subject: Why Do People Get Liposuction? [print this page] Liposuction (also called lipoplasty and suction lipectomy) is a large and growing business. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo this procedure. For twelve out of the last thirteen years, lipoplasty has topped the charts as the most popular cosmetic surgery in America. Even last year, when the procedure had a recession caused dip in popularity, nearly 350,000 people underwent the cosmetic procedure.
The surgery uses suction to surgically remove excess and unwanted fat from specific target areas on a person's body. During the surgery, the doctor numbs the target area and makes one or a few small incisions. The doctor performs the surgery through these incisions using a small tool called a cannula. A cannula is essentially a thin, hollow needle which can be hooked up to a vacuum device. By moving the needle back and forth in the patient's body, the doctor can break up and suction out the unwanted fat.
People tend to have very individual reasons for why they get the surgery. Some women get it because they're tired of carrying the excess weight that they have been carrying since their last baby. Some men get it because they're tired of having beer bellies and love handles. Some women get it because they have excessively large, heavy breasts that either cause them physical pain or that monopolize people's attention. Some men and women get the surgery in order to smooth out their faces and jawlines.
Some women get the surgery to try to reduce the size of their arms, making it easier for them to wear short sleeved or sleeveless shirts. Some men get a variant of the surgery called abdominal etching in an attempt to get six pack abs. Some women get the surgery to decrease the size of their thighs or buttocks.
Beyond these physical reasons, people have a variety of emotional reasons they undergo the procedure. Some work in professions that demand a high level of physical perfection, and they feel that the procedure will increase their career possibilities. Some feel that the procedure will help them to attract a boy or girlfriend. Some simply want it for themselves.
People should be careful in what they expect out of their surgery, especially in their emotional desires. Although liposuction definitely has its place, it cannot instantly or perfectly fix self-image issues or make your life perfect. Similarly, people should have realistic physical goals for their procedure.
One good rule of thumb to remember is that the procedure can typically improve one's physical appearance, but that it cannot typically provide perfection.
