Liposuction: Surgically Removing Fat (Guest Post)

Note: This is a guest post.  Though my blog is mainly about diet and training, I'm well aware that cosmetic surgery is one option people use to improve their physiques. 

Liposuction surgery has become safer and less invasive over the years – not to mention much more affordable. Today, fat-eliminating surgery can be performed in your lunch break and requires minimal post-operative care.

If you are considering liposuction surgery or have already booked your consultation, here are some points to consider:

1. Assortment of Areas

Liposuction surgery can be performed on almost any part of the human body. Although the majority of patients opt for fat removal from their abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, the neck and the arms are other potential candidates.

The success of liposuction surgery is attributed more to the reshaping or contouring of the body than sheer weight loss. That being said, some surgeons claim to have removed in excess of fifty surplus pounds from prior patients.

2. Candidacy

Not everyone is a good candidate for surgery. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will record details of your medical history, look for signs of uncontrolled blood pressure, and perform a series of tests to ensure that you are in good overall health.

Patients with a history of serious mental illness, and those with unrealistic expectations about the procedure may not be considered for liposuction surgery. Liposuction is not intended to be a substitute for exercise or healthy eating, nor is it marketed to the clinically obese.

3. Fat Removal

Several techniques can aid in the actual surgery, depending on the surgeon you choose. Generally speaking, a cannula, or hollow tube is inserted into the affected area, and an aspirator, or suction device sucks out the excess fat.

Some surgeons use “wet” liposuction surgery, in which a small amount of fluid containing a local anesthetic is injected into the surgical area to create more room for the cannula. Similar to vacuuming a carpet, the surgeon pushes and pulls the cannula to loosen and then remove the fat.

4. Potential Side Effects

Although liposuction surgery is becoming increasingly safer, some patients still suffer uncomfortable side effects. While medically minor, the bruising, swelling, and pain after the procedure can be debilitating. The surgeon will generally provide pain medications and a compression garment for wearing up to one month post-surgery. It is important to note that the success of the surgery is largely in your hands; failure to follow the post-operative instructions can increase the risk of complications and promote discomfort.

5. Choosing a Surgeon

As you continue to browse your options, you might see major discrepancies in the cost of liposuction. It is of paramount importance that you choose a reputable, certified surgeon, to perform your procedure. The old idiom “what you pay for is what you get” applies here, since some patients who opted for “cheap and cheerful” have been left with irreversible, grotesque results. Sometimes too much fat is removed at one time, and other times, the surgeon fails to pay attention to detail. Either error can leave pockets or craters in the skin.

Liposuction surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures of our time. Be safe, be informed, and enjoy your beautiful new body!