Liposuction, In Addition to Diet and Exercise, Can Help Keep Weight Off
Liposuction can remove localized fat deposits from almost any area of the body. Some surgeons use an "ultrasonic" technique, during which sound waves liquefy fat cells before liposuction begins. This allows the elimination of more tissue, especially in difficult to treat areas such as "love handles" and the upper abdomen. Ultrasound breaks up fibrous tissue in the fat, and gives smoother results than with other types of liposuction.
The best candidates for liposuction are people who are near their ideal weight and have firm, elastic skin with pockets of excess fat in certain areas. You should be physically healthy and realistic with your expectations. Individuals with certain medical conditions may not be suitable candidates for liposuction.
By injecting saline, anesthetic solution and epinephrine during liposuction ("tumescent" liposuction), bruising is minimized. Incisions for liposuction are small and easily hidden. The surgery itself will take between two to seven hours. Your surgeon will select the type of anesthesia that is most suitable and safe for your surgery. If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of areas are involved, liposuction can be performed under local or twilight anesthesia, which numbs only the affected areas. General anesthesia is a good choice for more extensive procedures. In such cases the anesthesiologist makes sure you are completely asleep during the procedure. Patients will return home the same day, and it will be seven days before they should return to work. They should also avoid exercise for ten days. A compression garment should be worn for up to three weeks, and post operative massage may help decrease swelling.
Frequently Asked Questions about Liposuction
Q: What is ultrasonic liposuction?
A: The ultrasonic technique uses a sound wave to liquefy fat prior to its removal.
Q: What are the advantages of ultrasonic liposuction?
A: Greater amounts of fat can be removed more easily, especially from fibrous areas of the body like the love handles or upper abdomen because the sound wave breaks up these fibrous areas prior to fat removal. The liquefied fat also results in a smoother result at the skin's surface.
Q: Does liposuction improve cellulite?
A: No. Liposuction removes fat, but it does not change skin quality.
Q: Do you get close to the internal organs during liposuction or tummy tucks?
A: No. Liposuction is done superficial to the abdominal muscles. During tummy tucks, I tighten the abdominal muscles by placing stitches on the surface of the abdominal muscles, but the abdomen is not entered.
Article Source: Daily Digest Magazine
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