subject: What Are The Risks Of Liposuction? [print this page] Lots of people are interested in liposuction (also called lipoplasty and lipectomy). However, many people are also scared of the possible complications or side-effects that the surgery could cause. The internet is full of sensational ads promoting the surgery and sensational horror stories trying to keep people away from it. This article will attempt to cut through the hype and get at what is actually true regarding lipoplasty.
Lipoplasty is a surgical procedure which removes excess fat from one to several target areas of the body. It is usually performed under local anesthesia. Some common target areas for liposuction include the abdomen, the buttocks, the thighs, the hips, the face, the neck and the breasts.
The surgery is performed using a small, hollow needle called a cannula. After hooking the cannula up to a vacuum machine, a doctor inserts the cannula into the target area. By moving it back and forth through the fatty tissue of the patient's target area, the surgeon is able to break up and vacuum out the unwanted fat.
Because the cannulas used in liposuction are so small, the incisions made tend to be equally small. This means that there is a smaller chance of serious scarring than with many other forms of cosmetic surgery. However, there is always the chance for some sort of visual blemish. In addition to scarring, there is the possibility for a strange rippling quality to the skin in the target area, uneven skin pigmentation and other factors which could lead to an aesthetically unpleasing result.
More seriously, there is the potential for damage to the nerves or skin, dangerous clotting and infection. Any time one deals with anesthesia, there is always the chance for some sort of complications. In very rare cases, as with all surgeries, some liposuctions lead to serious injury or death.
Serious complications tend to be relatively rare. However, it is important for prospective patients to realize that there is a possibility, no matter how slight for serious issues.
One of the largest contributors to patient dissatisfaction is a lack of understanding regarding the surgery and its effects. Some people expect an impossible degree of perfection from their surgery, and they become unhappy when they do not receive it. If you are considering liposuction, you should look at a number of before and after pictures so that you can get a better handle on what the typical results of a lipoplasty are.
Prospective patients should make sure that they are well-informed. They should know about the likely outcomes and the possible dangers of their surgery. The more patients know about a procedure, the better equipped they will be to make the important decision of whether or not they should undergo it.
