Liposuction May Be the Best Procedure for You

You may be one of those people who have found that, no matter how much you diet and exercise there are some stubborn pockets of fat that just won’t go away. These excess fat deposits are generally the result of genetics and can appear on your chin, knees, buttocks, thighs, abdomen, or hips.

Liposuction is the cosmetic procedure that plastic surgeons use to remove those pockets of stubborn fat.

Liposuction has become the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States. Today, there are many different types of liposuction procedures available to fit a particular situation. All provide excellent results, if performed by a highly trained and experienced surgeon.

Syringe Liposuction

This is the normal, most fundamental approach to liposuction and involves inserting a syringe with an attached tube into the target area. The syringe is then withdrawn, creating suction, which removes fat. Syringe liposuction is simple and effective and results in a minimum amount of blood loss and quick healing time.

Ultrasonic Liposuction

This technology involves the use of sound waves passed down a tube into the body to break up the fat and allow for easier removal. Since the sound waves generate heat that can cause burns, manufacturers have designed salt water irrigation systems that cool the tube while it is in use.

VASER-assisted Lipoplasty (Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance)

VASER involves the introduction of ultrasonic sound waves under the skin into the target area immediately prior to the liposuction treatment. The sound waves break up the fat cells and the liposuction removes the materials released from the fat cells.

Power-assisted Liposuction

Power assisted liposuction involves the use of a motor that moves a metal tube within a metal tube. Essentially, for each forward and backward motion of the surgeon’s hand during the liposuction the patient effectively receives 2, 3 or more times as many motions of the tube. In essence, more fat can be removed per unit of time.

Laser-assisted Liposuction

In this type of liposuction a laser fiber is passed through the skin into the body and the laser beam is then passed down the fiber. It is thought that this breaks up fat cells and results in more skin shrinkage than liposuction without laser. It also may result in less bruising and swelling and so recovery times are shorter.

Micro Liposuction

With micro liposuction, small amounts of fat are removed through injection sized needles. This type of liposuction is frequently used for the jowls, chin or neck areas.

Recovery

Liposuction is normally done on an outpatient basis and no hospital stay is needed. You will, however, be advised to get plenty of rest the first few days and take the pain medication prescribed or recommended by the doctor, as needed. Most people can return to work within a week. The doctor will also give you specific instructions regarding after-surgery care and the dos and don’ts of activity.

Once excess fat cells are removed by liposuction, your body becomes less likely to put on weight in those areas. This is because fat cells don’t normally grow back in adults. But, it’s important to remember, if you overeat and don’t exercise your body will gain weight.