| Liposuction is the most common cosmetic plastic | | | | enlargement of breast glands, there is also extensive |
| surgery procedure performed in the United States. | | | | growth of the fatty tissue in the breasts. Breast |
| Invented in the late 1970s, it was introduced in 1982 | | | | growth in men is rather prevalent. In fact, one third |
| to the United States, where it is now performed on | | | | of adolescent men grow breasts. One third of this |
| more than 400,000 people annually. | | | | group actually keeps their breasts into adulthood. This |
| Liposuction is also known as "lipoplasty" or | | | | can pose much embarrassment, loss of |
| "suction-assisted lipectomy." All of these refer to the | | | | self-confidence, and the inability to wear clothes |
| removal of unwanted lumps, bulges, and areas of fat | | | | comfortably. |
| using a thin suction metal tube or a "cannula." This | | | | During your consultation, the plastic surgeon will |
| instrument is inserted into subcutaneous body fat | | | | review your treatment options for body contouring |
| through small incisions. A strong vacuum is then | | | | and Liposuction, including pros and cons, potential |
| applied through a hose attached to the cannula, which | | | | risks and complications, recovery course, pre and |
| draws fat from under the skin. | | | | post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. |
| Liposculpture Information | | | | Preparing for surgery: |
| The term "liposculpture" refers mostly to the practice | | | | Patients should stop taking anticoagulants for two |
| of liposuction where the body parts are contoured | | | | weeks prior to surgery. Smoking must be avoided |
| and shaped into a slimmer profile. Because it involves | | | | for at least one month prior to surgery as it can |
| sculpting and contouring, your plastic surgeon should | | | | interfere with circulation and causes blood clots. |
| be one who is blessed with a strong artistic sense. It | | | | The surgery: |
| is, after all, not the latest liposuction technique or | | | | The time required to perform liposuction varies |
| machine that will give you the ultimate figure. Rather, | | | | considerably, depending on the size of the area, the |
| it is the skills of the plastic surgeon who uses them! | | | | amount of fat being removed, the type of |
| Liposuction Candidates | | | | anesthesia and techniques used. Through a tiny |
| The first group includes those who are large and wish | | | | incision, a narrow tube is inserted and used to |
| to reduce their size, for many reasons, including being | | | | vacuum the fat layer that lies deep beneath the skin. |
| able to feel good in their clothing. These include | | | | The cannula is then pushed and pulled through the fat |
| women who gained much weight after pregnancy, or | | | | layer, breaking up the fat cells and suctioning them |
| who take medications or hormones that cause | | | | out by a vacuum pump or a large syringe. The fluid |
| weight gain. This also includes people who have | | | | lost along with the fat is replaced during the |
| gained much weight due to a bodily injury or disability | | | | procedure to prevent shock. The patient is under |
| that prevents them from exercising. And finally, there | | | | careful observation throughout the procedure and |
| are many people who gain weight with aging. | | | | receives intravenous fluids during and immediately |
| The second group includes those who are generally | | | | after surgery |
| fit, but who are frustrated with disproportionate fat | | | | Recovery: |
| buildup in specific areas, such as the abdomen, hips, | | | | To control swelling a compression garment will be |
| thighs, buttocks, knees, upper thighs, cheeks, and | | | | worn for several weeks. Your doctor will prescribe |
| neck. The reason for fat growth in these stubborn | | | | antibiotics to prevent infection. You may experience |
| areas is genetic and therefore, cannot be reduced | | | | some initial discomfort, swelling, and temporary |
| much -- even through exercise or starvation. | | | | numbness. All of this will subside with time; depending |
| The third group includes men who have | | | | on the amount of liposuction, normal activity can be |
| gynecomastia - an excessive breast growth. Although | | | | resumed anywhere from 10 days to several weeks. |
| some of this breast growth is the result of the actual | | | | |