Many people who have an on-going battle with excess weight turn to Liposuction as a possible solution. But is liposuction really the answer to lose a lot of weight, or is it better thought of as a cosmetic procedure that will only reshape specific areas of the body that exercise and diet are unable to target? Let’s find out.
Liposuction Explained
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes small fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Sometimes no matter how much you diet and exercise, these stubborn bulges of fat simply refuse to go away. And while a person may have good health and overall fitness levels, these bulges can create disproportionate contours. These are nothing more than localized deposits of fat and have more to do with genetic disposition to gain weight rather than lack of fitness.
Lipoplasty can easily slim down and reshape these trouble areas, usually seen on the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs and even around the face like a double chin. What is very important to understand here is that liposuction is not the ideal solution to treat obesity and will never replace a good lifestyle that consists of a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is more a method to enhance one’s physical appearance by removing small fat pockets in order to achieve a more proportionate, defined figure. Also, liposuction does not target cellulite but only fat; though sometimes it is coupled with other cosmetic procedures like breast reduction, face lift or tummy tuck to reshape the sagging skin for better overall appearance.
Who should consider liposuction?
Liposuction is a good option for those who are otherwise healthy, but simply want to reshape their body a little bit to get rid of stubborn fat deposits that exercise cannot target. Also, best results are seen on those who are average weight and in overall good health, as opposed to those who are overweight and assume liposuction can make them slimmer. Additionally, it is a cosmetic procedure best chosen by those who have firm and elastic skin, which is why older patients find that the procedure results in lose, sagging skin. Those who have cellulite deposits in the areas where pockets of concentrated fat accumulates are not ideal candidates for liposuction, as the treatment may cause undesirable skin irregularities.
How is the treatment done?
Tumescent Liposuction is where a saline solution mixed with epinephrine and a painkiller are injected in to the treatment site around the fatty cells. These contract the blood vessels and make it easier for the doctor to remove the fat deposit with minimal pain and blood loss. Tumescent Liposuction eliminates the need for intravenous sedatives, narcotic analgesics and general anesthesia.
The benefit of this procedure is that there is less pain, less blood loss and less bruising after the surgery. The recovery time after the procedure is much shorter as well. In fact, the Tumescent technique is the safest form of liposuction, and is becoming the first choice for treatment with optimal result.
For more information and to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lakshman, contact us today.
