Liposuction surgery is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery in the United States. More than a quarter of a million liposuctions were performed last year. It can be an effective means of removing excess body fat in healthy people, but cosmetic surgeons caution that liposuction should not be used as an alternative to diet and exercise.
The surgery consists of removing pockets of fat beneath the skins surface by inserting a hollow steel tube, called a cannula, into the affected area. Fat is then removed from the body by attaching a powerful vacuum to the cannula, which allows the cosmetic surgeon to work with localized areas. Heavy IV sedation, local anesthetics, or general anesthetics may be used on the patient during the surgery. Both patient and physician should carefully consider risks and benefits that come with any of these methods.
Choices, options and results can vary widely in this field. Doctors should make sure those who are overweight understand that liposuction is not magic. Liposuction is usually very effective in shaping the body in fat-prone areas such as the buttocks, hips, abdomen, chin, cheeks, neck and arms. According the American...