Liposuction is not the method for weight loss.

               Liposuction

 

 

Introduction:

 

Nowadays, people want to look beautiful to increase their self-esteem and social acceptance. They spend a lot of money to improve their appearance.

 

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure which is used to remove unwanted body fat by suction. It is often used on thighs, hips, buttocks, lower legs, back, abdomen, chest, upper arms, neck, jawline, and cheeks creating a slimmer appearance. A liposuction machine and special instrument called cannula are used for the surgery.

 

Process of Liposuction:

 

Most body fat is located on top of the muscle tissue just beneath the skin. The amount of fat that accumulates under the skin varies depending on inherited traits, body type, and lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.

                                         

 Liposuction works by surgically removing excess fat with a suction device resulting in improved contours in the desired area. There are a variety of liposuction procedures available, including the use of ultrasonic waves or laser light to aid fat removal. However, most liposuction procedures are a variation of widely used procedure called tumescent liposuction. This procedure uses special fluid to aid fat removal with suction.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLu-nbFaRW4

The physician will carefully mark the areas that will be sculpted and use these markings as guidelines during the procedure. Liposuction may be done under local anesthesia where only the surrounding area is numb or under general anesthesia which makes the person to sleep; for procedures involving large areas or multiple areas of the body.

Tumescent fluid expands the tissues making it easier to remove fat cells, numbs the treatment area and minimizes bleeding. Once a large volume of tumescent fluid is injected into the treatment area, the patient will rest for several minutes while the area becomes completely numb.

Short incisions are made in inconspicuous areas or along natural creases of the body depending on the location of the procedure. The physician will insert a small tube-like device called a cannula. Using forward and backward motion, small tunnels are created in the fat layer removing the fat with suction. The tunnels will collapse over the next few weeks resulting in new contours in the specific treatment areas. The incisions may be closed with sutures or may be left open and absorbent pads are applied to the site.

 

Pain, bruises, and swelling after the procedure are normal and will typically subside within several weeks. The patient needs to wear a special compression garment for few weeks to provide support, minimise swelling and help the skin comfort to the new contours of the body.

 

The patient finds improvement in their appearance soon after the procedure. The new contours will progressively improve in 3 to 6 months. 

Although fat cells are permanently removed during the procedure, one should understand that liposuction does not prevent growth of remaining fatty tissues. With realistic expectations and proper maintenance, one can get satisfied with liposuction procedure for many years.

 

Risks Associated with Liposuction:

 

• Any surgery is associated with risks of bleeding and infections, but if one follows all the rules and protocols, this can be avoided. 

• Second risk factor is if the hospital is not equipped (ICU and ventilator facility); some patients by chance need it as an emergency.

• Third risk factor is if the doctors you choose are not board-certified plastic surgeons or anesthetists (as they do not follow rules).
•  Liposuction, if performed in a limit, it is totally safe. American guidelines say it is safe if we remove 10 % (liters) of total body weight (kg) or according to some experienced doctors, it should be 7 % to 8 %. For example, if a 80 kg person undergoes liposuction, it should be restricted to 6 to 61/2 liters maximum in a day.
•  Removing fat is not a difficult task, but how you remove to get a good shape is important; and how much you remove according to a person’s built is science. If you remove more fat than required, there is a risk of fluid electrolyte imbalance.
• Risk of asymmetries and irregularities can be avoided if you undergo liposuction under trained surgeons with fully equipped tools.
• If the skin is too loose, then the patient should use technologies like body tight, tummy tuck, skin removal, or thigh lift depending on the area. This may sometimes lead to a scar; if the patient is worried about the scar, then he/she should avoid liposuction.
•  In a liposuction surgery, the doctor does a forward and backward motion and sucks the fat, if he does this movement in a wrong manner, then that can damage the patient’s body.

 

 Who Should Opt for Liposuction?

 

Liposuction is recommended only when lifestyle adjustments have failed to produce the desired outcome; for people who have tried other methods to lose weight, but are not satisfied with the results.

 

Liposuction is used to address fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise. Every fat cell grows in size and volume as an individual puts on weight. The quantity of fat cells in isolated locations is reduced by liposuction.

 

Patients must consult a physician to see if liposuction is appropriate for them or not. An ideal candidate should be over 18 years of age; who are within 30% of their optimum weight; BMI should be less than 30.

 

The person should have good skin tone, those who do not have saggy skin, or surplus skin; have good skin elasticity, have great muscle tone, are in good physical condition, and have strong overall health are suitable candidates for liposuction.

 

Mostly, someone who had children and had loose skin; someone who wants to tighten up their skin after large weight loss.

 

People who have serious underlying medical conditions including heart diseases, diabetes, DVT, seizures or liver problems; or who take blood thinners or other drugs that can raise the risk of bleeding; who have any life-threatening diseases or medical disorders that may interfere with healing are not suitable for liposuction.

People who smoke have weakened immune system, also they are overweight; smoking causes long term health concerns; such people have increased risk of developing complications after having the procedure.

 

The patient should understand the main purpose of the procedure and should have realistic expectation about the outcome. Last but not the least, liposuction is not the method for weight loss.