Liposuction

Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgeries, and it is not a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet. It is a form of body contouring with significant attendant risks and is not a weight loss method. This type of treatment is used mostly on the the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, where it is harder to get rid of fat cells. The result is lasting since during the liposuction the fat cells are removed from the corrected part of the body, thus even in case of increasing body weight the ratio will stay and in the treated area no fat cells will occur. It is not advised to remove too much fat during the liposuction, the maximum amount is three liters per treatment because it may lead to health problems. The risks and the strain on the patient depend more on the size of the treated are and less on the amount of fat removed.

Suction-assisted liposuction is the standard method of liposuction. In this approach, a small cannula (like a straw) is inserted through a small incision. It is attached to a vacuum device. The surgeon pushes and pulls it carefully through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and drawing them out of the body by suction. The surgery may happen under general or local anesthesia, it depends on the size of the treated area. After the surgery a compression bandage has to be worn by the patient for several weeks.

Thanks to the new developments, a new technique was discovered for liposuction, in which the ultrasound plays the main role, thus unburdening the treatment for the surgeons. It is a good choice for working with more delicate areas of the body such as the double chin, ankles, legs and knees. A specialized cannula is used which transmits ultrasound vibrations within the body. This vibration bursts the walls of the fat cells, emulsifying the fat (i.e. liquefying it) and making it easier to suction out.

On one occasion the ultrasound liposuction may be done on more than one part of the body, but it is also not advised to exaggerate. The lasting effect of the ultrasound liposuction is also prominent , since the fat cells are removed and thus the body form will remain even if a significant amount of weight will be gained by the patient. The duration of the surgery may take one or two hours and it is done under local anesthesia. After the ultrasound liposuction the skin will be more smooth than in case of traditional treatments.