Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to remove fat from a specific area of the body such as hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and abdomen. It is also used to reshape the body i.e., Body Contouring.
Most of us take liposuction as one of the weight loss methods. However, it is not. Liposuction can help a person who has a stable body weight and want to get rid of fat accumulated in a specific area. Weight loss methods such as bariatric surgery procedures are used to treat obese people.
Who can undergo liposuction?
When diet and exercise fails, you can undergo liposuction to get rid of fat from a specific area of your body, such as:
- Buttocks
- Arms
- Calves and ankles
- Chest and back
- Neck
- Hips and thighs
- Abdomen
However, you should not undergo liposuction if you have conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
- Weak immune system
- Limited blood flow
These conditions can complicate the surgery.
How liposuction works?
When you gain weight, fat cells increase in size and volume and get accumulated in an area. During liposuction, surgeons use suction technique to reduce the number of fat cells. However, the amount of fat removed depends on the area and the volume of fat. The results of liposuction are generally permanent.
NOTE:
Skin dimpling and other skin surface irregularities cannot be improved with liposuction.
What are the risks and complications of liposuction?
Like any other surgery, liposuction also has some risks and complications. Few of them are:
- Fluid accumulation
A seroma is a collection of fluid that can form under the surface of your skin. It can develop due to liposuction. However, it can be drained out of the skin with a needle.
- Numbness
Permanent or temporary numbness can occur in the affected area.
- Infection
Liposuction can cause life-threatening skin infections.
- Internal puncture
Sometimes, the cannula – one of the suction techniques used in liposuction – can get penetrated too deeply in the skin. This can puncture an internal organ.
- Contour irregularities
The skin can become bumpy, withered or wavy due to uneven fat removal, poor healing and poor skin elasticity.
- Kidney and heart problems
Shift in fluid levels due to suction can cause life-threatening heart and kidney problems.
Before undergoing liposuction, talk to your doctor about all possible complications of the surgical procedure.
