Liposuction - A Popular Plastic Surgery Procedure

May 14
08:36

2010

Dr. TK Smaili

Dr. TK Smaili

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Liposuction is one of the most popular procedures in plastic surgery. Plastic Surgeons recommend the liposuction for those who are only modestly overweight.

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In a 2008 survey conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,Liposuction - A Popular Plastic Surgery Procedure Articles liposuction was the second most popular plastic surgery in the country that Americans have spent nearly $1 billion for this cosmetic procedure. And the fact that more than 65 percent of adults in the US are overweight, experts from the plastic surgery industry believe that liposuction will still remain one of the most performed plastic surgeries for the next several years.

In plastic surgery, the cost of liposuction ranges from $2,800 to $3,000 per session and usually lasts between 45 minutes to two hours.

Meanwhile, the best candidates for liposuction are those who are physically fit; not more 20 lbs. overweight; have an active and healthy lifestyle; and have exercise-resistant fat deposits in their abdomen, neck, arms, and legs, according to experts in plastic surgery.

Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not designed for weight loss for extremely overweight and obese individuals because the procedure can only remove the fat deposits under the skin but not the fats that cover the internal organs. Because of such limitation, doctors of liposuction usually advise patients to lose weight first by exercising and proper dieting before they undergo a liposuction. However, if the patients are not able to reduce their weight by changing their lifestyle and eating habit, gastric bypass may be their only last resort. (While there are several risks associated with this procedure, its benefits still far outweigh the health risks associated with being obese.)

There are also some misconceptions about liposuction, including a belief that it can serve as a substitute for exercise and proper diet. And with these “unrealistic” and “unattainable” expectations, some patients became even more frustrated with their body. Remember that liposuction is designed to enhance a person's body shape—but not to the extent that he or she will automatically have a body that can compete in a bikini contest.

Meanwhile, many liposuction patients are also required to undergo certain procedures such as tummy tuck to remove the unsightly, loose skin (exercise alone will not improve the appearance of loose skin that is why this additional procedure is highly required). Also, some plastic surgeons have noticed that a significant number of patients who underwent liposuction also took breast augmentation to further improve their physical appearance. However, the best follow-up procedures for liposuction are still exercise and a healthy diet.