How to Decide if Liposuction is Right for You

By Sherril Steele-Carlin

Liposuction is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery in the U.S. In fact, of the nearly 8.3 million cosmetic procedures completed in the U.S. in 2003, 384,626 people had this surgical procedure to remove localized fatty deposits and "sculpt" their bodies.

How is Liposuction Performed?

A surgical wand, called a cannula, is inserted through a small incision into a fatty area and removes the unwanted fat cells with suction, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). A medicated fluid injection into the target area before the procedure helps eliminate the fat more easily. It also reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia before and during the surgery.

Three Methods of Liposuction

There are various ways to perform liposuction. Tumescent liposuction uses large volumes of medicated fluid injected into the fatty area, sometimes as much as three times as the fat to be removed. This process takes longer (four to five hours) than traditional liposuction, but it is the safest form of liposuction, and offers a much quicker recovery.

Another form of liposuction is internal ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty, in which a titanium cannula is passed through a large incision into the fatty deposit. Ultrasonic energy is sent through the cannula to implode the walls of the fat cells. The liquefied fat is then removed through the wand. This method is riskier due to the threat of burns.

Another approach for larger people, or more areas of fat deposits, is called external ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty (UAL). This procedure uses high-frequency sound waves that are massaged through the skin to soften, separate and liquefy fat. Because the external UAL procedure utilizes sound waves that are massaged through the skin, there are no big incisions, no stitches and no restrictions. Another form, internal UAL, requires the ultrasonic waves to pass through a larger probe, which can get hot and can easily burn the patient.

Who's Best Suited for Liposuction?

The best candidates for liposuction are normal-weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of excess fat in certain areas, according to the ASPS. The society also says candidates should be physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in his or her expectations.

And although the cosmetic effect after liposuction may be good, it’s possible that the effect will not be what you expected, warns the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

If you’re considering liposuction as a way to lose weight, the FDA advises first changing your diet and exercise regimen. Liposuction should be considered as a way to eliminate fat that won’t disappear with diet or exercise; it's simply not for the obese.

Make an informed choice about liposuction and it could be just the right medical procedure to make you feel better about yourself!

Planning Ahead

After you have a thorough understanding of the procedure, and you've decided to undergo liposuction, the FDA advises you to:

Arrange for transportation to and from your appointment
Plan to take a few days to recover
Expect some pain and discomfort
Know when to seek help. Make sure you know the signs of complications after liposuction.

After liposuction surgery, there will likely be some bruising and fluid drainage from the incisions, says the ASPS. To control swelling and help your skin better fit your new contours; you may be given a snug elastic garment to wear over the treated area for a few weeks. In addition, plastic surgeons may prescribe a pain medication and antibiotics to minimize the risk of infection.

Finally, understand that you’ll see immediate results, but the areas continue to improve over many months.

How to Find the Right Liposuction Surgeon

Consider these tips from the FDA and the ASPS on finding the right liposuction surgeon to perform a liposuction procedure:

Ask questions. Be sure you understand what happens during surgery and what you can expect. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask hard questions about the procedure or the physician’s experience with liposuction.
Be wary of advertisements that say or imply that you will have a perfect appearance after liposuction.
Don’t base your decision simply on cost, and remember you don’t have to settle for the first doctor or procedure you investigate. The decision you make about liposuction surgery is an important one, but not one that you must make right away.
Ask your prospective doctors how and where they have been trained, and if they are board certified. While board certification is not a guarantee that the surgeon is a better surgeon than a non-board-certified doctor, it does mean that he or she has met certain qualifications set forth by medical peers in the same field.
Steer clear of any doctor who pressures you. Do not feel that just because you spoke with a physician about the procedure that you must go through with it. Take your time to decide whether liposuction is right for you. Although risks are low, you should ask yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks.