Weight Loss and Liposuction: What You Need to Know

Main Category: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 30 Jan 2005 - 9:00 PDT

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Plastic surgery has been featured in the mainstream media more than ever before, increasing awareness among women -- and men -- in every generation of the techniques and procedures that can make them look good at any age.

Although liposuction is one of the most popular procedures, there are still some facts that a prospective patient should clearly understand.

The first and most important thing is to make sure your physician is a board certified plastic surgeon. Research your physician's credentials by checking on the doctor's own website or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website to see if the physician you are planning to see is a board certified plastic surgeon and a member of the ASPS. This will ensure that you have a surgeon who has been trained in total body plastic surgical procedures.

During your consultation with the physician, you should feel very comfortable with the surgeon before entering into any surgical contract with him or her. If you have any misgivings during the consultation, seek another opinion and another surgeon.

Liposuction is not a surgical technique to lose weight, rather it is designed to improve body contour. In almost all cases the procedure is done in a conservative manner, taking what would be judged as a small volume or a modest amount of weight. The best candidate for liposuction is someone with fatty deposits or trouble areas that have not been eliminated with diet and exercise. It is best to be within five to 10 pounds of your ideal/stable body weight and not fluctuate up or down more than this range.

Cellulite is a skin condition that isn't usually changed or improved, but liposuction affords a contour reduction that improves aesthetic lines wherever treatment has taken place.

Large volume liposuction, on the other hand, is usually defined as taking amounts over 5,000 cc and is most often done with a brief overnight hospital stay. Procedures are most often done under general anesthetic but also can be performed under local anesthesia and sedation depending on the amounts and locations of the surgery. Most commonly, the abdomen, hips, buttock region, and upper thigh areas are treated. Areas of the knees, arms, chin, and back are somewhat less common areas of fat removal.

Technically, liposuction is currently performed by using small or micro cannulas, which is used to mechanically break up the fat as it is suctioned.

The cannulas allows the highest degree of contour and maintain smooth surfaces free of irregularities.

The most common forms of liposuction today are referred to either as tumescent or wet techniques. These names simply relate to the amount of fluid that is placed in the area of liposuction prior to the removal of fat. The fluid contains certain chemicals that help reduce bruising, bleeding, and trauma to the underlying tissues and promotes a more rapid healing.

A number of years ago ultrasonic liposuction became popular. Unfortunately this "newer" technique failed to measure up and actually provided for more complications rather than less.

Post-operative care always includes compression to the area of surgery, which is almost always applied in the form of stretch garments worn for three to six weeks, as well as physician follow-up. As with most cosmetic procedures, exercise is not recommended in the first three weeks following surgery.

Today many patients are able to find information through various sources, such as the Internet, magazine articles, or television. While this research is certainly helpful, it does not replace talking with the surgeon. Educating patients about expectations, results and risks is best done by a surgeon one to one who understands your specific situation and needs.

Written by Gene E. Ireland, D.D.S., M.D., issued by The Plastic Surgery Group:

With offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Crestview Hills, Ky., The Plastic Surgery Group is one of the largest non-academic cosmetic surgery practices in the nation. The physicians work with patients to provide world class plastic surgery procedures including liposuction, tummy tucks, skin care, hair removal, face lifts and breast enhancement, allowing patients to look great at every age. More information can be accessed at theplasticsurgerygroup.com .

The Plastic Surgery Group
http://www.theplasticsurgerygroup.com