About Liposuction
          Inherited traits often prevent people from achieving their desired body shape. Even years of exercise may not yield significant or noticeable results in certain people. For many, the answer is liposuction, also known as liposculpture, a cosmetic surgery procedure that extracts fat from specific areas of the body. Following liposuction, patients can expect a slimmer, shapelier figure.

Liposuction Surgery
          The cosmetic surgeon begins by inserting a cannula (a slim, hollow tube) into small incisions near the area to be recontoured. The cannula is moved through the layers of tissue and extracts excess fat. Once the fat and tissue have been removed, the cosmetic surgeon stitches the incision and trims away excess skin. Several different liposuction techniques exist.

• The super-wet liposuction technique injects fluid into the patient's body, roughly the same amount as the fat to be extracted.
• The tumescent liposuction technique injects double or even triple the amount of fluid.
• Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL), or ultrasonic liposuction, involves the use of a specially designed cannula that liquefies the fat and suctions it away.
  

Except in the most extreme cases, liposuction procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Your cosmetic surgeon will suggest the most appropriate form of anesthesia (epidural block, intravenous sedation or a local or general anesthesia).

After Liposuction Surgery
Following liposuction surgery, an elastic bandage is applied in order to reduce swelling and keep the skin in place. In complex procedures, liposuction patients should be monitored closely to make sure no complications occur. Stitches are typically removed in a week's time and patients return to work after several days.

Liposuction Risks and Complications
As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, complications may arise with liposuction, but they are rare. They include infection, a reaction to the anesthesia, blood clotting, and fluid loss. Less severe risks of liposuction include a numbing of the skin and moderate changes in skin pigmentation. It is extremely important to choose a cosmetic surgeon who has proper and extensive training, along with state-of-the-art facilities and a good standing in their field. If you smoke, your cosmetic surgeon will advise that you stop both two weeks prior to and following liposuction surgery. To maximize the success of liposuction surgery and minimize the risk of complication, always follow your cosmetic surgeon's instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.