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What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure also known as lipoplasty, liposculpture, suction-assisted body contouring, suction lipectomy, and lipo suction. Basically, it involves the use of an instrument known as a cannula and a vacuum pump machine to remove unwanted fat from a specific area. The cannula is connected to the pump by a tube and is inserted into the areas of fat to be removed through small incisions. The surgeon then moves the cannula tip back and forth to break up the fat, which is then sucked out through the tube.

Liposuction surgery can remove pockets of fat on the abdomen, the flanks, the hip area, the buttocks, the inner and outer thighs, above the knees, in the upper arms, under the chin and neck, and anywhere else stubborn pockets of fat exist.

There are several techniques currently used for liposuction, including dry, tumescent, super-wet, internal and external ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), and power-assisted liposuction (PAL). There are also newer and experimental procedures which may or may not require aspiration such as laser liposuction, laser lipolisis (or Laserlipolisis), chemical fat removal, lower level ultrasonic-assisted fat ablation, and others. Fat removal is big business and new methods to remove it will always be greeted with open arms. However, methods of performing liposuction come and frequently go if they are found not to work well or when better methods come along

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction Surgery?

First and foremost, you must be in good health. You should not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions.

You also have to have realistic expectations of the outcome of liposuction. Communication is crucial here. You have to clearly understand what your desired results are and be able to give this information to your surgeon. Discuss your goals with your surgeon so that you both can reach an understanding about what can realistically be achieved.

You should be at a steady weight and within about 20% of your ideal body weight, although some surgeons say you can be anywhere from 15 to 30% of ideal weight. Liposuction is not a way to lose weight. Except for rare instances, it is for people who are close to their ideal body weight and who have areas of fat that resist diet and exercising.

You skin plays a role in whether you are a good candidate. You should have healthy skin with good elasticity, so that your skin is able to bounce back to its former tightness once the fat is removed. If you are having liposuction over a larger area, excess skin removal may also be necessary. If you have excessive stretch marks in areas where you gained weight or over your abdomen if you were pregnant, this may be a good indication of poor elasticity.

You need to be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo any cosmetic procedure including liposuction. No surgeon should agree to work on a mentally or emotionally unstable person. Surgery can trigger a deeper depression or other mental health problem during the healing process.

Liposuction is not getting a cavity filled or your hair cut. This is a surgical operation that requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period during plastic surgery recovery. Depression can happen after liposuction even with emotionally healthy patients, so if you do have a history of depression I strongly recommend that you get the approval of your physician before undergoing a procedure. Also, make sure that both your surgeon and who ever administers anesthesia know what antidepressant or antianxiety drugs you have taken, if any. Some of these drugs can be dangerous if your anesthesiologist does not know about them in advance.

Indications for Liposuction

Even with a good diet and regular exercise, persistent fat pockets still exist for many of us. And we aren't "lazy" either: we do crunches and use that awful stair climber several times a week. We restrict calories and still have saddlebags and belly fat. You hate it, I hate it, we all hate those pockets of fat! But it can be removed reasonably easily with liposuction!

Liposuction can also remove pockets of fat or other tissue that are caused by medical conditions or medications. The "buffalo hump" caused by anti-HIV drugs can be removed with liposuction.

Contraindications for Liposuction Surgery

If any of the following pertain to you, you may not be good candidate for liposuction.

• Having been on Accutane for 6 months prior to the procedure. (Accutane can increase your chances of keloid-like scarring)

• Collagen/scarring/connective tissue disorders

• Significant stretch marks

• Blood clotting disorders

• Lupus erythematosus

• Diabetes

• Heart or lung disease

• Vascular problems (including common circulation problems)

• Endocrine disorders

• Hypertension

• Depression

• Other active diseases may affect outcome or increase risks

• Morbid obesity

• Wound healing disorders

• Smoking

• Recreational drug use or excessive drinking

• Pregnancy