Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, is a cosmetic procedure to reshape any area of the body. It is the process of suctioning excessive fat deposits to shape and mould contours of the body.
So when should you consider this procedure? Everyone wants to look their best but having surgery to look good is a big decision. First of all, liposuction is not cheap and a certain degree of pain is involved post surgery. If you have tried dieting and a strict exercise regime and nothing has worked so far, then you may consider liposuction to get rid of unwanted fat. In some occasions, liposuction is used to treat people with certain health conditions such as gynaecomastia, lipoedema, lipodystrophy and lymph oedema.
Is it safe?
The surgery has a very good safety profile and you can be back to work as soon as one week after the procedure. Your qualified surgeon will insert keyholes (tiny incisions) in discrete areas of the body and the fat is sucked out into containers. You can treat almost any areas of the body but the most common areas include:
• Neck
• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Stomach
• Chest
• Flanks
• Arms
If a strict diet and targeted exercise failed, you can elect to undergo the procedure and remove the fat deposits in the concerned area. After the fat is removed, in many cases the skin also retracts and tightens and visible improvements can be seen.
Consider your health status
If you’re considering liposuction, you will need to book in an appointment with your chosen surgeon to make an assessment of your health and physical condition. You must be in good health without issues that could complicate the surgery such as diabetes, immune diseases, or blood flow conditions.
Be smart in choosing the right surgeon
The goal for this procedure is to improve the body shape and contour. You must have realistic expectations to avoid any disappointment. Make sure to ask as many questions as possible to your surgeon. Request for Before and After photos to manage expectations of how your body will look like. Talk to your surgeon about the risks and results. Most important of all, choose a doctor that has many years of experience and that is a specialist in liposuction, there are many experienced surgeons who have performed in the tens of thousands of liposuction procedures.
What happens after surgery?
Post surgery habits are very important in order to improve and maintain results. You will need to wear special clothing to keep your skin tight and compressed. This may last for weeks. Your doctor may provide these to you or recommend where you can buy them from. Being healthy is key – give your body the proper nutrients and plenty of water to keep hydrated. Incorporate daily exercise in your routine and eat healthy. Failure to maintain a healthy lifestyle can lead to fat cells growing again.
Remember, liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss or treatment for obesity. It is only recommended to undergo this procedure if you have tried everything to change your lifestyle and nothing has worked.
