How Does Liposuction Work: 12 Amazing Facts

Human Being does everything they can to look beautiful, have appealing body shape, and have good bodies. To look slim and remove extra fat from the body, people undergo surgical procedures for fat removal from the body.

The surgical procedure for extra fat removal from the body is termed Liposuction. But how does liposuction work? Here is the complete explanation of liposuction ¹techniques, procedure, cost, and associated risks.

In short, Liposuction can be defined as a cosmetic procedure of fat removal from specific body areas like the abdomen, thighs, back, arms, neck, and buttocks. Liposuction works based on the suction technique. Liposuction removes the liquefied fat from various areas of the body.

The liposuction technique is opted for when there is an uneven fat distribution on specific body areas like:

• Upper arms
• Outer thighs
• Abdomen
• Back
• Buttocks
• Ankle
• Knee
• Neck

1. Concept of Fat Cells

In today’s world of fast life and fast food, all people gain weight easily, but when it comes to maintaining the ideal weight, we opt for exercise, walking, and gyms. But in a few cases, it becomes almost impossible to lose weight via these methods the people go for the liposuction process.

In the course of an increment in the weight of an individual, there is an increase in the number and volume of fat cells in the body.

Sometimes There are some stubborn fat globules, and exercise does not help lose weight. In this case, an individual has no choice other than liposuction surgeries. Liposuction removes the excess fat cells from specific parts of the body:

Sometimes, the fat removed depends on the amount and area of fat deposition in the body. It also depends on the appearance of the specific body area.

In the post-liposuction procedure, the body’s skin gets moulded into new contours. If one’s body skin is elastic and has a good tone, the skin will appear smooth. But how does liposuction work?

If the individual’s skin is thin and lacks elasticity, the skin might appear loose. It is to be noted the liposuction procedure does not remove the stretch marks from the skin.

2. Conditions when Liposuction Should not be Opted For

There are some specific medical conditions when an individual should avoid liposuction procedures:

• Coronary Artery Disease
• Diabetes
• Weak immune system
• Restricted Blood Flow
• Obsessed patients
• Serious health problems
• Pregnant women or nursing mothers

3. Who is the Best Candidate for Liposuction?

The patient must obtain approval from a board-certified cosmetic surgeon that he is fit to perform liposuction. The liposuction procedure is performed for overall weight loss of the body, and not for obesity. It is a dermatologic surgery² with subtle results.

The best candidate for undergoing liposuction is:

• Patient with good skin tone and elasticity
• Fat distribution and deposition that could not be removed by diet and exercise
• Patient with 25 body weight
• Over 18 years of age

4. Does Insurance Cover Liposuction Surgeries?

Most Health insurance plans vary, and most health plans do not hold responsibilities for the same. Hence, before opting for the liposuction procedures, have a proper conversation with your surgeon regarding the procedure costs and payments.

The most important question to be focussed on is who will pay or compensate if something goes wrong in the liposuction procedures.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons³, liposuction procedures cost around $3,500. However, these fees do not involve the cost of anaesthesia and others in liposuction plastic surgery.

5. Risks or Side Effects Associated with Liposuction

Be it a cosmetic surgery⁴ that enhances the body’s appearance; it is surgery. How does liposuction work, and what are the associated side effects? Therefore, there are a few side effects associated with liposuction, as listed below:

5.1. Contour Irregularities:

The skin might appear loose and wavy because of uneven fat tissue removal, the unusual healing process, and poor skin elasticity.

5.2. Fluid Accumulation:

Sometimes, fluid pockets might be formed under the skin after the surgery. However, the fluid accumulated can be drained out with the help of a needle.

5.3. Internal Puncture:

Though it is very rare, the cannula penetrating⁵ the body might puncture the internal organs of the body.

5.4. Infection:

Though it is very rare, the individual might catch skin infections.

5.5. Fat Embolism:

In some situations, the fat globules⁶ might break down and get trapped in blood vessels. These globules might travel to the brain and lungs along with the blood, leading to complications.

5.6. Numbness:

Sometimes the individual might feel permanent or temporary numbness in the body parts from where the fat gets removed.

5.7. Kidney and Heart problems:

Since liposuction techniques use suction techniques, it might lead to some life-threatening kidney and heart problems.

5.8. Lidocaine Toxicity:

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic administered during traditional liposuction to remove fat from the body’s fatty tissue. Although Lidocaine is generally safe, in some rare circumstances, it might cause toxicity leading to a severe medical emergency like a heart attack.

6. How to Prepare for a Liposuction Procedure?

When opting for surgery, be it cosmetic or life-saving surgery, the patient must be honest with his doctor or cosmetic surgeon. The individual must tell the doctor about the medical condition or if you are on any medications.

These factors might lead to complications in the surgery to remove fat. For instance, you might be recommended to stop taking Blood thinners or NSAIDs at least 2 weeks before the major surgery.

7. What to do Before the Procedure?

Before commencing the procedure, the surgeon marks the circles and lines on the body areas from which the fat must be removed via liposuction. The surgical team tries to make the patient comfortable, but there are some instances when the patient’s body does not respond well to the procedure.

The surgeon might click some photographs to compare the preoperative and postoperative appearance of the body parts from where the fat is removed.

