Liposuction - General Cosmetic Surgery Info
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that literally sucks away fatty deposits from beneath the skin surface. Liposuction is a common plastic surgery procedure, being one of the top five cosmetic treatments performed annually in the United States.
Liposuction can be performed on many parts of the body and is often used in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments to help enhance the appearance of the body. It can be used to remove fatty deposits from the abdomen, arms, legs, buttocks and even the face and neck.
There are various methods of liposuction available including tumescent liposuction and modified tumescent liposuction. During a tumescent liposuction treatment, local anesthesia is injected into the fatty deposits before removal. This method of liposuction is considered safer than modified tumescent liposuction which does use local anesthetic but also uses a general anesthesia or sedation which can add a measure of danger to the treatment.
It is important to note that liposuction is not to be considered as an alternative to a healthy diet and exercise and is not a permanent “fix-it-all” for fatty deposits in the body. A liposuction treatment is used to help reduce the level of fatty deposits in the body to help smooth and contour the skin which is why it is so often used with other appearance-enhancing procedures like facelifts and tummy tucks. However, liposuction can only go so far in helping to remove fat from the body.
There are some liposuction risks involved with receiving this method of cosmetic treatment which your cosmetic surgeon will fully discuss with your during your initial consultation. The primary risk involved with the procedure is the use of a general anesthetic which is usually remedied by opting for tumescent treatment as opposed to a modified tumescent treatment.
Recovery from a liposuction treatment will vary depending on the extent of fatty deposits you are having removed and the method of treatment you receive. Complete recovery from the procedure can take a few weeks during which time you will be instructed to limit exerting activities.