Liposuction: Are you a candidate?

Getting rid of the excessive fat stored in different parts of our body is a challenge many people face these days. The stubborn fat is mostly seen in the abdomen, thighs, and flanks. Fat in these areas is difficult to remove even after maintaining diet and exercise. Those are the times when people feel the requirement to take medical help to get rid of the fat.

If you are considering getting a liposuction done, you could be pondering with many questions. Here are some of your queries answered.

Liposuction

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical method that removes the excess fat from different parts of the body in an aim to make it aesthetically pleasing. This procedure eliminates the fat from between the skin and the muscles to give the body a better contour. They get rid of the isolated deposits of fat that do not tend to leave the body even after exercising and rejuvenates the body’s beauty.

Liposuction or ‘lipo’ sucks out the body fat with the help of a cannula from the abdomens, thighs buttocks and flanks. It leaves the body with a proper contour, elasticity and a healthy weight.

Know if you are a candidate

Not everyone is permitted to undertake this surgery and has to fulfill specific criteria. Liposuction can be only performed on  patients who meet the following criteria:

• Excellent health
• Above the age of 18.
• Good body weight index?
• Have deposits of weight on body parts that do not react to diet and exercise.
• Meet the necessary health qualifications.

There are however some people who are barred from taking this surgery, like:

• Women who are pregnant or in the nursing stage.
• People with medical conditions or systemic diseases which could cause complications during the surgery.
• Individuals who are taking certain medications that can interfere with the success of the surgery.
• People allergic to any medication or solution used in the procedure.

How does Liposuction work?

Thousand Oaks Plastic Surgeon, Dr. James Watson believes that the patient should have a complete understanding of the surgery before considering it. These are the steps followed by the authentic Liposuction procedure:

• The area to be treated is determined, and the surgeon guides the patient on the possible outcomes and results.
• The patient signs a contract of consent on the day of surgery.
• The doctor might give an antibiotic before the treatment. It is also offered after the surgery in some cases.
• The patient is then stood upright and the area to be treated is marked by the doctor.
• If the patient demands on seeing the before and after comparison, photographs are taken of the area to be treated.
• To avoid infection, like before every surgery a sterilizing solution is applied to the area.
• Anaesthesia to be given can be either local, general or regional. If injected with local anesthesia, the patient is also provided a sedative either intravenously or orally.
• Incisions are given in the marked area that is usually small.
• During the surgery, intravenous fluid is given to the patients, to balance the loss of fluids.
• Like any surgery, the blood pressure, blood oxygen level, and heart rate is continuously monitored, by attaching the body to a device.
• The wound is either not sutured or partially sutured leave some space for the fluid to drain out.
• If the patient was injected local anesthesia, they could return to their respective homes the very same day.

In the recent years, there have emerged new techniques and ideas that make the surgery less painful for patients and more easy for the surgeon. They are:

• Suction-Assisted Liposuction: This type uses the primary method of Liposuction. A cannula is inserted into the cut and is attached to the vacuum device. The fat is then broken down and sucked out of the area.
• Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: This type uses ultrasonic vibrations through the cannula to break down the layers of fat. It requires being followed by the Suction-Assisted Liposuction as the broken down fat needs to be vacuumed out.
• Power-Assisted liposuction: The cannula uses a mechanical movement for the breakdown of fat.
• Laser-Assisted Liposuction: The laser is inserted into the area with the help of fiber which is threaded to a microcannula. The laser melts the fat and makes it easier to remove it.
• Tumescent technique: This technique uses local anesthesia primarily. The fat is anesthetized and removed with minimal blood loss.

Choosing a right surgeon is an essential thing to do. The surgery is effective and safe but could lead to a bunch of complications. So, if you’re considering a liposuction, find the best surgeon in your area and refine your body today!

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liposuction
2. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction
3. http://s-b-c-beverlyhills.com/liposuction/
4. http://s-b-c-beverlyhills.com/