How do I know if Liposuction is Right for Me?

If you are a healthy man or woman interested in removing fat from a select area or two on your body, you might be thinking of having liposuction performed. While it is a surgical procedure, and one which you should only enter into if you are sure it is right for your body, by better understanding the process you can decide whether or not it is appropriate for you to make a consultation appointment with a plastic surgeon. The Ideal Candidate for Liposuction The ideal candidate for liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is one who is at or near their ideal weight. It is important to understand that lipoplasty is not designed for weight loss and is a procedure which was designed for targeted area fat removal only. Additionally, people who are younger, who have more elasticity to their skin, are better candidates than those who are older and lack this elasticity. Additionally, those who have diabetes, heart disease, or immune system disorders are not good candidates for the procedure. The Target Location for Liposuction Liposuction can be performed on any place on a man or woman's body which contains a stubborn pocket of fatty tissue. Generally, it is performed on areas such as the abdomen, calves, ankles, hips, thighs, arms, and under the chin. Liposuction can be performed in one area or many areas all in the same day. Sometimes it is also performed in conjunction to other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a tummy tuck or face lift. However, it be used as a substitute for a good diet and regular exercise. The Plastic Surgeon The best person to perform lipoplasty on your body is a plastic surgeon who has been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. While other physicians now days do liposuction, such as gynecologists, it is always best to have it done by an experienced plastic surgeon to achieve the best results possible. To find an experienced Board Certified plastic surgeon in your area you can contact your local hospital or the American Board of Plastic Surgery directly and ask for a referral. They will be happy to talk to you and refer you.
The Lipoplasty Procedure The first thing which happens is that the fat to be removed is injected with a solution designed to liquefy it for easier removal. Once this is done, then your plastic surgeon will make a small incision in the area and insert a small hallow tube called a cannula. The cannula is moved around in the fat deposit and it is vacuumed out and disposed of. At this point your incisions are closed using sutures or medical glue like substances, and allowed to heal. Liposuction Recovery The recovery time for the procedure is typically only a week or two. After this time you can return to most things you do in your daily life. However, for things like vigorous exercise you will need to wait until your plastic surgeon feels it is safe. By: Abigail Aaronson