Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. During the past decade, liposuction, which is also known as "lipoplasty" or "suction lipectomy," has benefited from several new refinements. Today, a number of new techniques, including the tumescent technique and the super-wet technique, are helping many plastic surgeons to provide selected patients with more precise results and quicker recovery times. Although no type of liposuction is a substitute for dieting and exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight-loss methods.

If you're considering liposuction, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure.

Procedure:	Improve body shape by removing exercise-resistant fat deposits with a tube and vacuum device. Performed using the tumescent technique, in which targeted fat cells are infused with saline-containing solution with a local anesthetic before liposuction to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. Common locations for liposuction include chin, cheeks, neck, upper arms, above breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, ankles.
Length:	1 to 2 hours or more.
Anesthesia:	Local, sedation or general.
In/Outpatient:	Usually outpatient. Extensive procedures may require short inpatient stay.
Side Effects:	Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness, burning sensation. Temporary fluid drainage from incision sites.
Risks:	Asymmetry. Rippling or bagginess of skin. Pigmentation changes. Skin injury. Fluid retention. Excessive fluid loss leading to shock. Infection.
Recovery:	Back to work: 1 to 2 weeks. More strenuous activity: 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery from swelling and bruising: 1 to 6 months or more. Use of tumescent technique may decrease post-operative bruising and swelling.
Duration of Results:	Permanent, with sensible diet and exercise.