Medical Sculpturing - Liposuction

Liposuction is defined as the removal of fat from deposits beneath the skin using a hollow stainless steel tube (called a cannula) with the assistance of a powerful vacuum. Liposuction can be accomplished either with the use of general anesthesia, or with heavy IV sedation, or totally by local anesthesia. This web site considers both the benefits and the potential dangers of local anesthesia and of systemic anesthesia.

ABOUT FAT

Body fat of an adult tends to increase gradually over the years. After the age of 30, an individual tends to add fat according to a genetically predetermined pattern. This fat distribution is often resistant to exercise and diet. An example of genetically predetermined fat distribution which is resistant to diet and exercise is the fat that appears on the abdomen and hips of a woman after pregnancy. For many people who have inherited excessive accumulations of fat, liposuction is the only realistic means of significantly changing the body’s silhouette. In effect, liposuction is equivalent to being able to focus the effects of dieting to specific areas of the body.

Liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a specialized suction pump and inserted through tiny skin incisions. The removal of fat is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse resulting in a approved body contour. The most frequently treated areas in women are the abdomen, hips, thighs, and kness. In men, who comprise of about 25-30% of patients, the most commonly treated areas include the love handless, abdomen, and breasts.

AREA THE RESULTS OF LIPOSUCTION PERMANENT?

Fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. As long as the patient does not gain excessive amount of weight, the new, more pleasing silhouette is permanent. A women who always tends to put weight on her thighs and knees, will find that after liposuction, these areas are less likely than other areas to accumulate fat when she gains weight. The areas originally treated by liposuction generally maintain their new desirable silhouette. Whereas areas not treated by liposuction are the sights of new deposits of fat.