Liposuction

One of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures, liposuction offers patients a means of losing stubborn fat deposits that are seemingly immune to diet and exercise. Liposuction is also used to contour the body by permanently removing fat deposits that may bulge through clothing.

In some patients, the overall proportions of the body may appear to be unbalanced due to pockets of fat. Or, the abdomen may protrude. In such cases, liposuction may successfully remove excess fat, resulting in a more slender, flatter, and balanced body shape.

Benefits of Liposuction:

Aside from the visual pleasure of removing unwanted fat, most liposuction patients find that their clothes fit better after healing. Moreover, a trimmer, firmer body may provide a psychological lift. Some patients find that shedding extra fat results in making physical exercise easier, thus providing more incentive to exercise regularly and enhance one's fitness level.

Common Questions about Liposuction

How is Liposuction Performed?

Before starting the liposuction procedure, the surgeon identifies and marks the specific areas where the fat deposits are to be removed. In most cases, it is not necessary to use general anesthesia. Instead, a sedative -- which allows the patient to remain awake -- is used along with local anesthesia that numbs the treatment area.
To start, the cosmetic surgeon makes small incisions about half the size of a dime.
The surgeon then injects a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and other medications. This solution makes fat deposits easier to break up and remove. The injection of the fluids also helps minimize trauma to the surrounding tissue in the treatment area by helping reduce swelling and post-operative pain. Additionally, the solutions help decrease bleeding.