subject: Understanding The Process Of Liposuction Before You Opt For It [print this page] Undergoing any kind of surgery comes with expected risks. No matter what you are going to do, going under the knife is dangerous, particularly when anesthesiology is involved.
Weight loss surgeries are particularly dangerous, as they can cause very adverse reactions in your body. While something like liposuction can work for some, it does not work for all.
If you are considering undergoing this procedure, you need to make sure you fully understand all that is involved, down to the basics. This surgery is an option to remove small bulges that won't budge, and to improve your body's shape.
The areas most commonly treated include the hips, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and face. It does not remove cellulite, only fat--this is something to consider, if what you are looking to really get rid of is cellulite.
An optimal candidate for this process should have realistic expectations about the results of this procedure, as well as being above an average weight, being in very good health, and having firm, elastic skin. They should have concentrated pockets of fat that do not respond well to diet and exercise.
If you do have cellulite, undergoing this procedure is not a good idea--you may develop skin irregularities due to under or over correction of localized fat deposits. Age is generally not a major consideration, however, older patients often have less elasticity in their skin and thus may not achieve the same benefits that a younger patient with tighter skin might achieve.
If you feel you are still in the running, the first step will be to arrange a consultation with your surgeon. During the consultation, your surgeon will discuss which options are best for you, your skin type, the effectiveness and safety of the procedure, the potential financial cost and what your expectations should be.
Do not hesitate to ask the surgeon any questions you may have. Now is the time to speak up when it comes to having concerns.
Once you have decided to proceed, your surgeon will give you any instructions you will need to prepare for the surgery. This may include dietary or alcohol guidelines restrictions or the taking or avoiding of certain vitamins.
Be sure to tell them of any and all allergies you have, as well as any and all medications you are taking. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications as well as herbal supplements.
Depending on the specific type of procedure you are undergoing, it may be performed as an outpatient procedure at the doctor's office or surgery center. If large amounts of fat are being removed, the procedure will be done in a hospital and may require an overnight stay.
Before the doctor begins, you will be given an anesthesia. Again, depending on the degree of fat being removed, anesthesia varies and may only be locally applied, or it may required a general application, in which case the surgery will be done while you are sleeping.
Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the process is performed using a suction device attached to a small, stainless steel instrument called a cannula. Through small incisions, the cannula is inserted into fatty areas between skin and muscle, where it removes excess fat either using a suction pump or a large syringe.
This results in a smoother, improved body contour. The length of the procedure will vary with the amount of fat needing removed.
This is not an easy or gentle process--it can be very violent inside your body, and cause soreness and bruising like you have never had before. This is something you may want to consider.
Though the basics described above remain the same, there are a couple of different techniques that can be used during liposuction. The first is called Tumescent.
During this technique, the surgeon will inject a solution is injected into your fatty areas before it is removed. It is made up of a saline solution, a mild painkiller and epinephrine, a drug that contracts your blood vessels.
The solution not only helps the surgeon removed the unwanted material more easily, but it also helps reduce blood loss and provides pain relief during and after surgery. The next type is ultrasound assisted.
During an ultrasound-assisted process, ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the fat, after which it is removed from the body. Talk to your surgeon about both options, and what would be best for your particular needs.
