With more than a quarter-million liposuctions performed last year, it is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in the United States. For some people, liposuction seems like an easy and almost-magical solution to weight loss. Before taking the plunge into this surgery, you should get the facts and understand the complications, risks and expected outcomes of liposuction. 

Liposuction is an effective means to eliminate stubborn fat around the body. Even people who lead healthy lifestyles, complete with a diet and exercise routine, may have difficulties ridding themselves of bulging fat pockets. Cosmetic surgeons agree than liposuction is a useful tool for most healthy people with elastic skin tone. People who are severely overweight are not considered good candidates for the surgery because they are at higher risk for complications and results will not be as effective.  

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction basically involves the insertion of a hollow steel tube into the affected fat pocket. This tube is connected to a powerful vacuum that literally sucks the fat from underneath the skin. Depending on the size and location of the surgery, the patient will either need to undergo IV sedation or receive a local anesthetic. With any surgery requiring anesthesia, you should be fully aware of any of the potential risks and side effects. 

Two basic types of liposuction are available: traditional liposuction and tumescent liposuction. The difference between the two types is that tumescent results in less blood loss. With traditional liposuction procedures, patients often have to undergo blood transfusions prior to the surgery in case of an emergency. The tumescent procedure involves injecting a large amount of IV fluid under the skin, which leaves an opening between the fat and muscle tissue. The steel tube can be more easily navigated through that opening and it makes the procedure safer and easier to perform.

You want to be certain that you choose an experienced and reputable cosmetic surgeon for your procedure. A good doctor will have graduated from an accredited medical school, have hundreds of internship hours and be a member of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS). The AAPS recommends that you choose a physician with many years of experience because these doctors have a good degree of “surgical judgment”; surgical judgment is developed by years of combined training and experience. 

When you find a doctor that suits your needs, he or she will probably offer at least two consultation sessions. In each of the sessions the doctor should find out what areas of the body you are interested in and let you know a reasonable goal for your needs. You should go into the operation with a firm grasp on what to realistically expect from the surgery.  

Though liposuction is a very common surgery, doctors recommend you understand what the surgery can really do for you. Liposuction is very effective in shaping the body in fat-prone areas such as the buttocks, hips, abdomen, chin, cheeks, neck and arms of most people. According the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) liposuction is most effective on “normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas” and those who are more overweight may not achieve the results they wished for. A reputable cosmetic surgeon will counsel a patient to ensure they have a good idea of what to realistically expect, in order for the patient to make an informed decision.