Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic procedures at the moment, and for a very good reason: it is fast, efficient, cost-effective and the results will be visible right away. In a nutshell, during the liposuction procedure the plastic surgeon will insert a cannula, which is a small and thin tube, right under the skin to suck all the fat out – the main benefit is that this allows the doctor to target very specific fat deposits.
There are many different types of liposuction available: one can opt for the classic liposuction, which involves a local anesthetic to numb the area where the cannula will be inserted, or for the ultrasound liposuction which is a relatively new procedure used to turn fat into liquid, thus making it easier to remove. Liposuction generally targets several different parts of the body, from the arms to the sides, the upper abdomen, buttocks and basically any other area where there is a bothersome fat deposit.
A Closer Look At The Treatment
Liposuction is a low-risk procedure and the patient is usually allowed to go home several hours following the procedure: despite the fact that classic liposuction involves local anesthesia, when removing larger amounts of fat the patient may need to go under deep sedation or general anesthesia.
After the treatment, the patient will feel some pain and will notice bruising and swelling – the doctor will instruct him on the post-operative medical care procedures, and will give you a compression garment to wear around the body part that was treated. It often happens that doctors prescribe powerful antibiotics following the surgery, to minimize the risk of infection.
Nowadays, patients choose liposuction for a number of different reasons: although this is not a way to lose body weight, it is a way to get rid of unnecessary fat on the face, neck, back, legs, arms and such. It is not uncommon for the liposuction procedure to be used in conjunction with additional procedures, like a facelift or a tummy tuck, the latter being very popular after removing a great deal of fat from the abdominal area.
The benefits of liposuction are many: this treatment is extremely efficient for removing fat deposits located in very small area, although all the fat will come back if you regain weight right after the procedure. The patient will see notable improvements right away, although it may take several weeks or even months for all the swelling to go away.
Just like any other cosmetic procedure, liposuction does have some risks and benefits: the higher the area that is about to be treated, the higher the risk. Some of the common side effects of liposuction include swelling, bruising, numbness, irritation, baggy skin and small scars around the area where the cannulas were inserted in order to remove the fat. On the other hand, there are some serious side effects involved as well, such as damage to the nerves and skin, uneven skin surface and a wide array of other dangerous complications.