
Does liposuction work or not is a question that bothers many. This article tries to answer most of the questions related to this process.
We all crave for a perfectly shaped body. But the arms, thighs, and abdomen seem to be the favorite places of the body for depositing fat. Though there is no magic pill for removal of fat, there exists a kind of cosmetic surgery, which can be performed to remove fat from different parts of the body. The surgical procedure used to remove fat from different parts of the body, such as hips, flanks, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, backs of the arms, chin, etc., is known as liposuction. Doctors remove excess fat from your body during the surgery, and thus offer a more streamlined shape to your body. The answer to whether liposuction works or not is given in the following paragraphs.
Procedure
The neck, stomach, arms, thighs, and buttocks are the popular places of fat deposit. You must have heard about some celebrities opting for this procedure in order to look super skinny. With the help of strict diet and exercise programs, anyone can get rid of excess fat. But people love shortcuts! For those who want instant effects and for those who find it impossible to follow a diet and exercise routine, this is a good option. But after the surgery, they need to follow a balanced diet and exercise regimen in order to avoid fat deposition in the body. Only then, will the effects of the surgery last longer.
Fat is generally located underneath the skin. Gender, age, genetic factors, physical activity, and diet play an important role in determining the place of fat deposition. During this procedure, a very small incision is made at the targeted area, and a hollow tube (known as cannula) is inserted into the deep fat layer of the skin. Movement of the cannula breaks up fat cells. A suction device (known as aspirator) is used to remove the fat out of the body with suction. The fat is drawn through the tube. Stomach surgery, which is often accompanied by tummy tuck, is the most popular form of cosmetic surgery, and the entire process is done so carefully that no muscle, nerve, or skin part gets affected.
Remember, this process is never used to treat obesity. Usually, less than 10 lbs. of fat is removed surgically. The surgery is recommended for healthy patients in good shape. When weight-loss methods do not help get rid of excess fat, then only surgery is recommended. Removal of too much fat at once can lead to serious health hazards. You cannot ignore the side effects.
Does the Procedure Work for Cellulite?
The ‘bumpy’ fat deposits beneath the skin leading to skin dimpling and nodularity, are referred to as cellulite. Cellulite is mainly found in women on pelvic region, abdomen, lower limbs, etc. This operation does not help improve the appearance of cellulite. Hence, it is not recommended for cellulite removal or treatment. Moreover, it can make the appearance of cellulite worse. There are evidences, which show that the surgery can even cause cellulite in patients who did not have it prior to the surgery.
Does Laser Therapy Work?
During laser-assisted surgery of this type, low-level laser energy waves are focused on the selected part of the body. The waves pass through the skin, reach the fat cells underneath the skin, and break the membrane of these fat cells. The fat oozes out of the cells as a result of this procedure. Doctors then make a very small incision and insert the cannula, through which fat is sucked in a similar manner as in conventional procedure. Use of laser technology requires comparatively smaller incision. Patients experience less pain, swelling, and bruising. So, the recovery period is also shorter than the recovery period of conventional method. No pain medication is required after this operation. Within a few days, patients can return to normal activities.
Side Effects
Statistics show that about 500,000 such surgeries are performed in the United States each year. The procedure is quite expensive and the complications after the surgery often outweigh the benefits. For example, surgical removal of fat often results in lumpy skin. Swelling, bruising, and scars can affect the looks. In a few cases, side effects like fluid imbalance, skin damage or damage to an internal organ are also noticed. Such serious side effects can lead to blood clotting, and in rare cases can even prove to be fatal. You should discuss all the aspects of the procedure with the doctor before undergoing the surgery.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.