A Guide to Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the more popular treatments used in plastic surgery. It helps to make your body more uniform and to eliminate fat deposits that have proven to be resistant to dieting and exercise. Common parts of the body that liposuction is used to sculpt include the arms, back, chin, calves, thighs, neck, buttocks and abdomen.

The procedure is performed over 300,000 times each year in the U.S. Liposuction is also commonly known as lipo, lipoplasty, lipectomy or liposculpture suction. During the treatment, the doctor makes an incision near the area that the patient wants sculpted. A hollow tube, called a cannula, is inserted into the incision and it is connected to a powerful vacuum that breaks up fat deposits and sucks them away.

Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment and it does not address obesity. People who plan to lose significant amounts of weight are generally advised to get close to their weight loss goals before getting the treatment.

Common reasons you might need liposuction

Liposuction can be used to address issues like:

• Lipodystrophy syndrome: This condition leads to fat deposits accumulating more in certain parts of the body. Liposuction can be used to even out the patient's fat distribution
• Lipomas: These are benign fatty tumors that can develop on a person's body. They are commonly found on the trunk, shoulder, neck and under the arms. Liposuction can be used to safely remove these tumors
• Lymphedema: This chronic condition causes the accumulation of lymph fluids underneath the skin. It leads to swelling in the person's arms and legs. Liposuction can be used to remove the accumulated fluid and reduce swelling. This, in turn, will reduce the pain and discomfort
• It can be used to remove stubborn fat deposits
• It improves the tone of the areas worked on

What to expect when getting liposuction

During the treatment, the doctor will inject the patient with a general or local anesthetic. The procedure can last anywhere between one to four hours. The quantity of fat and the area being worked on determines how long the treatment lasts.

Types of liposuction

The three common types of liposuction are:

1. Laser Assisted Lipolysis

This is one of the less invasive types of liposuction. The cannula is used to guide a laser that heats up the fat deposits and liquefies them.

2. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction

This uses sound waves to energize the cannula. The charged cannula melts fat away as soon as it touches it. The fat is then suctioned away with a vacuum.

3. Tumescent liposuction

This involves using a saline solution that contains epinephrine and lidocaine to constrict the patient's blood vessels and to numb the area. The broken down fat is then extracted.

Who is a good candidate for liposuction?

Anyone who has fat deposits that are not responsive to dieting and exercising can benefit from liposuction. Patients should be close to their ideal weight since drastic weight changes will diminish the results.

People with health issues like diabetes and heart disease might not be eligible for the treatment. Patients will have to stop smoking tobacco products and consuming alcohol if they plan to get the treatment.

We are here to educate you

Want to learn more about liposuction? Stop by our Schaumburg office for a consultation today.

Request an appointment here: https://paulcdillonmd.com or call Paul C. Dillon, MD Inc at (847) 429-3185 for an appointment in our Schaumburg office.

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