Raphael Macharia

Liposuction Guide The need to remain healthy and have the right weight and fat content has become the goal of every individual nowadays. In spite of the need and desire to remain healthy with the body shapes and weight that everybody admires, many people find themselves with unpleasant and disturbing accumulation of fat. Most of the foods that many people take are to blame for the body figures and the amount of fat that they have. Often, different people try different methods to get rid of the fat, such as dieting and exercising. While it is important to reduce fat intake, carry out vigorous exercise to maintain one’s dream body shape and wait, many people prefer medical alternatives. One of such options is to the liposuction surgery. Often, when an individual exercises, there are some bulges of fat that are left because they are hard to remove by exercising or even being on diet. Liposuction thus is a medical procedure that removes such fat bulges for purposes of improving one’s body shape. Usually, lipo is carried out on the face, buttocks, thighs, abdomen and the hips. However, it is important to note that liposuction is not a medical procedure for the removal of cellulite; it entirely works to remove small accumulation of fat in the human body. This article provides an in-depth analysis of liposuction including its history, how it works, different types of liposuction procedure, as well as a few things that you need to know before making the final decision to have a liposuction surgery. History of Liposuction Liposuction has its roots in the concept of fat removal and body contouring that was introduced by Charles Dujarier, a French Surgeon in 1920s. Even though the idea of body contouring faded following an unsuccessful procedure on a model, it was reignited much later in 1974 based on the blunt modeling technique developed by Doctors Giorgio Fischer and Arpad. Liposuction thus, evolved from the blunt tunneling technique. In 1982, the popularity of liposuction increased after the introduction of “Illouz Method” that was used to demonstrate how fat cells in the human body could be removed successfully. As technology advanced, the application of ultrasound in the liquefaction of fat was considered significant for easy removal of the fat. For the past years, improvement in technology has led to more insights and developments to improve the liposuction technique with the aim of easy removal of fat with low blood loss, and less pain. Types of Liposuction Procedures There are several types of liposuction procedures available nowadays that you can choose from. The availability of different types of liposuction procedures is attributable to the fact that technology is changing everyday bringing in different development to the existing procedures. In spite of the fact that each manufacturer and developer of each procedure would insist on superiority of their procedure, it is always the responsibility of the surgeon to decide which procedure suits a particular liposuction need. Outlined below are some of the available types of liposuction procedures. Tumescent Liposuction Just as the name suggests, the tumescent liposuction procedure works through the use of a solution of tumescent anesthetic injection. Often, the surgeon injects the area to be treated with the solution to reduce the degree of discomfort and bleeding to be expected in the course of the procedure. In addition, the solution used is aimed at ensuring that the procedure is easy and fast and that the patient incurs little pain in the course of the procedure and after the fat is removed. Tumescent liposuction is also possible with local anesthesia though the choice of anesthesia might depend on the patient. Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction The ultrasound assisted liposuction procedure makes the use of ultrasound energy in the breaking up of fatty tissues in the patient’s body, for purposes of loosening them off the body. The application of ultrasound energy in fat removal makes the process quite east and fast, with high expectation of large amounts of fats to be removed. The ultrasound energy used in this case liquefies the fat for easy removal. Laser Assisted Liposuction Just like the ultrasound assisted liposuction that makes use of ultrasound energy, the laser assisted liposuction uses laser energy to dislodge fat cells that are on the patient’s body. Often, the laser assisted liposuction is available under different brand names such as Slimlipo and SmartLipo. Suction Assisted Liposuction The advancement in liposuction technology has introduced the use of vacuum like device in the removal of bulges of fat on different parts of the human body. The suction assisted liposuction uses the same technology as the Power Assisted Liposuction whereby a tool is used to initiate the motion of cannula into the fat removal. How Liposuction Works Before deciding on having a liposuction surgery done on you, it is important to understand how the procedure works. This will help you decide whether or not you will go for it. Often, liposuction is a medical procedure that is carried on outpatient basis. Local anesthesia or even intravenous sedation can be used during the procedure though the choice of anesthesia to use depends on the procedure adopted. Once the anesthesia is used, the surgeon makes incisions on your body next to the area being treated after which he or she inserts a thin tube through the incisions. This is done to ensure that the fat underneath the skin is loose for suction. The liposuction procedure is not complicated and thus can only last between 1 and 3 hours though it might depend on the areas under treatment. Things to Know about Liposuction Often, there are several things and factors to consider before having liposuction surgery. First, you need to know whether or not you are ideal for the procedure. One of the major considerations in this case is your current weight. Experts always insist that people who are below average or even those with weight slightly below average should not consider having a liposuction. Secondly, the ideal candidate should have an elastic and firm skin. Such