Liposuction

You may have been struggling with weight loss all your life. Despite dieting and endless visits to the swimming pool and the gym there may still be areas of your body that have excess fat that you think are unsightly and make you ashamed to go to the beach. If you really have tried everything natural possible and your GP has all but given up advising you and recommending dieting techniques, you may make a good candidate for liposuction. Sometimes, this procedure can be carried out on the NHS, but you have to prove that you are psychologically affected by the fact that you are carrying this excess fat and you have tried everything to rid yourself of it.

What is Liposuction?

Characteristics of Liposuction

• Liposuction is one form of cosmetic surgery. It is used to eliminate unwanted fat. The operation has other names such as suction-assisted lipectomy and liposculpture.
• Liposuction is usually performed on parts of the body where fat deposits have a tendency to collect, such as around the hips, buttocks, stomach and thighs. This is considered to be a cosmetic procedure as it is performed to improve your outer appearance and not correct health conditions.
• Liposuction does not permanently remove fat cells. Although it will change your body shape, the results are not long lasting if uncontrolled food and drink consumption means weight is put back on.

Liposuction does not treat obesity, and it does not eliminate stretch marks or cellulite.  The amount of fat that is possible to be removed from a particular area is determined by what is safe. This is generally a maximum of 3 litres or if there is no more fat left to remove. It might be impossible to slim an area as much as you would really like and more treatment may need to be carried out after six months in the same area.  In some situations, the skin becomes loose and inelastic. Liposuction will tend to have a particular effect on these areas that will mean the skin becomes looser. Your surgeon may recommend a skin excision to correct this. This could take place at the same appointment as the liposuction. This is most common in the stomach area, after weight loss after pregnancy, or weight loss or in the neck or buttocks.

There are conditions that liposuction can treat, which include lymphoedema. This is a condition that occurs when fluid has accumulated within the body tissue.

Gynaecomastia is another condition, which occurs when fatty swellings have developed beneath a man’s nipples.

Liposuction Does Cost Money

As liposuction is cosmetic surgery it can incur expense and it takes up time, too. It is important to consider other natural options first before resorting to liposuction. This basically involves making lifestyle changes to remove unwanted fat and not use surgical techniques.

If you decide to choose liposuction and you are absolutely sure about your reasons for wanting it and your GP has told you that you won’t get any help from the NHS, then you should expect to have at least £3,000 to cover the procedure. The more fat you want removed, the more it will cost. However, it is important that the procedure is carried out by a fully qualified and recognised UK surgeon. If you know anyone who has had the procedure done before and they are happy with the work then that is a good way to start the ball rolling. Make sure you get a detailed quote from the hospital or surgeon first and you agree to the amount.

Once you have chosen the surgeon you should thoroughly discuss the procedure before the work is commenced. You should ask questions such as how the work is carried out, what to expect afterwards and any possible side effects and recovery time once the procedure has been complete.

How Liposuction is Performed

Your chosen surgeon will perform certain tasks first. These include injecting the selected area with a solution that contains a medication and an anaesthetic and also the breaking up fat cells through the use of high-frequency vibrations.

As soon as the specified area has been correctly prepared, a small incision is made. Several may need to be made if there is an extensive area that needs to be treated. A suction tube is used to suck out the surplus fat after being inserted carefully through the incision. This process then removes the surplus fat.

Liposuction is normally performed using a general anaesthetic, but a local anaesthetic or in certain cases, an epidural anaesthetic, is used.

Recovery and Risks

Once the operation has been completed the area that has been treated will be stitched up and bandaged. It might be necessary to wear elastic compression clothes for awhile afterwards to help reduce any swelling. If a general anaesthetic has been used it may be necessary to remain in hospital overnight.

It normally takes around two weeks for a full recovery to take place but to be able to observe noticeable results it may take up to six months.

There are some risks that you should be aware of associated with liposuction, which could include infection, bruising, numbness and scarring.

If you believe that liposuction is right for you and you are seeking an experienced UK cosmetic surgeon then you will find one at www.anyclinics.co.uk.