Liposuction: Is the Risk Worth the Benefit?

Liposuction is a very common and efficient cosmetic procedure to reshape your body. Liposuction is the removal of fat cells from the body through a cannula (Einstein Industries). A cannula is a stainless steel tube that suctions away fluid (Einstein Industries). Liposuction was the 2^nd most popular cosmetic surgery in 2008 with breast augmentation being number one (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). The average cost in 2008 was $2933 (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). There are many areas of the body that are treatable with liposuction. These include the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, hips, chin, neck, jowls, and flanks (Einstein Industries). Each of these areas will usually respond quite well. You are able to get more than one of these areas treated at a time because it is a pretty simple procedure.

If you are having multiple areas of the body done, it will be best for you to be under general anesthesia for the procedure; whereas if you elect to only do one body area local anesthesia will work fine (Einstein Industries). There are three main steps to the actual liposuction procedure. First, after the anesthesia has been given, an incision will be made (Einstein Industries). It is not a large incision according to Einstein Industries; it ranges from "a quarter to a third of an inch". The second step is the actual fat sucking; the surgeon will insert the cannula through the incision in to the layer of deep fat (Einstein Industries). The cannula will be moved around to break up the fat cells and then will be suctioned out. The third step is that the incisions will either be closed with a few stitches or if the doctor elects to leave them open, you will wear a compression garment similar to a girdle (Einstein Industries).

Recovery for liposuction is one to two weeks, but it does vary from patient to patient (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). During recovery the incisions will drain (Einstein Industries). This is normal! You will see some immediate results, but not the full effect (Einstein Industries). You should take showers instead of baths (Einstein Industries). This is due to infection control. You do not want bacteria to flow into the incisions. Some common discomforts may occur, such as swelling, bruising, and numbness (Einstein Industries). According to Einstein Industries after a few months all of the swelling will leave and you will be able to see the final results.

There are many risks associated with liposuction, but they are rare. Any person should take into consideration the possibility of infection, longer than normal healing times, allergic reactions, fat or blood clots that can lead to death, excessive fluid loss, fluid accumulation, friction burns, damage to the skin or nerves, damage to vital organs (Einstein Industries).

Even though the risks are rare occurrences, anyone considering liposuction should be aware of them and weigh their options. Is the surgery really worth it? The results are permanent, but you risk the possibility of being one of these rare cases (The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). You can in fact die from fluid loss, but also clots. If a clot goes to your heart or lungs the results are fatal.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, "2008 Statistics". The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Einstein Industries, "What is Liposuction? Information about the Procedure". DocShop

Einstein Industries, "What to Expect during Surgery". DocShop

Einstein Industries, "Recovery Time Period". DocShop

Einstein Industries, "Liposuction Results". DocShopEinstein Industries, "Dangers of Liposuction". DocShop