8. Surgical Procedure

The procedure for liposuction includes various methods and techniques that can be approached for an effective fat suction from an individual’s body. Many people know that liposuction is a method to get rid of unwanted body fat but do they know how liposuction works?

Although there are various techniques for liposuction, it’s the surgeon’s job to decide which technique is suitable for his patient based on medical history. The liposuction procedure requires the patient to be positive and strong.

A few liposuction techniques are listed below.

8.1. Tumescent Liposuction:

This is the most common procedure for removing body fat via surgery. In this technique, the surgeon injects a salt sterile solution into the body that aids in removing fat tissues from the body.

Local Anesthesia to relieve pain and a drug to constrict the blood vessels are also injected into the patient’s body. However, these fluid mixtures might cause postoperative swelling and stiffness in the body.

8.2. Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction:

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is performed in association with the Tumescent Liposuction procedure. The surgeon needs to insert a metal rod. This metal rod emits ultrasonic energies under the skin, disrupting the fat cell walls. It makes the process easier.

8.3. Laser-Assisted Liposuction:

The Laser-Assisted liposuction procedure uses high-intensity laser light to remove fat from the body parts. The surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a laser fibre in the body through the small incision. The laser light emulsifies or loosens fat globules, and then the fat is removed using a cannula.

8.4. Power-Assisted Liposuction:

The powered liposuction technique involves using a cannula that moves back and forth and pulls out the fat more easily. This method causes less pain and swelling in the process. Powered Liposuction enables the surgeon to remove the fat more efficiently from smaller areas like upper arms, ankles, and knees.

9. During Procedure

Sometimes, the surgeon might administer general anaesthesia for patients’ well-being. During the whole surgery, the team continuously monitors the patient’s blood pressure, vitals, oxygen level, and heart rate throughout the procedure. The duration of the procedure entirely depends on the amount of fat that is to be removed.

After cosmetic surgery, the surgeon sometimes leaves the small incision open to let the extra fluid drain from the patient’s body.

The patient is advised to stay at the hospital for post-operative care and recovery observation, as told by the surgeon who performed the surgery.

10. Post-Operative Care

Post-operative swelling and pain are common in liposuction surgeries. The doctor advises the patient to rest for a few days before returning to work and should avoid exercising for a few weeks.

Liposuction results are long-lasting and effective if the patient takes a balanced diet. With diet and exercise, an individual can maintain good health.

Sometimes the doctor prescribes some antibiotics the patient needs to take for some time to prevent infection. Usually, people return to their daily routine in a few days to two weeks. But we should not forget that every human body has its own pace of recovery. Every person undergoing surgery worries about how liposuction works.

11. Patient’s Concern on How Liposuction Works?

The patient may be concerned about blood loss, surgical risks, and how many procedures are required for weight loss. Therefore, the patient may ask the following questions to the concerned surgeon:

• Will they have to wear bandages?
• When can the patient resume exercise?
• Is there any need to visit the doctor for follow-up sessions after the procedure?
• How will I reduce swelling?
• Will they have stitches?
• Will the stitches be removed after the procedure?

12. Few Risks Associated with Liposuction

• Instrumental burns
• Unsatisfactory skin moulds
• Nerves, muscles, or lung damage
• Inadequate fluid drainage via a thin tube
• Fluid accumulation
• Reaction to the General anaesthesia or fluid mixture

Liposuction reduces the uneven and extra fat from the human body via surgery, but no one can guarantee that the patient will never gain the weight again in a lifetime. However, with continuous exercise and a healthy diet, an individual can maintain health and body weight.

The surgeons perform liposuction as demanded by the patients to maintain their body shape and body contouring. But sometimes, during liposuction, there are chances of the formation of blood clots.

In some cases, these blood clots flow along with the blood and might reach the brain, heart, lungs, or other vital organs.

13. How Does Liposuction Work?

When opting for liposuction to get rid of extra and even fat from the body, the patient must be healthy and not have severe health complications that can affect the liposuction. The patient needs to contact the surgeon to learn about liposuction.

The surgeon marks the concerned body parts from when the fat needs to be removed. While operating on the patient to perform liposuction, the patient is administered anaesthesia to reduce the pain sensation during the procedure.

The surgeon administers the patient a solution that breaks down the fat globules into smaller particles to ease fat removal from the body. The vitals of the patient are monitored continuously throughout the procedure.

After successfully administering anaesthesia and fluid, the surgeon cuts the concerned body part with the scalpel. After that, the doctor inserts a thin tube or cannula into the specific body part via that small cut.

The fluid injected into the patient’s body loosens fat globules. Through this thin tube, the fluid and the loosened fat cells are suctioned out of the body. This is called liposuction.

14. Conclusion

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that removes extra fat from specific body parts like arms, thighs, back, neck, buttocks, etc. The procedure of liposuction is risky and tricky. But the results are mostly long-lasting. The person can observe his leaner body in a few weeks. It does not take much time to recover.

Generally, it takes a maximum of 2 weeks for a person to return to his daily routine after successful liposuction surgery.

However, liposuction surgery has some risks, including swelling, infection, allergy, etc.

Also, check out Top Foot skincare tips on health.

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Last Updated on July 29, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology