Liposuction is number three among the five most common types of cosmetic surgeries (right after breast augmentation and nose surgery), with around 245,000 surgeries per year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in 2008.
Solving Doubts
The “lipo” is one of the most desired surgeries by overweight men and women. Also known as lipoplasty, liposuction reduces and reshapes specific areas of the body through a thin tube or cannula that is inserted into the body to remove excess fat, “sucking” it through a surgical vacuum or syringe.
Although the swelling disappears after a few months, it is essential to avoid weight gain in order to verify the results.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the best candidates for liposuction are adults within 30% of their ideal weight who have elastic skin and good muscle tone; non-smokers, and otherwise healthy people with no chronic diseases or medical conditions.
Risks We Must Know Despite its popularity, the true scope of this practice is far from what people’s imaginations depict. Although its purpose is to remove excess fat, the lipo is not magic, and if the skin is flaccid, it will continue to be that way after surgery.
It is therefore recommended to ask all questions to the surgeon, in order to have a realistic idea of what the surgery is.
Potential risks include:
• Asymmetric shape
• Loose skin or “waves”
• Irregular pigmentation
• Infections
• Fat clumps
• Blood clots
• Excessive fluid loss or accumulation
• Scars
• Injuries caused by ultrasound (when using this technique)
• Risks of anesthesia
• Bruising
• Changes in skin sensations
• Persistent pain
• Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs
• Persistent swelling of the legs
• Deep vein thrombosis and heart/lung complications
• Possibility of having to repeat the surgery
Despite these risks, part of the success of lupisuction relies on post operatory care. It is therefore very important to follow carefully the surgeon’s instructions. The most common recommendations include avoiding excessive efforts or sudden movements.
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons / www.plasticsurgery.com
