For millions who want to improve their appearance, liposuction is a dream come true because it can instantly and permanently remove fat that one either can't or won't exercise or diet away. The fact is that certain areas of one's body are immune to exercise. No matter how many miles, sit-ups, weights or laps you do, the fat remains. Only liposuction can remove it permanently.

The fat is removed permanently because one is born with a certain number of fat cells and different types of fat cells and if they are removed they do not regenerate. However, if one continues to consume too many calories without increasing exercise, the remaining fat cells can increase in size.

Since 1983, when liposuction was introduced from France, millions of people have had stubborn fat deposits removed via the most popular and fastest-growing cosmetic surgery procedure in America. The surgeon "sculpts" the body by removing fat from specific areas, such as the waist, stomach, buttocks, hips, thighs, arms, legs, ankles, back, cheeks, chin and neck. It is skill in "sculpting" that separates the good from the not so good surgeons.

There are different kinds of doctors performing liposuction and there are no federal or state laws governing the training a physician must attain to call himself a Liposuction Specialist. Any licensed physician can legally perform this procedure regardless of training or experience. Anytime one is planning to have surgery it is important to know how experienced the surgeon is, how many ultrasonic procedures he has done, if he is board certified in plastic surgery, is the operating facility properly equipped or is he doing it in an exam room setting, are there licensed personnel such as nurses and nurse anesthetists assisting him, does he have hospital privileges to perform liposuction and where. Most hospitals, university hospitals in particular, examine credentials very carefully before granting special privileges to staff physicians. A simple phone call to the hospital will verify his privileges even if the procedure is performed there.

Liposuction is safe and successful if the surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon and the patient is of normal weight with firm, elastic skin, and with pockets of excess fat limited to certain areas. Those with diminished skin elasticity will probably not achieve the same results as those with tighter skin.

Over many years doctors have developed various improvements and refinements to deliver more precise results with a quicker recovery time. The newest techniques include Internal and External Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty, the Tumescence and the "Super Wet" technique.

Here is how it works. Through a small incision in the skin, a narrow tube is inserted to vacuum fat that lies beneath the skin. As the tube is maneuvered back and forth through the fat, it breaks up the cells which are then suctioned away.

By injecting medicated solution into the fat before it is removed, doctors learned that they can make it easier to remove the fat, reduce blood loss as well as subsequent bruising and simultaneously provide critical anesthesia both during and after surgery. This Tumescent or "Super Wet" technique takes one to two hours per area and requires IV sedation. External Ultrasound uses a special skin paddle to produce ultrasonic energy throughout the area after fluid has been injected. The ultrasound waves help break down the fat cells making it easier and faster to suction them. Internal Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty uses a special cannula to produce ultrasonic energy as it passes through the fat breaking down and liquefying the fat cells. The fat is then suctioned out using the traditional liposuction technique. These techniques produce a smoother skin surface and a more even result.

One may not feel great after the surgery but most can see results immediately even with swelling (it usually takes four to six weeks before you can see the full result). After the third day the swelling begins to rapidly come down. Some can see continuing reduction for up to a year. To help skin shrink properly and keep the swelling down, one must wear an elastic type girdle or compression garment for several days. These compression garments are usually made of a quick drying material that allows one to shower and to soap up. Though techniques are less invasive, one may still experience temporary pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and numbness. The fluid that is injected continues to seep out over the first few days. Scars are minimal and are usually placed in creases or other hidden areas. Stitches are removed or dissolve on their own within about ten days, and most people return to a full schedule after that.

Liposuction won't fix everything. If you have cellulite (skin dimpling) you may have some of it afterwards. Skin with less tone may start to sag. There could be uneven or slightly rippled effects and overweight patients who have spot reduction may have contour irregularities and less than ideal skin reshaping in exchange for improving the way they look in clothing.

Millions have been happy with the results of liposuction. Hips and thighs are made thinner, double chins disappear, stomachs flatten and waists shrink. It is close to instant gratification in this "age of impatience". But remember, it is most successful for those who take the best care of themselves with a healthy diet and regular exercise. When you cannot exercise or diet a stubborn area away, this may by the only alternative that produces a permanent change.



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