Weight Loss & Liposuction

Liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat pockets located between the skin and the muscle. Through a small incision in the skin, the fat is removed by a tube called a cannula which connects to a suction pump to remove the fat from the body. Liposuction has many names--lipoplasty, lipo, liposculpture and suction lipectomy. It can be performed on many parts of the body. Liposuction was invented in 1974 in Italy by a gynecologist name Dr. Giorgio Fischer.

Facts

• Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to eliminate or reduce body fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. It can be used on any part of the body and often targets the thighs, cheeks, chin, buttocks and abdominal region. Liposuction typically is performed with an injection of medication into the fatty tissues. The medication used is a combination of lidocaine (an anesthetic), epinephrine (which is used to limit blood loss) and a salt solution. The fact is then sucked out.

Benefits

• There are several medical benefits to having liposuction. According to the American Journal of Medicine. over 82 percent of liposuction patients who had diabetes were able to reverse their diabetes within two years. Obese women have a higher fertility rate after weight loss, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Hypertension is improved or eliminated in liposuction patients, according to the Journal of American Medical Association. Weight loss patients may also find an easing of the pain in their joints after surgery.

Significance

• According to a study done in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction is considered an effective weight loss method as well as a way to improve overall health. The study also shows that patients who received liposuction for weight loss had decreased body fat mass, fasting insulin levels and lower blood pressure four months after the surgery.

Consideration

• Although liposuction dramatically reduces weight, it does not permanently prevent weight gain. Exercise, physical activities and a proper diet are still required to maintain weight after liposuction surgery. Liposuction is not a cure for obesity. It is important to be in stable health and mind when making the decision to have liposuction. It is a major surgery that alters your internal body as well as your appearance. There are several pre-surgery and post-surgery issues to discuss with your doctor before making the final decision.

Warning

• As with most surgeries, liposuction has its risks. There are potential side effects such as excessive loss of body fluids, blood clots or fat clots, a reaction to the fluid mixture, or skin and nerve damage. The risk of these side effects are greater in patients who have large volumes of liposuction work done. People with medical problems such as heart disease, lung disease and poor blood circulation are also at a higher risk for complications.