Liposuction
Liposuction is ideal for women and men who are of relatively normal weight
but have isolated pockets of fat that cause certain areas of their body to appear disproportionate to the rest of the body. These localized fat deposits may sometimes be an inherited trait and typically do not respond to dieting or exercise.
Liposculpture works best when skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour following fat removal. When skin is inelastic, as in some older patients, it may not redrape well and a skin tightening procedure such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) may be necessary.
The most common areas treated in women are thighs (outer, inner and circumferential), abdomen, hips, buttocks, arms, knees, back, neck and axillae. Menoften have the abdomen, love handles or breasts (gynaecomastia) treated.
Liposuction should not be considered as a substitute for an overall weight loss and a healthy lifestyle which includes good diet and exercise. Nor is it an effective treatment for cellulite, a condition that gives the skin an uneven, dimpled appearance. Alternative treatments may be considered, in some instances, to improve this problem.
Liposuction removes fat cells permanently. With weight gain fat cells increase in size rather than multiply. Therefore, if a person gains weight after liposculpture it will not usually return to the area suctioned since these fat cells have been removed and cannot increase in size. Fat cells in other areas, however, can still increase in size.
Liposuction can be performed on several areas of the body at the same time, and it can also be done in conjunction with other aesthetic plastic surgery procedures.