subject: About Liposuction And You [print this page] If you've lost a lot of weight, but you're still finding it hard to get the figure you want, liposuction may be an option. This procedure is especially good for taking off a stubborn 10-15 lbs. of fat while contouring the body to make it appear as if there was much more weight loss.
Even though liposuction removes fat, its primary purpose is sculpting the target areas into a more appealing shape. Liposuction is best done on areas that typically retain fat even when other areas of the body are at the desired size. The thighs, abdomen, and buttocks are common targets of liposuction due to their propensity to take on extra fat deposits.
Since the inception of the concept back in the 1920s, liposuction has undergone many advancements. The modern version was invented in 1974 by American surgeons who were working in Rome, Italy at the time. Even their version has been improved several times.
Two of the current liposuction techniques are "tumescent" liposuction and "super-wet" liposuction. Both of these methods involve the addition of fluids as mentioned earlier. The fluids include saline solution and anesthetic. For extensive procedures or for patients who need help remaining calm, I.V. sedation may be added too. Overall, tumescent and super-wet liposuction both are a lot safer than old techniques, with the super-wet method being the safest of all.
Liposuction is done as an outpatient surgery in most cases, with the patient being able to return home shortly after the procedure is done. One unique aspect of the requirements for liposuction is that patients must have quit smoking at least two months beforehand. This is because nicotine interferes with circulation, so its presence in the body can cause tissue loss.
The recovery period lasts from two days to two weeks, depending on the extensiveness of the procedure. The patient will also need to wear a compression garment for about two to four weeks. The final result of the procedure will be evident between one to six months after the surgery, although early effects can usually be seen as soon as the swelling goes down usually after a few days.
As with any surgery, patients should take care to find a good doctor. Check credentials, the doctor's experience in working with the area you want to target, and get references. With the proper due diligence, you should be able to find the perfect doctor to help you get the look you want.
