Liposuction ABCs

Abdomen: Perhaps one of the most common areas for liposuction, the abdomen is a popular place for men and women to store a little extra fat. Surgeons are able to make small incisions in the abdominal wall and remove that excess fat tissue. Once the skin is tightened over the muscle layer, the midsection looks more trim and defined. Many patients are finally able to obtain the elusive six-pack that everyone dreams of.

Buttocks: This is another area that is popular for liposuction surgery. Many women carry their excess fat tissue around their hips and buttocks. This elective cosmetic surgery can tighten and lift saggy buttock shapes and make them more appealing in anything from a new pair of jeans to a skimpy bikini. Surgeons always attempt to use the smallest incisions possible so that the telltale scar lines are minimal and hidden.

Cosmetic surgery: Cosmetic surgery is a branch of elective plastic surgery techniques and procedures that are designed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of a person’s body or face. There are a wide variety of procedures available from the top of your forehead to the tip of your toes. Virtually any area of the body is a candidate for liposuction surgery, but the most common areas are the midsection, buttocks and thighs.

Downtime: Due to significant advances in surgical techniques and technology, the downtime after liposuction surgery is fairly brief. You should expect to be off work for a few days to weeks and will probably be wearing compression garments during that time. Enlist the help of a family member or friend during your first few days after surgery so that they can help you avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Enjoy the time on the couch. You earned it!

Exercise: It is important to keep in mind that this type of surgery is not intended to be a replacement for exercise or healthy diet choices. Keep your new figure in good shape by spending time at the gym and being careful about what you eat. While the results of liposuction are relatively permanent, all of that money and operating time can be undone if you eat too much and don’t exercise. The body is still capable of making fat stores to replace the ones that were so easily removed. Keep this in mind when planning for this surgery and determining whether or not it is right for you.

Fat: Lipid is the scientific word for fat. In turn, it makes sense that liposuction literally means “to suck fat”. A series of scopes and vacuums are used in this surgery to assist the physician in removing fat tissue without making large or long incisions. The fat is broken up by ultrasound waves and sucked through a tube. The surgeon often replaces removed fat tissue with saline in order to prevent the body from entering a state of shock due to all of the lost tissue. This is common in more extensive procedures that remove a lot of tissue at one time.