Liposuction - What Is It?

Liposuction has becoming increasingly popular over the last few years, mostly in part to newspapers, magazines and television. For some people, no matter how much they diet and exercise, certain people are equipped with fat cells that just will not shrink. That is where liposuction comes in. Liposuction is a procedure where small bulges are removed from the body. The most common areas that this type of plastic surgery is done on are the buttocks, face, thighs, tummy and hips.

In order to have this procedure done, you need to be qualified as a good candidate. There are some people that cannot have this procedure done. You should be a good candidate if you are at the correct weight that you are supposed to be or just a little above the recommended weight, tight skin and in good health. If you do not have good skin quality, then you are most likely not going to be a good candidate for this type of surgery. The reason for this is because if you do go ahead with the procedure, you may experience irregularities in the texture and pliability of your skin.

If you are thinking of having this procedure done, you will need to meet with a plastic surgeon beforehand. During this first consult, the surgeon will talk to you about what your options are. He will also go over with you what the cosmetic procedure entails, the risks associated with the surgery, the cost and what the overall outcome will be. Before having the procedure done, there are some things your surgeon will instruct you to do to prepare yourself. These regulations may include stopping smoking or drinking alcohol as well to stop taking certain vitamins. Be sure to let the doctor know of any medications you are taking including herbal supplements, vitamins, prescription and over the counter medications.

The procedure will most likely be done on an outpatient basis at a special area of the surgeon's office or at a medical center or hospital. If you are having a large amount of fat tissue removed, you will most likely have it done in a hospital and require an overnight stay. You will be given medications through your IV to help you relax and you will also be administered anesthesia, either generally or locally.

After the anesthesia has taken its correct effect, the procedure will be done with a vacuum like piece of equipment that is attached to a device that is made from stainless steel. The surgeon will make small incisions in your skin. The instrument is inserted into the incisions where a vacuum sucks out the fatty cells. Sometimes a large syringe is used instead of a vacuum device.

Recovery will take about a few days for an outpatient procedure and up to two weeks for an overnight stay procedure done. You will see some bruising around the area as well as swelling and the area may be tender to the touch. These symptoms should go away in a couple weeks, depending on how fast your body heals.