a skin is significant in that it allows for easy and successful procedure. In addition, individuals considering liposuction should be overly healthy. Lastly, for one to qualify for a liposuction surgery they should have fat that is unresponsive to exercise and diet. It is advisable for people with cellulite to avoid liposuction because the procedure can lead to development of skin irregularities especially around the affected area. It is recommended that you visit your surgeon for necessary consultations before deciding on the surgery. Such consultations are helpful because you get the opportunity to discuss the options available, benefits of different options, the costs, as well as the risks associated with each of the procedure. This will prepare you beforehand. After settling on a liposuction surgery, there are dietary requirements that you ought to observe in preparation for the surgery. For example, you may be advised on avoiding alcohol and/or even taking particular vitamins. Liposuction Results and Associated Risk Many people are often worried about what to expect after a liposuction procedure. If the surgery is carried out as expected, the procedure has 100 per cent success rate. Thus, any fat cells are permanently removed implying that any more gain of weight will have no effect on the treated area. Of importance is the fact that liposuction procedure is not a remedy for weight gain. It is important to work hard towards maintaining the new weight as well as shape after undergoing a liposuction procedure. This includes being strict with particular exercise plan and sticking to the right diet. Surgeries are highly risky. In spite of this, statistics of liposuction surgery have shown that there is minimal risk in the procedure if a specialist is involved. In some of the rare cases, patients after surgery can experience discoloration of their skin and uneven skin contours especially on the treated parts. In addition, they may get infection. However, medically related problems during liposuction are avoided by considering short procedures that do not involve the removal of excess far. Does Liposuction hurt? Does it leave scars? What is the cost? These are some of the many questions that liposuction patients ask when thinking about having a lipo surgery. Technological advanced has allowed the use of devices and procedures that are advanced such that patients experience minimal discomfort, trauma and swelling after a liposuction procedure. As such, liposuction surgery patients enjoy remarkable quick recovery. Surgeons often prescribe medication that can be useful in suppressing any pain after the procedure. In addition, a compression garment is always available to wear for purposes of reducing the extent of swelling, as well as encourage the optimal skin to contract. If properly taken care of, scars from the treated areas can fade easily with a few months after the surgery. In most of the cases, surgery scars diminish after a year of surgery. The significance of carrying out a liposuction is that after the fat is removed, it becomes impossible for the fat cells to grow back. Liposuction procedure provides permanent solution to fat accumulation of different parts of the human body. In spite of this, it is necessary to ensure the maintenance of stable body weight to avoid the growth of other fat cells. Often, liposuction surgery costs around $1,000 to $20,000 depending on location and the type of procedure used. Choosing the best surgeon The success of the liposuction procedure depends to a large extent on the surgeon carrying out the process. It is important that you engage the services of a qualified individual for your fat removal needs. What then are your supposed to look out for in a surgeon to ensure that you settle for the best? Here are a few highlights to set you off. First, consider the surgeon’s skills and experience. The more that a surgeon carries out the liposuction, the more they understand how best to deal with different skin removal needs. Skilled and experienced surgeons have a higher chance of effectively removing the fat than unskilled and experienced ones. Thus, ask around for the best surgeon in terms of skills and experience for a chance to have your fat removed easily, safely and fast. Secondly, the surgeon’s level of education is an important factor to consider. Is he or she certified by the Board Certification in Cosmetic Surgery? Surgeons who are certified to carry out cosmetic surgery have enough experience in liposuction and thus a suitable for any liposuction procedure. In addition, certification implies that the concerned surgeon operates accredited surgery centers with all the necessary tools and instrument for surgery. Thirdly, it would be important to look at the aesthetic style factor before settling for a certain surgeon. In the case of liposuction, it becomes necessary to consider your tastes and preference alongside those of the surgeon you want to engage. There are cases where surgeons work according to their interest as opposed to the needs of the patient. Therefore, make a comparison of any available database pictures of patients before and after the liposuction. This will help you understand what to expect for your case. Lastly, the reputation of the surgeon matters a great deal. Who wishes to have liposuction done by a reckless surgeon? You can learn about the reputation of your potential surgeon by looking out for reviews online or even asking recommendation from friends, family and individuals who might have had liposuction done on them before. This will not only give your information about the kind of surgeon to expect but also information on the expected results. Take-home It is evident that liposuction is a suitable way to deal with stubborn fat on different parts of an individual’s body. It is important to put into consideration a few factors such as diet, weight, and nature of skin before going for the surgery. This ensures that one is suitable for the procedure, and thus avoids any unnecessary complications. To effectively remove such fat, always consult the services of a qualified surgeon who is certified to carry out liposuction surgery.