| Despite good health and a reasonable level of fitness, | | | | existing fat cells simply get bigger by accumulating |
| some people may still have a body with | | | | more fat within the existing cell. If the patient does |
| disproportionate contours due to localized fat | | | | not gain excessive amounts of weight, then the new |
| deposits. These areas may be due to family traits | | | | more pleasing silhouette is permanent. Of course |
| rather than a lack of weight control or fitness. | | | | after liposuction, the clock keeps ticking, and |
| Liposuction slims and reshapes specific areas of the | | | | advancing age will produce the usual changes in the |
| body by removing excess fat deposits, improving | | | | shape of the body associated with the aging process. |
| your body contours and proportion, and ultimately, | | | | Nevertheless, the benefits of liposuction will always |
| enhancing your self-image. | | | | be apparent. |
| Areas that can be addressed by liposuction are: | | | | Patients should not expect to lose a dramatic amount |
| abdomen and waist, hips and buttocks, back, upper | | | | of weight with liposuction. However, because fat is |
| arms, thighs, cheeks, chin, neck, calves and ankles. | | | | removed from cosmetically important areas, |
| Liposuction, also known as Liposculpture, Lipoplasty, | | | | liposuction should produce significant improvements in |
| or Suction-Assisted Lipectomy is a surgical technique | | | | aesthetic appearance. Although liposuction should not |
| that improves the body's contour by removing | | | | be regarded as a method for weight loss, in |
| excess fat from deposits located between the skin | | | | appropriate patients it can produce significant |
| and muscle. Liposuction involves the use of a small | | | | cosmetic improvements. |
| stainless steel tubes, called cannulas. The cannula is | | | | Most patients will see 90% of their ultimate |
| connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted | | | | liposuction results with in one to three months after |
| into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat | | | | surgery. For the first few weeks after surgery there |
| removal is accomplished as the suction cannula | | | | is postoperative swelling. The rate at which this |
| creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After | | | | swelling subsides is highly variable from patient to |
| surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse resulting in an | | | | patient. |
| improved body contour. | | | | The procedure can be done on an out-patient basis |
| After liposuction, the new body's shape is more or | | | | or as a hospital admission depending on the amount |
| less permanent. If a patient does gain a moderate | | | | of fat to be removed. This is usually done under |
| amount of weight after liposuction, then the figure | | | | sedation or general anesthesia depending on the |
| will simply be a larger version of the new body shape. | | | | extent of surgery. Bruising and swelling are expected |
| Contrary to popular belief, fat cells that are removed | | | | post-operatively. This usually subsides after several |
| by liposuction do not grow back. Liposuction removes | | | | weeks. |
| fat cells permanently. With a small weight gain, | | | | |