LIPOSUCTION
People who undergo liposuction usually have a stable body weight but would like to remove undesirable deposits of body fat in specific parts of the body.
Liposuction is not an overall weight-loss method. It is not a treatment for obesity.
The procedure does not remove cellulite, dimples, or stretch marks. The aim is esthetic. It suits those who wish to change and enhance the contour of their body.
Liposuction permanently removes fat cells, altering the shape of the body. However, if the patient does not lead a healthy lifestyle after the operation, there is a risk that the remaining fat cells will grow bigger.
The amount of fat that can be safely removed is limited.
There are some risks, including infection, numbness, and scarring. If too much fat is removed, there may be lumpiness or dents in the skin. The surgical risks appear to be linked to the amount of fat removed.
Benefits
Liposuction is normally done for cosmetic purposes, but it is sometimes used to treat certain conditions.
These include:
- Lymphedema: A chronic, or long-term, condition in which excess fluid known as lymph collects in tissues, causing edema, or swelling. The edema commonly occurs in the arms or legs. Liposuction is sometimes used to reduce swelling, discomfort, and pain.
- Gynecomastia: Sometimes fat accumulates under a man’s breasts.
- Lipodystrophy syndrome: Fat accumulates in one part of the body and is lost in another. Liposuction can improve the patient’s appearance by providing a more natural looking body fat distribution.
- Extreme weight loss after obesity: A person with morbid obesity who loses at least 40 percent of their BMI may need treatment to remove excess skin and other abnormalities.
- Lipomas: These are benign, fatty tumors.