Liposuction or Lipoplasty is a surgical procedure in which excessive fat or ‘lipo’ collections are removed from specific areas of body by ‘suction’. It slims and reshapes specific areas of the body by removing excess fat deposits, improves body contours, proportion, and ultimately, improving self-image. Hence, it is more aptly addressed as “liposculpting” also. Currently, liposuction is the most commonly performed surgery in the world making it the most potent tool for emerging victorious in "the battle of the bulge" now existent worldwide.

Fat Removed after Liposuction

Liposuction is a simple & safe surgical procedure, anybody healthy and having tried exercise, dieting but failed, can undergo liposuction. Though it is possible to undergo liposuction at almost any age, best results can be obtained if one’s skin still has enough elasticity to achieve a smooth contour following fat removal. Inelastic skin as in some older patients or after multiple childbirths may not recover well only with liposuction, making a skin tightening procedure (like abdominoplasty / thigh lift) inevitable for better results. Liposuction may be performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, arms, buttocks, back, neck, face or enlarged male breast (gynecomastia).

A session of liposuction may include more than one site, for instance, the abdomen, back, and thighs all on the same day. Women and men who are overweight or of relatively normal weight but having isolated fat pockets causing certain areas of their body to appear disproportionate, are particularly well suited to liposuction. Resistant areas like belly, back and side bags are routinely done. These localized fat deposits may at times be inherited traits that normally are impervious to dieting or exercise. However, whether the fat is localized or dispersed making the person overweight or obese, in any case, one should not fall prey to appealing advertisements claiming “X” kg guaranteed weight loss in countable days without any exercise or dietary restrictions. People tend to consider that these outlets can work against Newton’s Law of motion and get a desired weight or shape passively, without any effort. However in due course of time they feel cheated as such mighty claims fall flat. It’s an established fact that weight gain occurs only when the input of calories increases the output. It should be borne in mind that there is no short cut for weight loss other than by reducing the input / diet or by increasing the output by way of regular exercise regime to burn those extra calories unless there is some hormonal imbalance underplaying, which again demands medical attention. So, doing “nothing” would reduce “nothing” only, both theoretically and practically, no matter what any on brags. However, the notion that liposuction is a low-effort alternative to exercise and diet for weight reduction is also not justified. Any weight loss method enfolds an innate fear of weight gain. Contrary to normal apprehensions, liposuction is done for nearly permanent reduction of ‘resistant’ fat spots. The rationale behind no regain of removed fat unlike other weight reduction processes is that an individual is born with certain fixed number of fat cells which do not increase in number but only in size with age. Once liposuction removes considerable number of fat cells they cannot regenerate again and account for fat increase. Frequently liposuction is also used very efficiently to treat a condition called gynecomastia or male breast enlargement, showing aesthetically better results with minimal scarring, rapid healing due to least incision compared to open surgery.

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Before & After Images Below

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Liposuction is reportedly also beneficial in overweight diabetic patients also wherein excessive weight gain poses a greater demand for insulin and thus deteriorating the physical condition of the patient. In fact, loss of fat or weight by liposuction can tremendously help the diabetics since weight is reduced, insulin resistance is decreased; this all is obtained by minimal incisions, least chances of infection and remotest probability of weight gain. 

Liposuction is performed through small, inconspicuous incisions using negative pressure of nearly minus one atmosphere. Such extremely low-pressure enables the fat cells to change from solid form to vaporized form, which can be suctioned out using very fine cannulae by minimal scarring. Several different liposuction procedures exists like Tumescent Technique & Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) which is the most common type of liposuction involving injecting a large amount of medicated solution into the areas before the fat is removed. The fluid is a mixture of local anesthetic, a drug (Adrenaline) that contracts the blood vessels and an intravenous salt solution. Another, but an almost outdated technique is the Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction(UAL). This technique differs from power assisted technique in that the energy from ultrasound waves is used to lose out the fat cells. It helps remove fat from dense, fiber-filled (fibrous) areas of the body such as the upper back or enlarged male breast tissue. Though it makes process easier for the surgeon, it is generally not preferred due to greater chances of skin necrosis & complications.  

