Types of Weight Loss Surgery: Examining the Possibilities — Liposuction
Although surgery for weight loss should be a last resort — after diet, exercise, and chemical and hormonal adjustments have been deemed unsuccessful by a licensed medical professional — it’s important to know what the different options are so you can make an informed decision. In a three-part series, we’ll examine some of the most common weight loss surgeries used today.
LIPOSUCTION
What is liposuction and who can perform it?
Liposuction, also called lipoplasty, is a surgical cosmetic procedure in which fat is removed from the body by sucking it out through a needle-like tube called a cannula. It should be performed only by a professional, generally a plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Any licensed physician can technically perform liposuction.
You can have liposuction on pretty much any body part where you want to remove fat and create a sculpted appearance. Popular sites include the stomach, butt, hips, and thighs. Liposuction is believed by many to be the most popular cosmetic procedure in the US (but I suspect that it’s being edged out by botox and collagen injections).
Even though people consider liposuction a good way to lose weight, it really is a cosmetic procedure. Usually, less than 10 lbs of fat is removed during standard liposuction. It’s more about shaping, sculpting, and contouring than weight loss — and it’s not a permanent solution.
Are there different types of liposuction?
There are a number of approaches and techniques for liposuction, and your physician can help you figure out the best one for you. They all involve sucking out fat, but there are a variety of tools and methods available. One new and particularly controversial form of psuedo-liposuction is Lipodissolve, which I have posted about previously.
Who is a good candidate for liposuction?
Adults (18 years or older) with good general health (eg, no heart problems or diabetes) who want to get rid of a stubborn 10 or 15 lbs or a concentrated area of fat deposit like the stomach or hips are folks who are best suited for liposuction. Because you’re literally vacuuming the fat from under the skin, this is a very localized procedure that affects only the section that’s suctioned. In other words, it’s not like diet and exercise, which reduce overall body fat. People who smoke or are severely overweight are not good candidates for liposuction. Younger age generally means more elastic skin, which will adjust quickly to the change in body shape.
What are the benefits of liposuction?
Liposuction is a relatively quick solution to get rid of stubborn fat or shape a particular area of the body with minimal effort.
What are the risks of liposuction?
As with any procedure that requires anesthesia, there are serious risks to liposuction. Aside from the anesthesia, risks and side effects include:
- Painful bruising and swelling after the surgery
- Numbness at the surgical site
- Scarring
- Infections
- Damage to internal organs (eg, by being punctured by the cannula)
- Uneven or lumpy/bumpy appearance
- Excess skin
Only by talking with your doctor can you determine the full range of risks and side effects.
Sources
- US Food & Drug Administration - Liposuction Information
- Wikipedia - Liposuction
- Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery - Liposuction
- Lipoinfo.com
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons - Liposuction
- Liposuction.com
- Weight Loss Surgery, What Are Your Options?
YOUR TURN
Have you undergone liposuction, or do you know someone who has? Tell your liposuction story in the comments. Please use good common sense in regard to naming doctors or facilities — the Internet is not anonymous, even though your comment may be.
Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King
Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, weight loss surgery, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, liposuction, lipoplasty, what is liposuction, who can perform liposuction, who should get liposuction, what are the benefits of liposuction, what are the risks of liposuction, liposuction success stories, liposuction horror stories, lively women, kristen king
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6 opinions for Types of Weight Loss Surgery: Examining the Possibilities — Liposuction
Saul
May 19, 2008 at 5:28 am
I’m glad that you made the point that liposuction is not really a weight loss surgery. Many people have the misconception that they will lose weight by having the fat removed. This is not really the case. As you state, liposuction is only meant to reshape parts of the body that you may not be happy with how they appear. Liposuction is becoming quite common for women to do after they have finished having kids, and many women seem to think it is a good strategy for losing some extra pounds they gained during pregnancy. As an obstetrician, I have had to tell patients on many occasions that it is not a good strategy for losing the “baby weight”.
Thanks for an informative post.
Diane
May 22, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I think liposuction should be used more for spot treatment of tough areas that people can’t remove by diet or exercise alone. I don’t think it should be considered a weight loss surgery at all. I have had actual WLS - an RNY gastric bypass. There’s a HUGE difference between gastric bypass and liposuction…mainly a lifetime of changes that have to be followed with dangerous consequences if they are not.
liposuction
May 26, 2008 at 11:26 am
even the best-screened patients under the care of the experienced and best-trained physicians may experience complications from liposuction treatments.
Peter Belisi
May 30, 2008 at 6:57 pm
OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
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