Does Liposuction Work?

We all crave for a perfectly shaped body. But arms, thighs, abdomen seem to be the favorite places of the body for depositing fat. Though there is no magic pill for removal of fat, there exists a kind of cosmetic surgery which can be performed to remove fat from different parts of the body. The surgical procedure used to remove fat from different parts of the body, such as hips, flanks, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, backs of the arms, chin, etc. is known as liposuction. Doctors remove excess fat from your body during the surgery and thus offer a more streamlined shape to your body.

How Does Liposuction Work

Neck, stomach, arms, thighs and buttocks are the popular places of liposuction. You must have heard about some celebrities, how they opt for liposuction in order to look super skinny. With the help of strict diet and exercise programs, anyone can get rid of excess fat. But people love shortcuts! For those who want instant effects and for those who find it impossible to follow a diet and exercise routine, liposuction is a good option. But after the surgery, they need to follow a balanced diet and exercise regimen in order to avoid fat deposition in the body. Then only, the effects of the surgery would last longer.

Fat is generally located underneath the skin. Gender, age, genetic factors, physical activity, diet play an important role in determining the place of fat deposition. During a liposuction procedure, a very small incision is made at the targeted area and a hollow tube (known as cannula) is inserted into the deep fat layer of the skin. Movement of the cannula breaks up fat cells. A suction device (known as aspirator) is used to remove the fat out of the body with suction. The fat is drawn through the tube. Stomach liposuction which is often accompanied by tummy tuck, is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery and the entire process is done so carefully that no muscle, nerve or skin part gets affected.

Remember, liposuction is never used to treat obesity. Usually, less than 10 lbs. of fat is removed surgically. The surgery is recommended for healthy patients in good shape. When weight-loss methods do not help get rid of excess fat, then only surgery is recommended. Removal of too much fat at once can lead to serious health hazards. You cannot ignore the side effects of liposuction.

Does Liposuction Work for Cellulite

The 'bumpy' fat deposits beneath the skin leading to skin dimpling and nodularity, are referred to as cellulite. Cellulite is mainly found in women on pelvic region, abdomen, lower limbs, etc. Liposuction does not help improve the appearance of cellulite. Hence, it is not recommended for cellulite removal or treatment. Moreover, liposuction can make the appearance of cellulite worse. There are evidences which show that the surgery can even "cause" cellulite in patients who did not have it prior to the surgery.

Does Laser Liposuction Work

During laser-assisted liposuction, low-level laser energy waves are focused on the selected part of the body. The waves pass through the skin, reach the fat cells underneath the skin and break the membrane of these fat cells. The fat oozes out of the cells as a result of this procedure. Doctors then make a very small incision and insert the cannula, through which fat is sucked in a similar manner as in conventional liposuction. Use of laser technology requires comparatively smaller incision. Patients experience less pain, swelling and bruising. So, the recovery period is also shorter than the recovery period of conventional method. No pain medication is required after laser-assisted liposuction. Within a few days, patients can return to normal activities.

Statistics show that about 500,000 liposuction surgeries are performed in the United States each year. The procedure is quite expensive and the complications after the surgery often outweigh the benefits. For example, surgical removal of fat often results in lumpy skin. Swelling, bruising and scars can affect the looks. In a few cases, side effects like fluid imbalance, skin damage or damage to an internal organ are also noticed. Such serious side effects can lead to blood clotting and in rare cases can even prove to be fatal. You should discuss all the aspects of liposuction procedure with the doctor before undergoing the surgery.