty of fluids. The finished product will be there to see after anywhere between 2 and 6 months.
Liposuction is by now a very well established procedure, but what are the risks? The side effects include bruising, swelling, pain, numbness and scars. For some time the patient will have trouble getting back into their daily lives, and will have to wear bandages and a compression garment.
On a more serious note, any surgery involves risks, especially surgery with general anaesthetic. A recent study found a 0.14% major complication rate. Complications can include inflection, skin damage or fluid imbalance. The surgeon will always give a full list of possible complications.
