Liposuction - Four Techniques

Almost 350,000 people underwent liposuction, shortened to just lipo, in 2008, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It is considered one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. Why do so many people decide to have it done? They make the decision when exercise and diet changes have not provided acceptable results. Lipo is usually paired with tummy tucks to remove fatty tissue deposits that are stored in areas of the body that will more than likely never respond to exercise and dietary changes.

Finding a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in liposuction is the most important part of the plastic surgery journey. The search should not be taken lightly. A good way to start your search of physicians is by asking friends who might have recently had the same procedure done. You can also go to the ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org, in order to find a certified plastic surgeon in your area.

There are four techniques that have been developed over the years to help create a slimmer silhouette and a more proportional body contour. They include the tumescent, super-wet, ultra-sonic assisted and power-assisted lipo procedures.

The tumescent procedure involves injecting an anesthetic liquid into the areas of excess fat before the lipo is performed. This liquid will contract blood vessels and cause fat to become swollen. The swollen fat pockets will allow your surgeon to quickly and smoothly move his tool under the skin to remove the fat.

The super wet method is similar to the tumescent technique. Fluid is injected into the tissues before it is removed. Really, the only difference is that less fluid is used.

Ultrasound waves break up the fat before it is removed, during the ultra-sonic assisted procedure. This method uses a combination of heat energy and vibration energy on fat, and is commonly used when a secondary procedure is needed. It targets fibrous areas of the body like the upper back or male breasts.

The latest advance in fat removal is the power-assisted lipo. A wand-like instrument is used to break up fatty tissue during this procedure. It loosens up fat cells so that they can be gently sucked away without causing damage to the surrounding tissues.

As with all plastic surgery procedures, such as tummy tucks, breast augmentations and nose reshaping, to name a few, the risks and complications will vary depending on which method is used. Typically, however, the most common risks include blood clots formulating in the leg, excessive blood loss, infection, reaction to anesthesia, asymmetry, hyper-pigmentation, swelling, necrosis and numbness.

Most people feel some pain and discomfort after having a liposuction procedure, but are soon able to return to work, usually within three or four days. As the body heals, the results of the procedure will emerge. The ideal situation is that a person will feel more confident in their appearance and enjoy their new look. Always remember to educate yourself and become informed before undergoing any type of cosmetic plastic surgery.