However, Tumescent liposuction with PAL is the number one surgical procedure worldwide owing to its various advantages namely that it can be performed even under local anesthesia, while minimizing blood loss and prolonged pain control besides providing smoother results, fewer complications, and faster recovery. Whichever technique is preferred by surgeon depending on the circumstances, overall liposuction is a very simple procedure involving bare minimum risks and chances of error. Depending on the extent of the liposuction, patients are generally able to return to work or school between two days and two weeks. 

Liposuction should not be considered as  only a physical or aesthetic demand but also a professional demand as in case of actors, live performers etc where ‘only looks matter’. One will definitely appreciate that liposuction can help increase performance levels, quality boosting confidence or economic significance as in case of performers who have had liposuction on medial thighs, flanks or lower abdomen.  Liposuction assumes utmost importance for Indians considering their genetic predisposition to typical patterns of weight gain like Double chin, Belly Bags, Saddle Bags or Hip Bags. The best part is that these specific areas like lower belly, neck, and conditions like gynecomastia, can be treated on a day care basis and individual can be at their home after 3-4 hrs without wasting the resources of individual or attendants. Considering the ways liposuction touches life of people it can be summarized that it is not merely vanity of rich and hyper aesthetically tense newer generation but a necessity for overweight and disproportionate persons, underlying reasons behind which can be varied.

Though liposuction can be considered as a full proof method of surgery; involving as many complications as in reading this write-up. But the basic surgical challenge of any liposuction procedure is to remove the right amount of fat from right plane, causing the least disturbance of neighboring tissue, such as blood vessels and connective tissue, disturbing the person’s fluid balance least and minimizing the discomfort to both the patient and the surgeon. The amount of fat removed varies by doctor, method, and patient, but is typically less than 6-8 kgs. However, there are several factors that limit the amount of fat that can be safely removed in one session. Regarding plane its better if fat is removed from plane lower than 0.5cm of skin. Ultimately, the operating physician and the patient make the decision. There are negative aspects to removing too much fat and from a wrong plane like unusual "lumpiness" and/or "dents" in the skin.

The results of liposuction depend on many factors many of which are not entirely within the control of the surgeon or the patient like physical condition, genetic makeup and skin elasticity besides the skill of the surgeon. Some factors within the control are wearing a pressure garment over the area for 3-4 months, which can hasten recovery and improve results. 

Whether the decision to undergo a surgery is some physical or professional compulsion or an urge for a better look one should be well informed about the pros and cons of the surgery. The patient must have realistic expectations and it comes flowing that satisfaction to the liposuction is closely tied to expectations. Therefore, before embarking on the surgery itself one should ask questions, read and understand the pre-operative preparations, its risks, alternatives, benefits, the liposuction procedure, the convalescence and post-operative care. One should not rely on any “before or after” photograph studded advertisements or big names or claims and should be very cautious while finalizing one’s surgeon. Reading about celebrities like Demi Moore, Britney Spears who underwent liposuctions one should not worry about robbing off one’s pocket of whopping amount as, back home, also we have excellent facilities available now with proven record for best care and results. On close scrutiny one can note wide range of choices for proper selection of the place and experts for the surgery considering factors like vicinity, availability, credentials, duration and of course the cost of liposuction. Therefore, an informed and calculated decision should be made whether liposuction suits one’s needs and purpose and whether one is willing to take the risks of undergoing liposuction for its benefits and choosing the surgeon. Most informed patients are satisfied with the cosmetic result of their surgery and understand that there are limits to what liposuction can accomplish and like other cosmetic manipulations liposuction is an amalgamation of science and art.  

LIPOSUCTION FOR GYNAECOMASTIA (Male Breast enlargement)

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•       - Excess or sagging abdominal skin (specially after child birth)
•       - An abdomen that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of your body
•       - Abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened (specially after child birth)
•       - Excess fat that is concentrated in your abdomen      
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