What You Should Know About Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most popular aesthetic plastic surgery procedures performed. That fact is not too surprising considering some fat deposits are quite resistant to diet and exercise. In women, the hips thighs and abdomen are stubborn. In men, the abdomen and lower back are commonly problematic. Liposuction is a safe and effective way to remove these unwanted fatty prominences.

There are so many different types of liposuction surgery available now; it can be confusing trying to determine what the best choice for you might be. Liposuction can be broken down in to two major types. Those that include the use of energy such as laser or ultrasound to remove the fat, and those that rely on the plastic surgeons own efforts to remove the fat.

Some surgeons are strong believers in avoiding the use of energy to remove fat. These modalities create heat in the tissues and in some studies have been shown to have increased complication rates, including burns and contour deformities. New research is supporting that it is important to leave healthy fat behind to assist in healing and to obtain better contouring. This newer data supports the decision to use the super-wet liposuction in many plastic surgeon's practices. This method utilizes fluid being placed into the fatty deposits with a small tube, and then the excess fat is suctioned away utilizing small tubes that are inserted and operated by the surgeon without the use of heat or ultrasound energy. The fluid that is instilled contains medications that decreases blood loss and provides anesthetic to the area for better post-operative comfort.

Many patients request the least down-time possible and consequently inquire about avoiding anesthesia. Performing these procedures under local anesthesia limits the amount of fat that can be removed and adequate comfort can be difficult to insure. Other patients inquire about the use of fat dissolving chemicals that can be injected while the patient is awake. These substances are not FDA approved, and no long term follow-up data on performance, efficacy or safety is available. Additionally, repeated treatments are required and the results that have been seen are frequently inadequate.