With more than 400,000 procedures performed each year, liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic operations in the United States. The procedure involves breaking up excess fat deposits and removing them from the body using a hollow tool known as a cannula that is inserted beneath the skin. While the procedure is not intended to replace healthy diet and exercise, liposuction can be used to remove stubborn deposits of excess fat on nearly all areas of the body and face including the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, arms, and jawline. There are numerous types of liposuction. Patients and their doctors determine the best treatment option prior to the procedure.
Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction may be performed on an outpatient basis or inpatient basis depending upon the type of procedure and the amount of fat being removed. Many patients only require local anesthetic and are awake during the procedure. To remove excess fat, a cannula is inserted under the skin and attached to a suction device. The cannula is used to break up fatty deposits, and the suction device removes it from the body. Many modern procedures utilize ultrasound, lasers, and other methods to liquefy fat prior to suctioning it from the body rather than breaking it up using the cannula. These methods result in less trauma and reduced healing time. Another common procedure is tumescent liposuction. With this technique, doctors inject a solution of saline, anesthesia, and epinephrine into fatty deposits prior to surgery. This allows for easier fat removal, reduced blood loss, and relief from pain during and after surgery.
Recovery From Liposuction
In most cases, patients are able to return to work within a few days following a liposuction procedure, and full activities can be resumed within a few weeks. Some types of liposuction, however, require little to no downtime and patients are able to immediately resume their daily activities. The recovery time varies greatly depending upon the amount of fat removed, the type of procedure utilized, and the patient’s overall health prior to the procedure.
Liposuction is generally a safe procedure, but like all surgical procedures, there are some risks involved. Infection and skin discoloration are possible but rare. In the days following the procedure, most patients experience pain, redness, or swelling. These side effects are usually mild and clear up on their own within a few days. The likelihood of major complications can be reduced by avoiding excessive fat removal and extremely long procedures.
No related posts.