Liposuction - The Bare Facts

Across the country, people are getting liposuction as a way to take care of fatty areas that don’t seem to go away with diet and exercise. This is probably one of the most misunderstood aspects of the procedure. It is not designed for people who are obese and looking for a way to lose weight. It is not a short cut to a healthy weight. It is designed for those who have already lost weight or are satisfied with their overall appearance, except in one or two areas. This is where the procedure can help. It can give you that last running jump, rounding out the equation and giving you the body you’ve always wanted.

Not everyone is a candidate for liposuction. Who is a good candidate? This will vary from doctor to doctor, but generally speaking, the ideal candidate should be very close to their ideal weight, within a 30% range or so. If they have elastic skin that will be better suited to snap back into place following the surgery, this is even better (though relatively rare after a certain age). Sometimes the procedure is followed by some skin trimming to take away the loose, flappy look that sometimes follows. Candidates should be in good overall health, both physically and mentally. They should be equipped with information and have a realistic expectation for their results. 

It’s important to note that having liposuction means being administered with anesthesia. The doctor will have to choose whether to perform the surgery with general or local anesthesia. Obviously, if you have any known allergies to this medication, you will not be able to have the procedure done. Typically, the doctor will use either twilight anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the method of surgery. If the surgery is going to be very extensive, they may choose to go with general anesthesia, which puts the patient out completely and is the most risky of the medications. 

As with any major surgery, liposuction isn’t something you just walk in off the street and have done. There is a great deal of preparation for both the patient and the doctor. The surgeon will look over your medical history and give you a complete physical exam prior to the procedure. With this exam, he will be looking at your weight, your skin and its elasticity, your muscle tone, and where your fat is located. It is during this time that you should disclose any allergies you might have and any surgeries or health complications you’ve had. Don’t assume anything is too small or insignificant to mention. After this, the doctor will give you some instructions regarding foods to eat, the intake of alcohol, and other directives to help you prepare for surgery.