Need To Know About Liposuction
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure used to remove unwanted fat from one’s body. It is a very frequent treatment for people who have stubborn areas of fat on their lower back or are self-conscious about their thighs and arms. It can be used to remove fat from any location on the body but is more commonly used for slimming down the waistline or getting rid of fat pockets in areas resistant to exercise and diet. A dermatologic surgeon uses a small tube called a cannula inserted into the fatty area. This can be done through several incisions or through one that is large enough to insert the cannula. This article discusses all you need to know about liposuction.
Table of Contents
Am I a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for liposuction are those who have some fat deposits in areas where they would like to be thinner but have little or no loose skin. If you were to lose weight, you would still want your body to look good. If you have loose skin, you will probably not be happy with the results because the skin will hang over your muscles in an unflattering manner. You should be in good shape and should exercise regularly. You must also understand that liposuction alone is not a magic cure for weight loss. It will only remove some of the fat from your body, but it cannot eliminate fat above a certain threshold level.
What Liposuction Cannot Do
Liposuction cannot eliminate fat cells. To lose weight and look nice, you need to exercise, eat a healthy diet, and be patient. One of the most common treatment failures is that an individual comes in for liposuction without exercising in the past year or dieting at all. These people are not good candidates for liposuction because they are not ready for the procedure to be effective.
Liposuction might not reduce the appearance of cellulite. However, other things can do this. Cellulite is a common concern among many people. It usually shows up when fat cells are clustered in a certain body area. A liposuction procedure cannot eliminate these fat deposits. This is because these fat cells will always be there, or they will return to the walls of the blood vessels. However, liposuction will smooth out any areas that have become lumpy or irregular through exercise and dieting.
Risks and Complications
The most common risks and complications of liposuction are:
- Excessive bleeding
- Tissue death
- Persistent swelling or pain
- Fat clots
- Asymmetry
- Pulmonary complications
- Need for additional surgery
- Unfavorable scarring, contour irregularities, skin discoloration, and sagging of the skin
After the procedure is over, you might have some numbness around the treated areas because of the local anesthetic. You will be required to wear compressive garments for a few weeks to minimize swelling and healing time.
What To Expect
The procedure takes between two and four hours. It is generally painless, but you will have to remain in the clinic for a certain time after the procedure because of the incisions involved. After the procedure, you might feel a little awkward. You might feel embarrassed about being seen in public because of your scars. If you are timid about showing off your body after liposuction, it would be best to wait until summertime before having this procedure done.
Also, the normal weight loss rate is between one and two pounds a week. If you expect more than this, you are not a good candidate for liposuction. On the other hand, people who have no excess fat to remove are not ideal candidates because they lack motivation.
Types of Liposuction
There are different liposuction techniques. Each technique is designed to treat a specific area of the body. Here is a brief list of popular liposuction procedures.
- Tumescent liposuction
This is a type of suction liposuction procedure. The suction device is placed in the body, and the doctor uses a vacuum to suck out the fat.
- Fluid-preserved liposuction
This procedure is done under local anesthesia. It is done by injecting a chemical into the fat. This chemical provides about 12 to 24 hours of protection for the fat cells to have minimal bleeding afterward.
- Ultrasound-assisted liposuction, or UAL
This procedure uses ultrasound to dissolve the fat. The ultrasound focuses on specific areas so that the process will affect the targeted tissue.
- Laser-assisted liposuction
This is a procedure that uses a laser to reduce the amount of fat. This is the best way to remove the fat because it causes minimal damage and bleeding to the surrounding tissues.
Costs
The cost of liposuction depends on the size of the area that needs to be treated. Before operating, it is critical to inform the practitioner exactly what you would like to have done. Your health insurance provider often pays for this procedure.
If you have excess fat on your body, one of your prime concerns would be that it looks unattractive. You need to weigh carefully whether or not you want liposuction because if you do not like the results, then there is no other option to remove it. It might not be necessary to remove all the fat, but only a certain amount. Liposuction is a great procedure that helps many patients feel more comfortable with their bodies. However, you must make sure you are the right candidate before undergoing this surgery.
Positive Effects
There are liposuction positive effects, but they are not permanent. In other words, liposuction is not the solution to your weight-loss problems. You need to combine a healthy diet and regular exercise to get your ideal body shape. Liposuction will only reduce the fat, but it will not transform your entire body. Here are some of the positive effects.
- It makes you feel better about yourself. This is most importantly a confidence-boosting procedure because it helps you look better. Liposuction helps you take control of your life and feel better about yourself.
- It is an excellent way to determine whether or not you are in shape. You can determine if you have been exercising regularly by looking at your body after liposuction.
- The results are visible for all to see, even if you have not lost a significant amount of weight.
- You look more attractive and confident.
- It will help you eliminate problem areas of fat (like the lower back and thighs).
How Long Is Recovery?
Recovery is much faster than most people would think. You will be able to get up and do things the next day after the surgery, and you should be able to get back to work within a couple of days. This is why the recovery time is usually less than two weeks. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about your recovery period.
Conclusion
Since liposuction is considered a surgical procedure, it carries many risks as well. The most common complication after liposuction is skin necrosis and persistent postoperative swelling. Skin necrosis can also be caused by infection. Postoperative infection is the most common complication after this surgery. It can be either deep or superficial. In more severe cases, it may result in fat necrosis caused by the formation of abscesses.
