Liposuction

Also Known As: "Lipoplasty" or "Suction Lipectomy"

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. During the past decade, liposuction, which is also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy," has benefited from several new refinements.

Today, a number of new techniques, including ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), the tumescent liposuction technique, and the super-wet technique, are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

What Areas Can Be Liposuctioned?

The most common areas for liposuction include the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and beneath the chin. Your body type is depends on your genes and the characteristics inherited from your parents. Some people have localized fat deposits that are very resistant to diet and exercise, because of their genes. In women, particularly, the lower abdomen, hips, buttocks, and outer thighs have these excess fat deposits. Even with considerable weight loss and exercise, these fat deposits may not go away.

Is Liposuction Safe?

In a well-monitored facility, liposuction is a very safe procedure. New techniques have minimized bleeding and local complications. An example is the tumescent technique, which allows for a safer surgery with areas that require more precision (the face and neck, etc.). You should have your procedure done in an accredited surgery center to ensure safe standards of anesthetic care. By using approaches oriented to your needs, liposuction can be a safe and rewarding experience with minimal discomfort.

Can The Fat Return?

Normally, weight gained is caused by an increase in the size of existing fat cells and not by producing new fat cells. Liposuction actually removes fat cells, and if the patient gains weight after liposuction, they usually gain weight over their entire body and not just in the specific areas, which were problematic prior to liposuction.