Female body with the drawing arrows on it isolated on white. Fat lose, liposuction and cellulite removal concept. Plastic surgery

Guide to Liposuction

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is the removal of unwanted fat by means of cosmetic surgery. Liposuction can be performed on many areas of the body, and is used not only as a means of eliminating excess fat, but also as a way to improve the contours or shape of the body. The procedure is quite simple and does not take very long to perform. An incision, or sometimes multiple incisions, are made in the skin at the area to be improved, and a tube, referred to as a cannula, is inserted below the skin and used to prepare the fat for suction. The fat is removed and the body is sculpted into the desired look. Liposuction utilizes local anesthetics and can take less than an hour, or several hours, depending on the nature of the procedure. Liposuction has long been one of the most popular plastic surgery operations in the United States, and it continues to grow in popularity each year, with hundreds of thousands of procedures performed.

Who chooses to have liposuction?

There are many different reasons why individuals choose liposuction. Two of the most common reasons are to enhance or sculpt a target area on the body, and to eliminate problem areas that remain even after a regiment of diet and exercise. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, it is the removal of fat from a problem area, and is ideal for individuals at or near their target weight. The best candidates for the liposuction procedure are not trying to lose weight, they are trying to shape their bodies in a more flattering way. It is recommended that potential candidates for the procedure are non-smokers who maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Both men and woman have found liposuction to be an effective choice for them. Some of the most common areas of the body for liposuction are the outer thighs, buttocks, hips, breasts, arms, neck, chin and abdomen.

Are there different types of liposuction?

Liposuction is not a one size fits all procedure. There are different options and it is important that you research which type of liposuction would be the best fit for you. A few of the most common procedures are laser-assisted liposuction, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, and tumescent liposuction. All of these utilize different forms of technology to achieve the same desired goal. Some surgeons may prefer a technique that you had not yet considered, so the more information you have, the better. Just as important as researching how liposuction works is to find a doctor or a clinic that you trust. The goal is to make an informed decision on whether or not the liposuction procedure is right for you, and who you feel comfortable with performing the surgery. There are plenty of resources out there to help you learn more if you are looking for the best liposuction.