LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction
Liposuction is a relatively new procedure. When it was first introduced in1972 by a German plastic surgeon, it was taken up with great enthusiasm toremove enormous amounts of fat from obese people. This led to manyserious complications, even death. The problems were widely publicised andgave liposuction a very bad reputation.

Since then liposuction has been mainly used for the correction of specificbody contour problems, for example, for people who are not obese but havefat deposits on the thighs which are difficult to lose by dieting and exercisealone. Liposuction is not a weight-reducing procedure. It has become safeand effective. Also it can be performed in a doctor's office.

The best way to determine whether you would benefit from liposuction is todo the 'pinch test'. If you can comfortably pick up a fold of skin which isseparate from the underlying muscle, liposuction may give you the desireeffect of removing the excess fat you feel between your fingers.

Such fat collections occur most commonly in women on the side of thethighs, above the knees and somethings around the ankles. In these areasthe overlying skin is fairly thick and the initial slackness after liposuction willtone up well. Generally the younger you are, the quicker the skin returns tonormal. In places where the skin is thin, like beneath the chin, the upperarm, breast, abdomen, or inner thighs, the skin will become quiet slack afterfat removal and will tone up more slowly. This is especially true in olderpeople. In these cases, liposuction has to be combined with surgical removalof the excess skin, which can leave visible scars. The face and breast aredifferent, as removal of excess skin is usually combined with a face-lift orbreast reduction. The incisions can be hidden under the chin or the breastsgiving excellent results.
Cellulite may not be helped by liposuction. Cellulite refers to the puckeredappearance of the skin in some areas of fat deposition such as the thighs.Liposuction helps more by removing some of the fact and breaking up someof the strands in between, but not the removal ofcellulite.
Liposuction

How Liposuction is Performed
Liposuction can be performed under either local or general anesthetic.depending on the amount of fat to be removed. Liposuction is a fairlypainful procedure. Most doctors will give you antibiotic tablets to take as aprecaution to prevent infection.
When the procedure is performed an anesthetic and sterile fluid is injectedinto the area. When the area is numb, a tiny cut is made in the skin. A long,thin hollow tube, which is connect to a pump, is inserted. When the pump isactivated, fat is removed. Afterwards a pressure dressing is applied.

Side Effects & Complications
Bruising and discomfort can be expected during the first few weeks aftersurgery. Less commonly, discomfort maybe experienced for several months.Avoiding strenuous exercise and wearing support garments will help toreduce the pain that is experienced.
A study of 10,000 cases of liposuction showed only 3% of minorcomplications such as irregularity, local bleeding and prolonged swelling, andonly 0.5% showed more serious complications, which included blood loss,infection, damage to underlying organs and clots.
'Liposuction will not remove cellulite'