Liposuction or lipoplasty is a surgical procedure for excess fat removal from various parts of the body. It aims to remove fat deposits from the body which you are unable to get rid of through diet and physical workout. Researches claim that liposuction procedure is drastically on the rise over the past five years. According to recent statistics, around 18 million people opted for this minimally invasive surgical procedure Around 258,558 liposuction cases were handled in 2018. American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS) reported liposuction among the top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures.
All you need to know about Liposuction
Liposuction or lipo procedure aims to change and enhance the contour of the body. The fat cells removed permanently and the overall body fat remains the same as it was before treatment. When an individual gains weight, each fat cell increases in size and volume. Liposuction reduces the number of fat cells in isolated areas. The dermatologic surgeon performs this procedure usually on hips, buttocks, back, belly, thighs, arms or face. This cosmetic procedure is mainly done to reshape the body for a better appearance.
Before the surgery, you may need to get some lab tests done. Your doctor may ask you to get your medical history and perform some physical examinations to check if your body is fit for the surgery. A form needs to be signed to get your consent in writing for possible risks and benefits associated with the procedure. There are some do’s and don’t you need to follow to get ready for the surgery:
In the case of epidural treatment for the lower body, anesthesia is injected around the spine causing partial numbness in the abdomen and legs. Local anesthesia for treatment of small areas.
After evaluating certain factors, your doctor will adopt either of the following techniques for liposuction:
After the liposuction surgery, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and painkillers to relieve pain and inflammation. Significant bruising in the targeted area is fitted with support corsets or bandages.
As in every surgery, the major concern is the loss of blood as well as the risk of infection. The risks involved in the procedure are usually linked with the complexity of the surgery. Here are some possible risks and complications involved in the surgery:
You might have come across some of the pre and post-procedure advertisements that show an obese person turned into a beach body. But, this is not reality. Liposuction only removes subcutaneous fat and not visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is the fat deposited below the epidermis layer of the skin. On the other hand, visceral fat is present inside the abdominal cavity and causes serious health conditions such as heart problems, blood pressure, obesity, etc.
Though, liposuction is not a comprehensive weight-loss method but, can permanently remove fat cells, therefore, giving a proper shape to the body. The amount of fat that can be removed without any risk is limited. People who opt for liposuction usually have a stable weight and wish to eliminate extra fat from certain parts of the body. The surgery may also prevent further weight gain. The results of the surgery are usually long-lasting with improved appearance.
It is a fact that all cosmetic surgeries involve a certain amount of risk. So, it is recommended that one should try to reduce weight with a controlled diet and exercise to remain healthy. Besides, liposuction is surely not for those individuals who are overweight or obese. However, a good candidate for liposuction is the one who is:
There are certain risks involved in the liposuction procedure both during and after the surgery. The risks involved during the procedure include:
In some cases, a liposuction patient may face certain problems immediately after the surgery such as:
The risks during the recovery period after the surgery include:
After liposuction surgery, swelling in and around the treated area usually subsides within a few weeks and the site appears less bulky. Depending on the type of surgery, the period of your stay in the hospital is decided. However, bruising, swelling, and soreness of the treatment site may last for at least a few weeks.
Your surgeon may ask you to wear a compression garment for one or two months after surgery to control swelling. You'll probably also have to take some antibiotics to prevent infection. Most people can return to work within a few days and get back to normal activities within two to three weeks in general.
The results of the surgery are generally long-lasting provided the person maintains his or her weight. Those who gain weight after the procedure may find variation in fat distribution. It usually takes about two to three weeks to make a full recovery but the overall noticeable results might take up to six months.
The results of the liposuction procedure may not be observed immediately. It usually takes one to three months for the results to be noticeable. The procedure is quite effective and successfully removes the fat from areas like thighs, belly, arms, chin, etc. However, this procedure cannot improve the appearance of loose skin.
Liposuction surgery does lead to scarring. This is because small incisions have to be made to extract fat from the target body area. However, the scars are very small, certainly, a few millimeters in size. Also, the scars are created at discrete locations. These scars tend to fade away with time and gradually disappear. One can take certain medications to remove the visibility of scars. Also, irritation may occur around the incision site. There may occur baggy or rippling skin as temporary side effects of the surgery. So, it is advisable to avoid rubbing the incision area.
Another unfavorable outcome of liposuction is bruising and ecchymosis. This happens immediately after the procedure and may increase to seven to ten days. Bruising generally goes away by two to four weeks post-surgery. In rare cases, bleeding may occur from superficial veins damaged due to the surgery.